A number of years ago, the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) was asked to find uses for by-products left over from processing orange and other citrus juices. The department found that the by-product d-limonene could be used as an effective solvent, often replacing petroleum solvents in many applications.
d-Limonene is the major component of the oil extracted from citrus rind. When citrus fruits are juiced, the oil is pressed out of the rind. This oil is separated from the juice and distilled to recover certain flavor and fragrance compounds.The bulk of the oil is left behind and collected and is food graded-limonene. After the juicing process, the peels are conveyed to a steam extractor. This extracts more of the oil from the peel. When the steam is condensed, a layer of oil floats on the surface of the condensed water. This is technical grade d-limonene.
d-limonene is a renewable chemical with numerous and growing applications. Much of the product goes into industrial uses, but the largest growth segment has been in cleaning products. Uses for d-Limonene have expanded dramatically. It is used in paints, fragrance additives, cooling fluids, down hole oil well fluid and other specialty products. The largest growth segment has been in the cleaning products industry. It can now be found in hundreds of cleaning products in the industrial and institutional product markets.
d-Limonene as a straight solvent can replace many undesirable and dangerous solvents such as mineral spirits, methyl ethyl ketone, acetone, toluene, xylene and most of the chlorinated solvents. It makes a great tar and asphalt remover when combined with a special surfactant that makes rinsing easier. d-Limonene alone is not water soluble; therefore, to be used as a detergent or carpet spotter, it must be mixed with an emulsifier.
d-Limonene does not contain any ozone depleting chemicals but is currently regulated as a VOC. From a personal safety standpoint, d-limonene citrus is a much safer product than most other solvents. It is much less toxic than mineral spirits. d-Limonene has been classified as a slight skin irritant, but it is not carcinogenic or mutagenic. The VOC status of the product is being evaluated for possible exclusion. d-Limonene is listed as a non-toxic chemical in TSCA (Toxic Substances Control Act) and is not regulated by the Clean Air Act.
d-Limonene evaporates very slowly, unlike many other solvents, which can create problems if improperly used. Additionally, because it is a natural product, availability (and cost) can vary tremendously depending on crop failures, etc.
d-Limonene is used in several Bane-Clene, Chemspec and Pro’s Choice spotters and detergents distributed by Bane-Clene.
NOTE: All citrus-based products and spotters will dissolve foam blocks! Be sure to rinse thoroughly after use!
Citrus based spotters dissolve and suspend petroleum based spots from carpets, rugs and upholstery.
Related Products in the Bane-Clene Store:
- Citrus APS™ Spotter
- Power Gel by Pro’s Choice
- Pro-Solve Gel Spot and Stain Remover by Pro’s Choice
- Pro-Solve Liquid Solvent Spotter by Pro’s Choice
- Saf-T-Solv™ Dry Volatile Spotter
- Spot & Stain Removal DVD Set by Bane-Clene’s Chemist
- Spotting Kit for Professional Carpet Cleaners by Pro’s Choice