Substituting Clarify-Wash Powder for Liquid: Dilution Calculation and pH Adjustment
Question
I mistakenly ordered Clarify-Wash™ Powder (Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate) instead of the required Clarify-Wash™ 35 Liquid (Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate 35%). I need to prepare 4 kg of the equivalent liquid product.
Please provide the exact ratio and amounts (in grams/kilograms) of Clarify-Wash™ Powder and water needed to achieve the 35% active matter concentration of the liquid product. Also, please advise on any critical formulation steps, such as pH adjustment, necessary when using the powder form.
Answer
Yes, you can use Clarify-Wash™ Powder (Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate) (ID: 7757) as a substitute for Clarify-Wash™ 35 Liquid. Both products contain the same active ingredient (Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate), but they differ in concentration.
Substitution Calculation
The goal is to dilute the powder to match the 35% active matter concentration of the liquid product.
- Clarify-Wash™ Powder (ID: 7757): Active Matter (AM) is 90%.
- Clarify-Wash™ 35 Liquid (Desired): Active Matter (AM) is 35%.
To create a solution with 35% active matter, you need to mix the powder with water at the following ratio:
| Ingredient | Percentage by Weight |
|---|---|
| Clarify-Wash™ Powder (90% AM) | 38.9% |
| Water (Distilled/Deionized) | 61.1% |
| Total | 100.0% |
Amount for 4kg
If you need to prepare 4 kg of the 35% liquid equivalent, you should use the following amounts:
- Clarify-Wash™ Powder (ID: 7757): $4,000 \text{ g} \times 0.389 = \mathbf{1,556 \text{ grams}}$ (1.56 kg)
- Water (Distilled/Deionized): $4,000 \text{ g} \times 0.611 = \mathbf{2,444 \text{ grams}}$ (2.44 kg)
- Total: 4,000 grams (4 kg)
Important Note on pH
The product description for Clarify-Wash™ Powder states that it has a high pH (8-11). When you dissolve the powder in water, the resulting solution will also have a high pH.
CRITICAL STEP: You must adjust the pH of your final formula to the recommended range of pH 5-6 using a pH adjuster (e.g., Citric Acid or Lactic Acid) to ensure the formula is as gentle on the skin as possible. Failure to adjust the pH can cause skin and hair irritation.
