Primary Surfactants: These are the core active ingredients in laundry detergent liquids that play a crucial role in foaming and cleansing. Some common primary surfactants include Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES), and Alkyl Benzene Sulfonate (LABSA).
Anionic Surfactants. Anionic surfactants have a negative charge on their hydrophilic end. The negative charge helps the surfactant molecules lift and suspend soils in micelles. Because they are able to attack a broad range of soils, anionic surfactants are used frequently in soaps and detergents.
Surfactants are one of many different compounds that make up a detergent. They are added to remove dirt from skin, clothes and household articles particularly in kitchens and bathrooms. They are also used extensively in industry. The term surfactant comes from the words surface active agent.
Surfactants: Sodium laureth sulfate. Sodium C10-16 alkylbenzene sulfonate. Sodium lauryl sulfate.
Interesting Facts. Surfactants are the main components of most detergents and cleaning agents. They remove stains and dirt from clothes.
Dish soap is used as a surfactant, both when washing dishes and applying herbicide to plants. While it might effectively remove grease and food from plates, dish soap probably should not be the “go-to” surfactant for herbicides.
Surfactants: These are the core stain removers in Tide detergents. They remove anything greasy from fabrics, and they work well on stains and food residues. Surfactants break up stains and disperse dirt that otherwise wouldn't dissolve in water.
Carboxylates are the most common surfactants and comprise the carboxylate salts (soaps), such as sodium stearate. More specialized species include sodium lauroyl sarcosinate and carboxylate-based fluorosurfactants such as perfluorononanoate, perfluorooctanoate (PFOA or PFO).
Soaps and detergents are made from long molecules that contain a head and tail. These molecules are called surfactants; the diagram below represents a surfactant molecule. The head of the molecule is attracted to water (hydrophilic) and the tail is attracted to grease and dirt (hydrophobic).
Tide, Arm&Hammer, and Gain have all been banned 🚫in Europe, NY, and other regions due to 1,4- Dioxane, a forever chemical and human carcinogen that resists naturally breaking down and can take 1000s of years to do so.
The OxiClean™ formulation is a combination of ingredients, the key ingredient being sodium percarbonate, sodium carbonate, surfactants and polymer.
Laundry detergents may contain builders (50% by weight, approximately), surfactants (15%), bleach (7%), enzymes (2%), soil antideposition agents, foam regulators, corrosion inhibitors, optical brighteners, dye transfer inhibitors, fragrances, dyes, fillers and formulation aids.
KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN. FIRST AID TREATMENT: Contains biodegradable surfactants (anionic and nonionic) and enzymes. If swallowed give a glassful of water or milk and call a Poison Control Center or doctor immediately.
The process of manufacture consists of neutralization of acid slurry. Measured quantity of acid slurry is taken in SS kettle and diluted with known quantity of water with continuous stirring. A solution of caustic soda is prepared by dissolving measured quantity of caustic soda in measured quantity of water.
In cleaning, sodium benzoate is beneficial for its antifungal and intrinsic preserving qualities. As a preservative, sodium benzoate extends the shelf life of liquid soap and prevents fungi like yeast and mold from colonizing.
surfactant, also called surface-active agent, substance such as a detergent that, when added to a liquid, reduces its surface tension, thereby increasing its spreading and wetting properties. In the dyeing of textiles, surfactants help the dye penetrate the fabric evenly.
There are two ways of adding a surfactant to most herbicides. Just adding a little dish soap to the mix is the simplest way. About a tablespoon per gallon of spray will do.
Sodium stearate is a good example of a surfactant. It is the most common surfactant in soap. Another common surfactant is 4-(5-dodecyl)benzenesulfonate. Other examples include docusate (dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate), alkyl ether phosphates, benzalkaonium chloride (BAC), and perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS).
Anionic surfactants are commonly found in laundry detergents, handwashes, kitchen cleaners, body washes. They are the most widely used and versatile surfactants. They are the most effective at removing oily residue.
Some people recommend using dish soap, vinegar, and other household products as an alternative to using a surfactant. Others even recommend "washing your lawn" with soap and water before applying an insecticide or herbicide.
Examples include sodium alkylbenzene sulfonates, sodium stearate (a soap), and potassium alcohol sulfates.
In most domestic homeowner situations, the easiest and most accessible surfactant to use is dishwashing liquid. As mentioned earlier, soap contains the surfactant Sodium stearate. Liquid dishwashing liquid can be added to a tank mix of the herbicide or pesticide being applied and mixed with water.
Chief among these concerns is a chemical known as 1,4-dioxane. According to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, exposure to this compound can cause eye and nose irritation, kidney problems, and possible long-term lung damage.
Surfactants alone, however, are not enough to keep clothes clean and smelling fresh, so laundry detergents often contain a host of other ingredients, such as optical brighteners, perfumes and enzymes.
On average, Persil removes an average of 2% more stains than Tide detergents—and that's why it's our top-ranked liquid laundry detergent. Persil has been on sale in the U.S. since mid-2015, but it has long been a best-selling laundry detergent in Europe.