Detergency

Abstract

AbstractMany factors determine the ultimate effectiveness of a cleaning system. Knowledge of the substrate to be cleaned, the soil to be removed, the nature of the bath, and the detergent formulation is required to adequately describe the cleaning process. Home laundering, for example, involves removal of particulate or oily soils from textiles of varying compositions in an aqueous bath. Formulated detergents, added to the bath or fabric, significantly affect this process. Hard surface cleaning involves the removal of soil from a nonporous substrate, normally assisted by a detergent formulation.Detergent formulations differ in complexity, depending on the particular application for which they are designed and the variability in conditions under which they are expected to perform. Laundry detergents can require high water softening capability and therefore significant levels of water softeners. The replacement of phosphate has led to much research and development activity and increased numbers of choices in determining the most suitable formulations for a given purpose. The type and concentration of surfactant is another primary factor in determining the formulation.Measurement of cleaning efficacy can be done by several methods, ranging from the subjective (panelists rating) to more objective ones, such as reflectometry. Performance profiles are then used to determine more efficient formulations. Once the formulation is identified and deemed ready for commercialization, it must be manufactured. Liquids can be mixed simply by addition of the ingredients to water. The historic method of mixing ingredients for powders is to blend in a crutcher and spray dry in a hot tower. The resulting particle typically dissolves easily because of its porous structure. The formulations also must meet or surpass existing/potential health, safety, and environmental issues. With an understanding of all the appropriate factors involved in detergency, the formulator can more quickly and efficiently determine the optimum formulations to meet the specified objectives.