Storage and Maintenance of Colorant

As users of mulch colorant you have probably pondered the best way to store your colorant inventory. Here are some frequently asked questions and recommendations regarding colorant storage and maintenance.

How often should I mix my colorant?
Amerimulch colorant has a very good shelf life if stored under suitable conditions. Our colorants are ready to use after just a brief mix. This is recommended to ensure a homogenous blend of pigments and additives within the container. A small degree of soft settle (a thin, soft layer of pigment at the bottom of a container) may occur over time, but it can be easily remixed. 10-15 minutes of mix time prior to use and once a year to prevent any settling is suggested.

What is the best mixing equipment to use?
A mixing stick on a hand drill will do the job in most cases. Getting all the colorant evenly blended ensures consistency during your mulch coloring process and makes sure no colorant goes to waste. The power tote mixer does the job a little faster, and with a little more zing. Using a hand mixer in the corners of a tote, then ten minutes with the power tote mixer, is the best method for any situation. Amerimulch offers a mixer that can be easily attached to your hand drill or an electric tote mixer that can be plugged into any wall outlet.

Amerimulch is an industry leader in minimizing pigment settling in the container. This is due to a superior chemical formulation and process. Which means, when a tote runs empty, it is empty with no pigment hard packed (material densely settled at the bottom of a container that cannot be easily remixed) at the bottom. No wasted colorant means no wasted money!

What happens to mulch colorant if it freezes?
An important thing to remember is mulch colorant is water based (as opposed to oil or solvent based). This means that it will freeze at temperatures below 32◦ F. Your colorant should be stored in a heated building during winter months.

Once colorant freezes, it must be allowed to thaw and be thoroughly remixed. Multiple freeze thaw cycles reduce the stability of the colorant and will eventually cause a hard pack condition. The colorant may be able to be used, but only after difficult and time-consuming remixing.

If you keep these few things in mind, your colorant can be stored and maintained well until it is used.