Getting the Most from Your Shampoo
Many of you may be frustrated with the amount of shampoo you use and yet the dogs just aren’t as clean as you would like. Guess what! Changing the type of shampoo may not solve the problem either! It may be time to review your technique, not your shampoo.
Some of you have switched to bathing systems and where amazed at the better results you achieve. Was it the bathing system that made the difference?
We must remember that bathing a dog is about science and chemistry. What! You say you are a groomer and you don’t believe in that…. Well, Sorry. It is what it is, so let’s embrace it and learn from it.
How shampoo works is all about chemistry. A shampoo contains molecules with receptors that grab dirt and when you rinse away the shampoo, it takes the dirt with it. Simple enough! Here is where the science starts though. When you have a large globule of soap it has a limited amount of receptors that can grab dirt. If you break that globule of soap into many smaller globules (which a bathing system or a bowl and whisk does), it increases the surface area of the soap and it is able to grab more dirt, better utilizing the amount of shampoo used.
More chemistry! Chemical reactions take time to occur. If you put shampoo on and then instantly rinse it off, it has not had enough time for the reaction to occur and you wasted product. If the shampoo is rinsed off too quickly, maybe only one receptor will grab dirt so ¾ of the product is wasted. Ideally you should leave the product on for 5 minutes.
If you let science work for you, you will save time, money and product.
5 Ways to Get More From Every Bottle of Shampoo
- Dilute it. Concentrated Iv San Bernard shampoos are designed to be diluted about 1 part product to 3 parts water.
- Froth it. Whisk the mixture into a foam to break the soap into smaller particles that grab more dirt. See why whisk?
- Apply it in the right order. Start with the oiliest and most affected areas. See re-think how you apply product.
- Give it 5 minutes. Chemical reactions take time. Rinsing too soon wastes most of the product.
- Use less. You only need enough to feel slip on the coat. See quantity control.
Bathing Systems vs. Bowl and Whisk
Many groomers notice better results after switching to a bathing system and credit the machine. Much of the improvement comes from the same science: the system mixes and breaks up the shampoo before it reaches the coat. A bowl and whisk can achieve similar results at almost no cost.
Don’t Forget Conditioner
A clean coat is only half the job. Follow every shampoo with a hydrating conditioner to replace the oils removed during washing. See when to use a conditioner.
Shop Iv San Bernard shampoos.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why isn’t my dog getting clean even with lots of shampoo?
The issue is often technique, not the shampoo. Dilute and froth the product, apply it to the oiliest areas first, and leave it on for about 5 minutes before rinsing.
How long should shampoo stay on a dog before rinsing?
About 5 minutes. Rinsing too soon wastes product because the cleansing reaction has not had time to happen.