--- title: How Detergents React In Cooler Weather | Hydro-Chem Systems, Inc. description: With inconsistent weather patterns and cooler temperatures, you might notice an increase of the amount of soap needed to get that same summer clean - this is normal! image: https://blog.hydrochemsystems.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/truck2-1.png --- [![HydroChemSystems_4C-reverse-stacked-ESOP](https://blog.hydrochemsystems.com/hubfs/New%20Logos/reverse%20logo/reverse%20logo%20svg/HydroChemSystems_4C-reverse-stacked-ESOP.svg "HydroChemSystems_4C-reverse-stacked-ESOP")](https://hydrochemsystems.com/) - [Automated Truck Systems](https://hydrochemsystems.com/automated-truck-systems/) - [Private Fleets](https://hydrochemsystems.com/automated-truck-systems/private-fleets/) - [Commercial & Retail](https://hydrochemsystems.com/automated-truck-systems/commercial-retail-public-fleet-wash/) - [Bus Wash Systems](https://hydrochemsystems.com/automated-truck-systems/bus-wash-systems/) - [Waste & Municipal](https://hydrochemsystems.com/automated-truck-systems/waste-municipal-fleet-wash-systems/) - [Heavy Duty](https://hydrochemsystems.com/automated-truck-systems/heavy-duty/) - [Biosecurity](https://hydrochemsystems.com/automated-truck-systems/biosecurity-wash/) - [Undercarriage](https://hydrochemsystems.com/automated-truck-systems/undercarriage-only/) - [Chemicals](https://hydrochemsystems.com/chemicals/) - [Truck Wash Soaps](https://hydrochemsystems.com/chemicals/truck-wash-soaps/) - [Specialty Fleet Products](https://hydrochemsystems.com/chemicals/specialty-fleet-products/) - [Degreasers](https://hydrochemsystems.com/chemicals/degreasers-and-floor/) - [Mobile Fleet Solutions](https://hydrochemsystems.com/mobile-fleet-solutions/) - [About Us](https://hydrochemsystems.com/about-us/) - [Blog](https://blog.hydrochemsystems.com/) - [Case Studies](https://hydrochemsystems.com/about-us/case-studies/) - [Careers](https://hydrochemsystems.com/about-us/careers/) [GET A QUOTE](https://hydrochemsystems.com/contact-us/) [GET A QUOTE](https://hydrochemsystems.com/contact-us/) [Education & Knowledge](https://blog.hydrochemsystems.com/tag/education-knowledge) | [Detergents](https://blog.hydrochemsystems.com/tag/detergents) | [Fleet Washing Tips](https://blog.hydrochemsystems.com/tag/fleet-washing-tips) ## How Detergents React In Cooler Weather ![ How Detergents React In Cooler Weather](https://blog.hydrochemsystems.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/truck2-1.png) November 30, 2019 by [Hydro-Chem Sales](https://blog.hydrochemsystems.com/author/hydro-chem-sales) With colder weather quickly arriving, here’s a reminder and some quick tips for washing in winter conditions. With inconsistent weather patterns and cooler temperatures, you might notice an increase of the amount of soap needed to get that same summer clean – this is normal! Acid (Step 1), and Alkaline (Step 2) detergents will become more sluggish due to cooler temperatures and the colder surface of the fleet or equipment you are washing. Make sure to blend your detergents stronger than you do in the summer, and if possible, use warm water around 100° – 130°F to help clean more efficiently and use less soap (in comparison to cold water). Knock off any mud, debris, or ice before applying your soaps onto the surface. Your soap will work better when it can directly touch the surface of the equipment! [![The 5 Winter Washing Mistakes Costing You Thousands   Every winter, fleet directors make the same expensive mistakes. We documented them in The Fleet Director's Dirty Truth Report, and the findings will change how you approach winter fleet maintenance.  ](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/20222006/interactive-199064492640.png)](https://blog.hydrochemsystems.com/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLL2OO9AOAeVD2gF8j9JSQO%2BIGHs0%2F4rs%2BAISSoTGcWduAxg9TxDkuBCUqnKwzH8pLVzxwAdLOfeaotnBonT%2BZX28Y49KCnl1MnKIwV2uK2ar8ihhZfCBaqIqMXy%2FuRN%2F1k9LcXxAKsm52bqeGzC082sq%2FKN9C4BwMKmjuZjZNrZrRxIhZ%2BRtzgMsMW85xuEBE%2BKpn6kAjUdGTRhXCy6LQP4YRFYKGXUEGEwY6%2F2n5EodALTIzlNJs1xnrACq99lPe12%2F%2F4VetVGQ9P2LpcwSdW3cfMZ3g%3D%3D&webInteractiveContentId=199064492640&portalId=20222006) ### Hydro-Chem Systems 6605 Broadmoor Ave SE Caledonia, MI 49316 **Monday – Friday** 8:00AM – 4:00PM Phone: [616-531-6420](tel:6165316420) **Service:** [833-427-3183](tel:8334273183) **Email:** [info@hcsclean.com](mailto:info@hcsclean.com) [Request a Quote](https://hydrochemsystems.com/contact-us/) - Quick Links - [About Us](https://hydrochemsystems.com/about-us/) - [MICHIGAN FLEET WASH SOLUTIONS](https://hydrochemsystems.com/michigan-fleet-washing-solutions/) - [FLEET WASH EFFICIENCY AUDIT](https://hydrochemsystems.com/fleet-wash-efficiency-audit/) - [SERVICE DEPARTMENT](https://hydrochemsystems.com/service-department/) - [PARTS & WASHERS](https://hydrochemsystems.com/parts-washers/) - [DISTRIBUTION](https://hydrochemsystems.com/distribution/) - [CONTACT US](https://hydrochemsystems.com/contact-us/) ### What Our Customers Think [![Google](https://blog.hydrochemsystems.com/hs-fs/hubfs/HydroChemSystems_Feb2026/Images/Screenshot%202026-02-04%20at%202.53.29%20PM.png?width=444&name=Screenshot%202026-02-04%20at%202.53.29%20PM.png "Google")](https://admin.trustindex.io/api/googleReview?place-id=ChIJ1aYrzfmzGYgREwW4ELjXPEY) [Leave us a Review](https://search.google.com/local/writereview?placeid=ChIJ1aYrzfmzGYgREwW4ELjXPEY) [![HydroChemSystems_4C-reverse-stacked-ESOP](https://blog.hydrochemsystems.com/hubfs/New%20Logos/reverse%20logo/reverse%20logo%20svg/HydroChemSystems_4C-reverse-stacked-ESOP.svg "HydroChemSystems_4C-reverse-stacked-ESOP")](https://hydrochemsystems.com/) 2026 HYDRO-CHEM SYSTEMS | [PRIVACY POLICY](https://hydrochemsystems.lkfhosting.com/privacy-policy/) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Hydro-Chem Sales", "url" : "https://blog.hydrochemsystems.com/author/hydro-chem-sales" }, "dateModified" : "2025-11-04T18:57:33.447Z", "datePublished" : "2019-11-30T22:11:00.000Z", "headline" : "How Detergents React In Cooler Weather | Hydro-Chem Systems, Inc.", "image" : [ "https://blog.hydrochemsystems.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/truck2-1.png" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.hydrochemsystems.com/detergents/how-detergents-react-in-cooler-weather", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.hydrochemsystems.com/hubfs/Hydro-Chem%20Systems%20Logo%20Transparent%20Background.png" }, "name" : "Hydro-Chem Systems Inc. " } } ```