What's sitting inside car care products? Well, it's not exactly rose water, is it?
Now that the humorous opener is behind us, let's get to the point. Even if you only periodically use vehicle care products, you should read their labels, instructions for use or compositions. A step further, while also being a real introduction to chemical knowledge, is the MSDS. Why? It is not only about knowledge, but also about health and safety.
For starters, let's unravel this mysterious acronym. MSDS stands for Material Safety Data Sheet. It is a document that details the chemicals used in detailing products, including their composition, physical and chemical properties, as well as potential health and environmental hazards. The MSDS is a key tool not only for professionals, but also for people who maintain their vehicles on their own.
How to read MSDS?
It's a good idea to be able to read MSDSs in order to take an informed approach to product selection. MSDSs can vary in the layout of information, but in each one you will find information about the ingredients or concentrations used in the product and their potential effects on human health. For example, some cleaners may contain strong substances that can irritate the skin, eyes or respiratory tract on prolonged contact.
The MSDS also tells you how to deal safely with chemical exposure – what to do if the product gets in your eyes or is accidentally ingested. Pay attention to the legally required symbols describing the chemical and absolutely follow the recommended steps in case of any negative reactions you sense in yourself or those you work with.
What is the most important information on the MSDS?
When reading the MSDS sheet, it is worth paying close attention to a few key sections. The first is the composition of the product, which tells us what chemicals have been used. It is important to understand what types of chemicals are in the product – especially if you have sensitive skin, allergies or want to take care of the environment and, for example, dispose of used packaging correctly.
Another important section is the safety warnings, often labelled Hazard Statements. These contain information about the risks associated with the product, such as whether it can cause skin irritation, whether it is toxic when inhaled as a vapour, or what personal protective equipment (e.g. gloves or masks) is recommended during use.
Another key element of the MSDS is the storage and accident handling recommendations. For example, some detailing products can be flammable or produce harmful fumes. Therefore, the MSDS will help us to know under which conditions they should be stored to minimise the risk of accidents. There are also instructions on first aid in case of exposure to chemicals and how to neutralise and dispose of product residues.
Awareness of harmful substances in car care & detailing products
Car care and detailing pros pay more and more attention to the composition of the products we use every day. While it has become commonplace to check the composition of food or skin care products, this was not a common practice in the world of detailing until recently. Let us remember: modern chemical solutions in detailing are strong chemicals comprising solutions from the entire pH spectrum, with various concentrations, strong odours, often causing negative reactions among sensitive people. This is why it is so important to demand full transparency from car care product manufacturers in order to avoid contact with chemicals with negative effects on humans.
One example is PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), which can be found in some less advanced or less well tested body protectants and water repellents. PFAS, due to their properties, can appear in detailing products such as protective coatings, but their persistence in the environment makes them known as "forever chemicals". They tend to accumulate in nature and in living organisms, which can lead to long-term health problems such as endocrine disruption and increased cancer risk.
This is why more and more consumers are paying attention to the composition of their detailing products, avoiding those that contain PFAS and other harmful substances such as formaldehydes, toluene or heavy metals. By being aware of what is in the products with which we take care of our car, we can not only better protect our own health, but also reduce the negative impact on the environment. Reading MSDS is therefore not only a tool to ensure safety, but also a step towards a more conscious and responsible use of detailing chemistry.
Where can I find the MSDS of Soft99 products in Europe?
Specially for the purpose of transparently informing users of vehicle care products from Soft99, we have created an easy-to-use website with a repository of Material Safety Data Sheets regarding all our solutions, which you can access by clicking the button below. There you will find Data Sheets in the language of each European market where we operate. We hope that this will not only increase the level of knowledge among users of our products, but will also contribute to increased trust regarding our brand and products.
Soft99 MSDS Repository
