Every product we sell is built to work hard. Concentrated formulas mean better cleaning performance and better value per litre, but concentration also means these products can cause real harm if they're handled the wrong way. That's not a reason to be nervous about using them, it's the reason every label carries clear instructions and every product page carries a Safety Data Sheet (SDS). Following them isn't red tape. It's what keeps the person using the product, and the people around them, safe.
Why Label Instructions Exist
A label isn't just packaging copy. It's the distilled result of the product's Safety Data Sheet (SDS), which sets out how the product behaves, what it's compatible with, what protective equipment is needed, and what to do if something goes wrong. Instructions like dilution ratios, ventilation requirements, and workplace-only restrictions are there because they've been tested and specified for a reason, not as a formality.
Skipping the label doesn't just risk a worse clean. Depending on the product, it can mean skin or eye irritation, chemical burns, or dangerous fumes if the wrong products are mixed together. Several products in our range, including Brake Cleaner, Prepsol, and Trade Thinner, are restricted to workplace use only for exactly this reason. That's not us being overly cautious, it reflects the hazard classification on the SDS itself.
What PPE Actually Means in Practice
Personal protective equipment doesn't need to be complicated, but it does need to match the product. As a baseline across our range:
- Gloves to prevent skin contact, especially with concentrates before dilution
- Eye protection when spraying, decanting, or working with anything overhead
- Ventilation, working in a well-ventilated area rather than a closed space, particularly with solvent-based products
- Correct storage, containers kept sealed and upright, away from incompatible chemicals
The specific requirements vary by product, which is exactly why we point people to the label and the SDS rather than a single generic answer. What's appropriate for a ready-to-use glass cleaner is not the same as what's needed for a solvent degreaser.
How We Build This In
We've made a few changes recently specifically to make this easier to get right, not harder:
- Every product description now ends with a clear notice: it must be used in accordance with the label instructions, and full protective equipment must be worn when in use.
- Updated our labelling to ensure it complies with the latest GHS and EPA New Zealand requirements.
- Products that are legally workplace-only are labelled, rather than left ambiguous.
None of this is about making the products harder to use. It's about making sure the information needed to use them safely is impossible to miss.
If Something Goes Wrong
If a product gets in someone's eyes or on their skin outside of normal use, the first aid steps are on the label and in the SDS for that specific product, follow those first. For anything beyond basic first aid, New Zealand's 24 hour poisons and chemical emergency line is available:
Emergency Advice: CHEMCALL 0800 243 622 (24 hours)
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I find the Safety Data Sheet for a product? Every product page on our site has a direct SDS download link. You don't need to request it separately.
Why are some products restricted to workplace use only? This reflects the hazard classification on that product's SDS. It's a legal restriction under HSNO Group Standards, not a judgement call we make ourselves.
Do I need PPE for every product, even ready-to-use ones? Requirements vary by product. Always check that specific product's label and SDS rather than assuming, since a ready-to-use spray and a concentrate can carry very different requirements.
What should I do if I'm not sure how to use a product safely? Please check the label carefully before use. It contains all relevant guidelines, directions for use, and precautions that must be followed. We don’t include this information on our labels for the sake of it, it’s there to ensure every user has the information they need to use and handle our products safely and responsibly.
IMPORTANT: We’ve done our best to provide you with all the information needed to use our products safely and correctly, with relevant instructions, guidelines, and precautions clearly provided on the label and SDS. It is the user’s responsibility to read, understand, and follow this information before and during use.
As we have no control over how, where, or under what conditions this product is used, we cannot guarantee the results obtained. The seller, distributor, and manufacturer accept no liability for any injury, loss, or damage resulting from the use, application, or misuse of the product.