To prepare a good laundry detergent many kind of
ingredients need to be added. Many of these ingredients can be manufactured
from plants; others are petroleum-based. The amount of each ingredient and how
they are combined are affect the cleaning ability of the detergent. Some types
are given billow,
1. Alkali: They
are effective in removing dirt and stains from fabric without excessive rubbing.
It neutralize the acid of fabric. They form an emulsion of the oily
or solid particles that are held in suspension in wash water to be rinsed away.
2. Surfactants
and Anti-Redepositing Agents: They break up stains and
suspend the dirt in the water to prevent the redisposition of the dirt onto the
surface. Surfactants disperse dirt that normally does not dissolve in water.
3. Functional
Materials in Laundry Detergent:
- PH modifiers - balance acids and bases in
water
- Optical brighteners (bleach alternative) -
improve the appearance of whiteness by absorbing UV light and giving off a blue
tint
- water conditioners - manage hard water and
inhibit dye transfer
- suds control with soap or silicone -
prevent excess foaming
- preservatives - prevent microbial growth
4. Catalytic
Enzymes:
- protease - degrades protein-based soils
- amylase - degrades starch-based or
carbohydrate soils
- cellulase - breaks down cotton fibers to
release soils
- lipase - degrades fat-based soils
- pectinase - degrades fruit-based stains