All Purpose Cleaner + Mop Soap Base FAQs: Answering Common Maker Questions
Ready to start making your own scented cleaning products? Our All Purpose Cleaner + Mop Soap Base makes it easy to get started, but we know a few questions can come up along the way.
What fragrances can I use? What do I do if the product appears cloudy? Is this product beginner friendly?
Here, we'll answer all of your mop soap & all purpose cleaner FAQs!
We’ve rounded up some of the most frequently asked questions about our All Purpose Cleaner + Mop Soap Base to help you get the most out of your base and create with confidence.
Interested in trying our base for the first time? You can check it out here!
Do I have to use distilled water?
Yes! Distilled water is required for this base. Tap water, filtered water, or spring water can introduce minerals, bacteria, and impurities that may impact the stability, clarity, preservation system, and overall performance of your final product.
For best results and product safety, always use distilled water.
Where do I put "parfum" in the INCI?
Between "Lauramine Oxide" and "Ethylhexylglycerin"!
What’s the difference between the All Purpose Cleaner and Mop Soap?
The base itself is the same! The difference comes down to dilution ratio and intended usage.
- The All Purpose Cleaner is diluted for ready-to-use spray applications.
- The Mop Soap is typically sold as a concentrate that customers dilute into mop water before use.
One base = multiple product possibilities.
Do I need to use Polysorbate 20?
Maybe! If the fragrance you are working with makes the formula cloudy, a 1:1 ratio of Polysorbate 20 is recommended!
And/or if you go over 3% fragrance load you very well may need Polysorbate 20 to help properly bind fragrance oil into the formula and improve clarity/stability.
Fragrance oils vary greatly, so testing is always required.
Can I use any fragrance oil?
Most fragrance oils can work well in this base, but performance and stability will vary depending on the fragrance. Always test your fragrance oil at your desired usage rate before selling finished products.
Be sure to follow IFRA Category 10A guidelines for your specific fragrance oil. (learn more about IFRA here!)
We recommend MWFC fragrance oils! 😉
Why is my cleaner cloudy or separating?
Some fragrance oils naturally cause cloudiness or separation in water-based products. This is normal and depends on the fragrance composition and usage rate. Using Polysorbate 20 and proper mixing techniques can help improve stability and appearance.
Do I need to add a preservative?
No additional preservative is needed when using the base as directed. This formula already contains a preservative system.
However, if you add additional water-based ingredients beyond the recommended formulation, additional preservation testing may be required.
Can I sell this as a concentrate?
Yes! Many makers choose to sell the Mop Soap as a concentrate with dilution directions for their customers.
This can help reduce packaging and shipping costs while creating a refill-style product experience. For the All Purpose Cleaner you should NOT sell as a concentrate and instead follow the instructions on how to make this product.
What surfaces can this be used on?
This formula is designed for use on many common household surfaces including countertops, glass, stainless steel, granite, sealed wood floors, tile, stone, luxury vinyl plank (LVP), and polished concrete.
We always recommend testing on a small inconspicuous area first and avoiding unfinished or unsealed surfaces.
Is this product beginner-friendly?
Absolutely. This base was designed to make home cleaning products approachable and easy to create - without needing to formulate from scratch.
Simply fragrance, dilute, bottle, and test!
What packaging works best for these products?
For All Purpose Cleaner applications, most makers use PET or glass spray bottles.
For Mop Soap concentrates, PET or HDPE bottles are popular options.
Always test your packaging for compatibility and leakage with your final formula.
What's the shelf life?
Unopened and stored in a cool, dry place, the concentrate base has an estimated shelf life of approximately 12 months.
Once diluted and fragranced, we recommend using finished products within 6–12 months for best performance and freshness.
Can I market this as antibacterial or disinfecting?
No. This product is not EPA-registered as a disinfectant or sanitizer.
Avoid antibacterial, disinfecting, or germ-killing claims in your marketing or labeling.
Hi! I'm Kenna!
Co-founder of Midwest Fragrance Company, business builder since 20, fueled by coffee and grounded by yoga. I’ve learned (mostly the hard way) what it takes to grow a maker business, and I share those lessons here… the real ones, not the highlight reel.
At MWFC, we sell all the supplies you need to create scented products that truly shine ✨
Want to keep following along? Find us on Instagram @midwestfragranceco
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