D-limonene Query for any chemist-woodworkers out there

[paulc]

Having read about the environmentally friendly properties of D-limonene I thought I'd get some to use as an alternative to more hazardous alternative solvents.

Unable to find it in its pure form I purchased this:
http://www.arcosafety.ie/product?productcode=3449005

It was called simply 'D-limonene' it was late, I didn't check data sheet and thought it would be pure or contain a harmless mixer of some sort.

Anyway while it will still be useful to me as a substitute for white spirits / rust remover and such, I'm wondering if it is possible / advisable to dilute this product for use as a household cleaner - bath / burnt in stains etc. and pest deterrent - small problem with silverfish - ughhhhh - in the flat.

How safe / non-toxic are its other ingredients :
KEROSINE - UNSPECIFIED - DISTILLATES (PETROLEUM), HYDROTREATED LIGHT 70-90%
COCONUT DIETHANOLAMIDE - 1-10&
2-BUTOXYETHANOL - 1-10%

Cheers

 

[JakeS]

I got a C at A-level chem, does that count? ;-)

I'm wondering if it is possible / advisable to dilute this product for use as a household cleaner - bath / burnt in stains etc. and pest deterrent - small problem with silverfish - ughhhhh - in the flat.

I believe neat Limonene will dissolve some plastics, so you'll probably want to carefully test anything you want to clean with it.

Another possible consideration: off the top of my head I don't know about D-limonene in particular, but a lot of terpenes cause problems for people with asthma. They're commonly used in the pollutant-pumps that they're somehow allowed to call "air fresheners"; my top three most serious asthma attacks have all come from these things being used at the office.

KEROSINE - UNSPECIFIED - DISTILLATES (PETROLEUM), HYDROTREATED LIGHT 70-90%
COCONUT DIETHANOLAMIDE - 1-10&
2-BUTOXYETHANOL - 1-10%

Kerosene is generally OK for household use - you wouldn't want to drink it or use it concentrated near sources of ignition, since on its own it's inflammable; it's used to run small stoves, burner lamps etc. and light barbecues.

"Coconut dieithanolamide" is commonly called "cocamide DEA" on the backs of shampoo bottles.

2-butoxyethanol is used in some household cleaners already - including the spritzer of whiteboard cleaner I have nearby.