Product Overview
Actichem Citrus Gel is a premium-quality solvent gel that uses potent citrus extracts to remove tough oily spots, tar, gum, bitumen, and cosmetics. Its stable gel formula keeps it in place longer, preventing it from running down to the carpet base. Ideal for gums, putty, bitumen, tar and heavy grease deposits.
This listing is the 500 ml squeeze bottle — the spotting-kit size, supplied ready to use. No dilution is required.
Benefits
- Innovative chemistry — a highly effective blend of citrus solvents and emulsifiers in the convenience of a gel.
- High performance — perfect for removing gum, bitumen, tar, crayon, lipstick and greasy spots.
- Easy to use — cream/gel consistency makes it easy to work with, and the squeeze bottle places it exactly on the spot.
- Fresh odour — Citrus Gel is excellent for low odour cleaning, leaving behind a fresh citrus scent. Actichem also describe it as low VOC. Low odour is not the same as low hazard — see the Safety section below before you plan the job.
- Fibre surface — formulated to work on the fibre surface, avoiding problems with latex and bitumen-backed carpets.
- Free rinsing — rinses out easily with hot water extraction.
Application Areas and Surface Suitability
Citrus Gel is a citrus-based stain remover for carpets and upholstery. It is ideal for tough stains and spills in homes, healthcare facilities, nursing homes, schools, and more. It is effective on gum, bitumen, tar, crayon, lipstick and greasy spots.
Citrus Gel can be used on carpets, water-cleanable upholstery and clothing.
How to Use
Always pre-test in an inconspicuous location for substrate sensitivity to chemicals and dye stability.
Dilution: stain removal — ready to use.
- Squeeze Citrus Gel onto the spot.
- Allow 5 minutes of contact time while gently agitating.
- Gently blot or scrape to remove excess.
- Repeat the process if necessary.
- Wipe with a damp sponge or towel, or extract with clean water.
- Brush fabric to align fibres.
Safety
Please read this section before your next job, even if you have used this product for years. This listing previously described Citrus Gel as “Non-hazardous”. That was wrong, and on this product it was seriously wrong. It has been corrected.
Actichem’s safety data sheet for AP486, version 2.4 issued 18 September 2025, classifies Citrus Gel as a HAZARDOUS CHEMICAL under the Model WHS Regulations. It is not classified as dangerous goods for transport. The 500 ml pack carries exactly the same classification as the 5 litre — a smaller bottle is not a milder product.
- Signal word: DANGER
- H360D — may damage the unborn child (Reproductive Toxicity Category 1B)
- H304 — may be fatal if swallowed and enters airways (Aspiration Hazard Category 1)
- H315 — causes skin irritation
- H317 — may cause an allergic skin reaction (Skin Sensitiser Category 1B)
- Poisons Schedule: 5
The reproductive hazard, in plain terms
H360D is the most serious classification on this page and it is the one our previous wording hid. It is driven by N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP, CAS 872-50-4) at less than 10%, a solvent classified as toxic to reproduction and restricted in several overseas markets.
- Workers who are pregnant, planning a pregnancy or breastfeeding should not handle this product. That is a straightforward substitution decision, not a PPE decision.
- Under the WHS Regulations a hazardous chemical of this classification requires a risk assessment, and the control hierarchy puts substitution above personal protective equipment. If you can do the job with something else, do.
- NMP is absorbed through the skin as well as inhaled, so gloves are not optional and the choice of glove material matters.
- This size is the one most likely to end up in a spotting kit carried from job to job. It still needs its safety data sheet with it and it still needs gloves.
We are not telling you to stop using Citrus Gel. It is an effective gum and bitumen remover and it remains in our range. We are telling you what is in it, because until now this page did not.
Personal protective equipment
Actichem specify neoprene chemical protective gloves, chemical goggles, overalls and a PVC apron, with barrier cream and skin cleansing cream available. Work in a well-ventilated area. Given H304, never siphon or transfer by mouth.
First aid
Swallowed — do NOT induce vomiting. This product is an aspiration hazard; vomiting can draw it into the lungs. Immediately call a Poisons Information Centre or a doctor.
Eyes. Wash out immediately with fresh running water, holding the eyelids open. Seek medical attention.
Skin. Remove contaminated clothing, wash the area with soap and water. If irritation or a rash develops, seek medical advice — H317 means repeat exposure can sensitise you permanently.
Do Not Mix
Actichem list the following as incompatible with Citrus Gel:
- Strong acids
- Peroxides and oxidising agents
- Halogens, vinyl chloride, iodine pentafluoride
In practical terms, keep it away from our oxidiser and chlorine range on the same job — that includes Actichem Perox, Actichem Oxyboost Plus and Actichem Chlorosan. Rinse thoroughly and use separate, clearly labelled equipment between a solvent step and an oxidiser step.
Specifications
| Product code | AP486.005 |
| Pack size | 500 ml squeeze bottle |
| Product type | Ready-to-use citrus solvent gel spotter |
| Appearance | Smooth white gel |
| Odour | Citrus (limonene) |
| Colour | White |
| Dilution | Ready to use — no dilution |
| Contact time | 5 minutes with gentle agitation |
| pH | Our records state 7. Actichem’s SDS states pH is not applicable for this gel. Both positions are shown rather than averaged. |
| Key components | Naphtha petroleum, isoparaffin, hydrotreated (CAS 64742-48-9) 30–60%; d-limonene (CAS 5989-27-5) 10–<30%; N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (CAS 872-50-4) <10% |
| WHS classification | Hazardous chemical |
| Signal word | DANGER |
| Hazard statements | H360D, H304, H315, H317 |
| Dangerous goods | Non-dangerous goods — not regulated for transport under the ADG Code |
| HAZCHEM code | Not applicable |
| Poisons schedule | 5 |
| SDS referenced | Version 2.4, issued 18 September 2025 |
Related Products
- Actichem Citrus Gel 5 Ltr — the same product in a refill size. Identical classification.
- Actichem GumGone — a liquid gum and adhesive remover. A different solvent system with its own hazards; read its Safety section before choosing between them.
- Actichem Orange Solvent 500 ml — a citrus solvent spray for general greasy soiling rather than gel spot work.
Safety Data Sheet
Actichem Citrus Gel Safety Data Sheet — version 2.4, issued 18 September 2025
Add this sheet to your site safety file before using the product. If your risk assessment was written on the basis that this product was non-hazardous, it needs to be redone.
SKU: AP486.005
If your risk assessment rules out NMP for a particular site or crew, contact Carpet Cleaners Warehouse before you order. We stock several gum and solvent gels; we will confirm what is in each one before recommending an alternative rather than guessing.
