What are Detergents and Soaps and what is their chemistry and how do they work?
Detergents are materials used for cleaning. Detergents, especially those made for use with water, often include different components such as: Surfactants to ‘cut’ (emulsify) grease and to wet surfaces Abrasive to scour Substances to modify pH or to affect performance or stability of other ingredients, acids for descaling or caustics to break down organic compounds Water softeners to counteract the effect of “hardness” ions on other ingredients oxidants (oxidizers) for bleaching, disinfection, and breaking down organic compounds Non-surfactant materials that keep dirt in suspension Enzymes to digest proteins, fats, or carbohydrates in stains or to modify fabric feel Ingredients that modify the foaming properties of the cleaning surfactants, to either stabilize or counteract foam Ingredients to increase or decrease the viscosity of the solution, or to keep other ingredients in solution, in a detergent supplied as a water solution or gel Ingredients that affect aesthetic properties of the
