Frequently Asked Questions

Got a quick question about the company or our products? Check out these frequently asked questions below and see if we've already answered them!


Q. Is Kemsol a local NZ Company, manufacturing in NZ?

A. Kemsol is the brand name for a range of high-quality cleaning chemicals, developed and manufactured in New Zealand by Chemical Solutions, a 100% Kiwi owned and operated company. From our initial foundation in a half-built shed in South Auckland during the late 1970's, Chemical Solutions has always been a local chemical manufacturer with it's heart in Kiwi business.


Q. What makes Kemsol unique?

A. The key advantage Chemical Solutions has over other major suppliers is our ability to cater to our customer's and distributor’s specific & individual needs better than other larger companies which tend to be slow to respond to new market needs and to individual requirements. The Kemsol brand includes many specialised products which many of the major players do not have, such as Red Dog, Phase Out, K-Clean, Shower Power and Citrus Blast. We have a dedicated full-time lab and chemists who can manufacture for individual formulation requirements.


Q. What's in the formulations?

A. By law we are legally required to provide safety data sheets. We also make the required declarations to HSNO on the labels. We may be able to assist in certain individual situations with additional information, however due to sensitive IP information relating to our products, we can't give away the secret formula. (Sorry!)


Q. Do your products contain phosphates?

A. Some do, as phosphates are used to assist keep soiling (oils) suspended in solution so they are not redistributed over surfaces. This is particularly useful in laundry products as the solution can be with the garment for a time before being discharged. Coloured laundry garments repeatedly washed in non-phosphate based products will tend to dull, and whites will go grey. Phosphates have received a lot of attention in recent years regarding the way they are discharged to slow moving water ways (such as in Holland) as they promote the growth of algae which can rob the water of nutrients and oxygen and reduce aquatic life. In NZ it is not an issue as vast majority of discharge is to trade waste.


Q. How do you work out the dilution rates for certain products?

A. You'll find dilution rates listed on the label and in each product information sheet of a Kemsol product. Alternatively, if you need help converting dilution ratios to percentages or to millilitres, log in to Media Hub to use our handy Dilution Calculator.


Q. Are your labels chemical-proof?

A. Our labels have a special laminate coating on the surface which makes them durable and chemical-resistant for long-term storage. The strong adhesive keeps the label on the product without peeling off, but it is easily removed without residue when recycling the containers.


Q. Do you have products for veterinary clinics?

A. Currently, no Kemsol products have been specifically formulated for veterinary clinics. However, our sister brand Virulabs has a specialised range of products designed to cater for veterinary needs.


Q. Help! How do you remove oil and grease from tar seal or driveways?

A. It's important to be careful that the cleaner isn't too strong or it can partly start to dissolve the oil-based asphalt. Kemsol recommends Oil Clean WB as an ideal degreaser. Depending on the finish and the roll pressure, we suggest trials to test the compatibility of the surface. Other alternatives include Red Rhino, Superclean and Cycloscrub. Talk to your local Kemsol representative to find the right product for you.


Q. Can we use your products with a septic tank?

A. Yes, many Kemsol products are completely septic tank-safe when used as directed. Look for the septic tank safety statement on the product label and product information sheet. Septic tanks in general are very robust and durable, and when used for every day, should handle most chemical discharge fine when diluted correctly with wastewater.


Q. What does pH stand for?

A. pH stands for "Power of Hydrogen". pH is a measurement of the "surplus of" or the "lack of" available hydrogen ions and is used to measure the acidity or basicity levels of a solution.


Q. Is Steri-dry safe for use in daycares?

A. Steri-dry is an evaporating sanitiser, which means it will completely evaporate off the surface after a few minutes while killing the bacteria. It is perfectly safe to use in daycare centres, even for toys and in the play area, as long as Steri-dry is used according to directions and not in excess. Similarly, a sanitiser like Kemsol Bac-Stop at 1% can be used, but in this case it is recommended the toys are wiped with a clean damp cloth after sanitising.


Q. Help! I've got an issue with Media Hub / SAe, I can't log in or it loads strangely on my device!

A. More than likely it will be a cache issue, where old data stored in your browser in order to load pages faster can cause issues when reloading or revisiting pages. Ensure that you clear your browser data in your browser settings (menu options may differ from browser to browser) and clear the cache. Close the browser down completely then re-open it and try to launch Media Hub / SAe again.


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MPI Catalogue

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Example of Kemsol MPI Catalogue

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