Unfamiliar Sanitizer - Savon Chlor

[JerryF]

I use k-meta for most things but I've been wanting to try star san for my racking tubes, thief, etc. When I went into our local winemaking supply store, they didn't have any but instead gave me a sample of Savon Chlor - a light blue powder mixed 1 tsp per gallon. It can be used for soaking or put into a spray bottle for application (their comments). I was advised there was no need to rinse after applying and drying. Firstly, I've never heard of this stuff and can't easily find anything on the internet other than it must be some kind of chlorine-based soap. One thing I'm worried about ... the stuff has a very strong smell of chlorine and even when mixed at the ratio suggested, there is still a slight chlorine smell to it. I'd prefer to use the star san or maybe even just k-meta for EVERYTHING (as long as I rinse). Does anyone know anything about this stuff, ever heard of it or ever used it? Wouldn't hurt my feelings to just toss it. Jerry

 

[GreginND]

I have never heard of Savon Chlor but 'savon' in french means soap. The one thing that pops up when I do a search is chlorhexadine which is not an elemental chlorine based product. It is a urea based antibacterial used for medicinal purposes. It has chlorine atoms in the structure but bound in a very different way that is not at all like chlorine bleaches.

But I don't know that that is what you have. Can you provide more information? Brand name, UPC code, company, any identifying information?

By the way, I think an acidulated k-meta solution should be fine for most needs. And in my opinion rinsing afterwards should not be a problem.

 

[TonyP]

I'd wonder about any supply shop that doesn't carry Star San. There are other options out there like iodine-based products if you want something different. Also, you mention rinsing, but there is no need to rinse either Star San or k-meta in proper solutions. I'd stick with those two.

 

[cpfan]

I'd wonder about any supply shop that doesn't carry Star San.

It's a while since I've looked seriously, but Star San has not been available in Canada. When I ran a store (up til Sept 2007, so somewhat out-of-date), none of my distributors carried it.

Steve

 

[TonyP]

It's a while since I've looked seriously, but Star San has not been available in Canada. When I ran a store (up til Sept 2007, so somewhat out-of-date), none of my distributors carried it.

Steve

Steve, good point. I usually forget that many in home wine making are in Canada. (I think modern home wine making started there.) Yes, I've heard before that Star San is not sold locally in Canada. Any idea why?

 

[cpfan]

Steve, good point. I usually forget that many in home wine making are in Canada. (I think modern home wine making started there.) Yes, I've heard before that Star San is not sold locally in Canada. Any idea why?

My guess is that nobody (manufacturer/importers) can be bothered to spend the time/money getting it certified by the Canadian government. Not that I know what certification it would need.

Steve

 

[JerryF]

Steve, good point. I usually forget that many in home wine making are in Canada. (I think modern home wine making started there.) Yes, I've heard before that Star San is not sold locally in Canada. Any idea why?

There were also several "Brew-in-Store" shops that I checked and none of them carried Star San either so the access in Canada issue appears to still exist and it probably has something to do with the archaic rules about so-called food grade products. A "certification" would probably take somewhere between 10-15 years to get. Doesn't seem worth it to me. Living on the U.S./Canada border, I can get star san online (e-bay) for a very good price ($15 U.S. for 32 oz.) and have it here in 2 days. I'm okay with using just the k-meta and don't see why I couldn't mix some into a little spray bottle for a quick spray down and not even worry about having to rinse it off afterwards. Just wanted to try something different and the star san seemed to be the most recommended.

Thanks all. I think I'll just toss this stuff and wait for my star san to get here.

Jerry

 

[jswordy]

U.S.EPA Toxic Substances Control Act lists a chloralene savon made by Synarome Corporation. That's all I could find.

 

[JerryF]

U.S.EPA Toxic Substances Control Act lists a chloralene savon made by Synarome Corporation. That's all I could find.

I can't imagine that anything listed on a toxic substance list would ever find its way to approved use as a sanitizer for human consumption. Found a similar reference in the Canadian Environmental Protection Act. I'm really uncertain anyway that's what I've got. I just now ordered a 32oz. container of star san and it'll be here on Friday.

 

[JDC]

Most Sanitizers will be on a "toxic" list

The two active ingredients of Star San are Dodecylbezensulfuric Acid & Phosphoric Acid. Both of which are listed as toxic substances.

 

[TonyP]

The two active ingredients of Star San are Dodecylbezensulfuric Acid & Phosphoric Acid. Both of which are listed as toxic substances.

Yes, it's interesting that the Star San Product Tech Sheet from Five Star Chemicals says, "harmful if swallowed" and "avoid contamination of food." I know Phosphoric Acid is non-toxic when diluted but full strength will remove rust from car bumpers.

 

[GreginND]

I'm a chemist and see all kinds of "warnings". The best one was on a large plastic tub. The warning label was 2 long paragraphs describing all the ways you can get cancer and die from the substance, how dangerous it is to inhale, etc. etc. . . .

The product?

Washed Sea Sand

Everything is toxic in some amount.

 

[jswordy]

I'm a chemist and see all kinds of "warnings". The best one was on a large plastic tub. The warning label was 2 long paragraphs describing all the ways you can get cancer and die from the substance, how dangerous it is to inhale, etc. etc. . . .

The product?

Washed Sea Sand

Everything is toxic in some amount.

If you use it to sandblast and do not protect your lungs, you can die of silicosis.

As far as hazardous substances, ummm, we are actually producing this:
http://www.nafaa.org/ethanol.pdf

This is why I when people start going batty about "natural wine" not wanting to put anything "chemical" in their wine. It's really quite humorous when you consider the chemical being produced!