Basic Soap and Detergent Chemistry
[A detergent is
a surfactant or a mixture of surfactants having "cleaning properties in
dilute solutions”. Commonly, "detergent" refers to alkylbenzenesulfonates,
a family of compounds that are similar to soap but are less affected by hard
water.] [1]
a) Hydrophilic ~ inorganic, water loving [: compounds that have an affinity to water and are usually charged or
have polar side groups to their structure that will attract water]
b) Lipophilic (Hydrophobic) ~ organic, water hating [:
compounds that are repelled by water and are usually neutral (zero charge.)]
Surfactants have a polar group at one
end (hydrophilic) and a non-polar group at the other end (lipophilic). The
interaction of these two groups in water will reduce the surface tension of
water. One end is inorganic and mixes with water, the other end is organic, and
will dissolve other organic compounds; a detergent solution will dissolve both
organic and inorganic soils
These
terms have much to do with the structure of water itself. Water consists of two
hydrogen atoms joined to one oxygen atom (H2O) all in a triangular
pattern. The oxygen is negatively charged whilst the hydrogen end is positively
charged. Thus, water molecules are actually attracted to each other and form
hydrogen bonds.
Water
is inorganic and anything that will mix with water is hydrophilic. Oil and anything that will mix with oil are hydrophobic, which is organic, so when water and oil are mixed they separate (See also
Emulsion)
a)
Soap refers to a liquid cleanser with a slightly acidic pH
b)
Detergents usually contain surfactants (laundry or specialist cleaners)
although most car wash concentrates contain detergents
Alkali
An
alkali is a soluble salt of an alkali metal like sodium or potassium.
Originally, the alkalis used in soap making were obtained from the ashes of
plants, but they are now made commercially. Today, the term alkali describes a
substance that chemically is a base (the opposite of an acid) and that reacts
with and neutralizes an acid. The common alkalis used in soap making are sodium
hydroxide (NaOH), also called caustic soda; and potassium hydroxide (KOH), and
also called caustic potash
Amines
Monoethanolamide (MEA),
Diethanolamides (DEA) and Triethanolamine (TEA) are used in cosmetics as
"buffers" and "emulsifiers". That is to say, they help
control a solution's pH balance (buffer) and they also help water-based and
oil-based ingredients work together (emulsification, they also serve as
anti-foaming agents.
Chelators
Are used in chemical
analysis, as water softeners, and are ingredients in many commercial products.
Citric acid is used to soften water in soaps and laundry detergents. Chelators are commonly used in industrial manufacturing
as detergent additives, stabilizing agents, preservatives, and flavour and
colour retainers. Ethylenediaminetetra acetic acid (EDTA) is one of the most
popular. It is an agent that is capable of forming either four or six bonds
with metal ions. EDTA is widely used for enhancing the cleaning power of
detergents and soaps by forming chelates with the magnesium and calcium metals
in hard water.
Enzymes
[: are responsible for thousands of metabolic
processes that sustain life. They are highly selective catalysts, greatly
accelerating both the rate and specificity of metabolic chemical reactions]
Enzymes are proteins that catalyse
(i.e., increase the rates of) chemical reactions. In enzymatic reactions, the
molecules at the beginning of the process, called substrates, are converted
into different molecules, called products. Almost all chemical reactions in a
biological cell need enzymes in order to occur at rates sufficient for life.
Since enzymes are selective for their substrates and speed up only a few
reactions from among many possibilities, the set of enzymes made in a cell
determines which metabolic pathways occur in that cell.
Like all catalysts, enzymes
work by lowering the activation energy for a reaction, thus dramatically
increasing the rate of the reaction. As a result, products are formed faster
and reactions reach their equilibrium state more rapidly. Most enzyme reaction
rates are millions of times faster than those of comparable un-catalysed
reactions. As with all catalysts, enzymes are not consumed by the reactions
they catalyse, nor do they alter the equilibrium of these reactions.
Enzyme cleaners use
chemicals naturally manufactured by plants and animals that cause chemical
reactions that break down specific types of chemicals. An enzyme is a type of
protein that can break up complex molecules into smaller pieces. Contrary to
popular belief, enzymes are not living things. Enzyme activity can be affected
by other molecules: decreased by inhibitors or increased by activators. Many
drugs and poisons are enzyme inhibitors. Activity is also affected by temperature
(increases in temperatures speed up reactions and help the enzyme function and
develop the end product even faster) pressure and chemical environment (i.e.
pH)
Odour-causing bacteria are
"food" for these micro-organisms that is consumed by the bio-enzymatic
cleaners are converted into two basic compounds: carbon dioxide and water.
Because enzymes only work on specific types of chemicals; proteins, lipids,
sugars, enzyme cleaners must be matched to their purpose.
Enzyme cleaners work quickly
by bio-degrading the stain, they will eliminate grease, oil, dirt, grime,
vomit, urine, blood, coffee or food into its basic carbon, hydrogen or oxygen
element, thereby eliminating the problem. Enzyme cleaners are non-toxic and
effective, they clean better than toxic and non-toxic detergents. Enzymes
cleaners remove odours completely by breaking down the micro-particulates
causing the odour. They are used mainly for carpet and upholstery cleaning.
They will often remove tough stains and odours that other types of cleaners
can’t. You can use different enzymes for different types of stains.
Cloud Point
[:The cloud point of a non-ionic surfactant solution, is the temperature at which the mixture starts to phase separate and two phases appear, thus becoming cloudy] [1]
The temperature at which a surfactant becomes insoluble in water; this becomes important when designing detergents for use in hot water
Catalyst
A catalyst works by lowering
the activation energy for a reaction, thus dramatically increasing the rate of
the reaction. As a result, products are formed faster and reactions reach their
equilibrium state more rapidly. Most reaction rates are millions of times
faster than those of comparable un-catalysed reactions. A catalysts is not
consumed by the reactions they catalyse, nor do they alter the equilibrium of
these reactions.
Controlling pH
Popular chemicals include
sodium hydroxide a caustic metallic base. It is used in many industries, mostly
as a strong chemical base in the manufacture of soaps and detergents; it is
often used to increase the alkalinity of a mixture, or to neutralize acids
Chelators
Are used in chemical
analysis, as water softeners, and are ingredients in many commercial products.
Citric acid is used to soften water in soaps and laundry detergents. Chelators are commonly used in industrial manufacturing
as detergent additives, stabilizing agents, preservatives, and flavour and
colour retainers. Ethylenediaminetetra acetic acid (EDTA) is one of the most
popular. It is an agent that is capable of forming either four or six bonds
with metal ions. EDTA is widely used for enhancing the cleaning power of
detergents and soaps by forming chelates with the magnesium and calcium metals
in hard water.
Fats
and Oils
The
fats and oils used in soap making come from animal or plant sources. Each fat
or oil is made up of a distinctive mixture of several different triglycerides.
In a triglyceride molecule, three fatty acid molecules are attached to one
molecule of glycerin. There are many types of triglycerides; each type consists
of its own particular combination of fatty acids. Fatty acids are the
components of fats and oils that are used in making soap.
They are weak acids composed
of two parts: A carboxylic acid group consisting of one hydrogen (H) atom, two
oxygen (O) atoms, and one carbon (C) atom, plus a hydrocarbon chain
attached to the carboxylic acid group. Generally, it is made up of a long
straight chain of carbon (C) atoms
each carrying two hydrogen (H) atoms.
Phosphates
Sodium tripolyphosphate
(STPP) is an ingredient use to enhance the performance capabilities of
automatic dishwasher detergents. They contribute buffering strength,
sequestering (or chelating) power, dispersion and absorptive capabilities, and
solubility. They not only strip food and grease from dishes but also prevent
food debris becoming reattached during the wash. Phosphates are usually used as
compounds of phosphate ions in combination with one or more common elements,
such as sodium, calcium, potassium, and aluminium
Seventeen states banned
phosphates from dishwasher detergents because the chemical compounds also
pollute lakes, bays and streams as they create algae blooms and starve fish of
oxygen.
Surfactants
Surfactants
perform other important functions in cleaning, such as loosening, emulsifying
(dispersing in water) and holding soil in suspension until it can be rinsed
away. Surfactants can also provide alkalinity, which is useful in removing
acidic soils. Surfactants are classified by their ionic (electrical charge)
properties in water: anionic (negative charge), non-ionic (no charge), cationic
(positive charge) and amphoteric (either positive or negative charge).
Many surfactants will adhere to a paint
surface to enhance gloss or stop water spotting or because they see the paint
protection product as rather similar in structure to the oils they like to bond
with. Many products that contain surfactant will leave a film on the paint
surface, which attracts water so masking any beading or sheeting.
Be cognizant that not all surfactants do
the same thing, nor do they do it to the same degree. A surfactant is to all
intents a ‘wetting agent’, different surfactants have different ability to wet
surfaces. Beading and sheeting (hydrophobic and hydrophilic) are really just
differences in hydrophobicity. A simplistic explanation of a surfactant is a
clingy oil.
Soap
is an anionic surfactant. Other anionic as well as non-ionic surfactants are
the main ingredients in today's detergents. The chemistry of surfactants- soaps
are water-soluble sodium or potassium salts of fatty acids. Soaps are made from
fats and oils, or their fatty acids
Sulphates
Sodium lauryl sulphate, sodium laureth
sulphate, ammonium lauryl sulphate, ammonium laureth sulphate, TEA lauryl
sulphate, and TEA laureth sulphate are collectively called sulphates; sulphates
are surfactants, which create foam and suds
Water
The
liquid solvent most commonly used for cleaning, has a property called surface
tension. In the body of the water, each molecule is surrounded and attracted by
other water molecules. However, at the surface, other water molecules only on
the waterside surround those molecules. A tension is created as the water
molecules at the surface are pulled into the body of the water. This tension
causes water to bead up on surfaces (glass, fabric), which slows wetting of the
surface and inhibits the cleaning process.
You
can see surface tension at work by placing a drop of water onto a counter top.
The drop will hold its shape and will not spread. In the cleaning process,
surface tension must be reduced so water can spread and wet surfaces. Chemicals
that are able to do this effectively are called surface-active agents, or surfactants. They are said to make
water "wetter."
I think this illustrates the
importance of detailers understanding the ‘science’ of cleaning; and to this
end it is helpful to have a basic knowledge of soap and detergent chemistry and
what is needed to achieve effective cleaning
All Purpose Cleaner (APC)
An all-purpose cleaner (APC)
(pH 9.5 – 12.5 dependent upon mfg.) is an aggressive, grease-cutting cleaner
for engine compartments and wheels. It’s better to use a specific stain remover
than to compromise. Always select a chemical / cleaner that are biodegradable,
environmentally friendly and safe to use by observing any precautions
recommended so that they won’t harm you, your vehicle or the environment
Many well-intentioned
detailers use the so-called all-purpose cleaning (APC) chemical for detailing.
Using a product like Simple Green or a degreaser to clean everything from
wheels to carpets is both dangerous and harmful to the materials used for
modern automobile materials. A safer alternate is a d-limonene (citrus-based)
solvent, they are biodegradable, environmentally friendly and safe to use.
There is no such thing as a one size fits all type chemical cleaner, regardless
of what a car care product vendor would have you believe.
Most detailing chemicals are
formulated to remove specific stains and a little knowledge of their pH and
chemical content will help in their correct selection and use; the most common
types of chemicals include surfactants, solvents, wetting agents, Saponifiers
and Chelators
How Soaps are made
Soaps are mixtures of sodium
or potassium salts of fatty acids, which can be derived from oils or fats by
reacting them with an alkali (such as sodium or potassium hydroxide) in a
process known as saponification.
Saponification of fats and
oils is the most widely used soap making process. This method involves heating
fats and oils and react them with a liquid alkali to produce soap and water
(neat soap) plus glycerine.
The other major soap making
process is the neutralization of fatty acids with an alkali. Fats and oils are hydrolysed
(split) with a high-pressure steam to yield crude fatty acids and glycerine.
The fatty acids are then purified by distillation and neutralized with an
alkali to produce soap and water (neat soap).
When the alkali is sodium
hydroxide, sodium soap is formed. Sodium soaps are "hard" soaps. When
the alkali is potassium hydroxide, potassium soap is formed. Potassium soaps
are softer and are found in some liquid hand soaps and shaving creams. The
carboxyl ate end of the soap molecule is attracted to water. It is called the
hydrophilic (water-loving) end. The hydrocarbon chain is attracted to oil and
grease and repelled by water. It is known as the hydrophobic (water-hating)
end.
How Water Hardness Affects Cleaning Action
Although soap is a good
cleaning agent, its effectiveness is reduced when used in hard water. Hardness
in water is caused by the presence of mineral salts - mostly those of calcium
(Ca) and magnesium (Mg), but sometimes also irons (Fe) and manganese (Mn). The
mineral salts react with soap to form an insoluble precipitate known as soap
film or scum. Soap film does not rinse away easily. It tends to remain behind
and produces visible deposits on clothing and makes fabrics feel stiff. It also
attaches to the insides of bathtubs, sinks and washing machines.
Reacting with hard water
minerals to form the film uses up some soap. This reduces the amount of soap
available for cleaning. Even when clothes are washed in soft water, some
hardness minerals are introduced by the soil on clothes. Soap molecules are not
very versatile and cannot be adapted to today's variety of fibres, washing
temperatures and water conditions.
Surfactants in detergents
Definition
[: compounds that lower the surface
tension of a liquid, the interfacial tension between two liquids, or that
between a liquid and a solid. Surfactants may act as detergents, wetting
agents, emulsifiers, foaming agents, and dispersants]
Surfactants actually reduce
the surface tension of water by a factor of three or more. A detergent is an
effective cleaning product because it contains one or more surfactants. Because
of their chemical makeup, the surfactants used in detergents can be engineered
to perform well under a variety of conditions. Sodium stearate, the most common
component of most soap, which comprises about 50% of commercial surfactants; such
surfactants are less sensitive than soap to the hardness minerals in water and
most will not form a film. Detergent surfactants were developed in response to
a shortage of animal and vegetable fats and oils during World War I and World
War II. In addition, a substance that was resistant to hard water was needed to
make cleaning more effective. At that time, petroleum was found to be a
plentiful source for the manufacture of these surfactants.
Surfactants are common to
both washing-up liquids and car care products; namely Sodium laureth sulphate, or sodium lauryl
ether sulphate (SLES) a foaming agent, Dodecylbenzene sulphonic
acid (neutralised with Sodium Hydroxide, Triethanolamine or Isopropanolamine).
Detergent surfactants are
made from a variety of petrochemicals (derived from petroleum) and/or oleo
chemicals (derived from fats and oils). Petrochemicals and Oleo chemicals like
the fatty acids used in soap making, both petroleum and fats and oils contain
hydrocarbon chains that are repelled by water but attracted to oil and grease
in soils.
These hydrocarbon chain
sources are used to make the water-hating end of the surfactant molecule. Other
Chemicals, such as sulphur trioxide, sulphuric acid and ethylene oxide, are
used to produce the water-loving end of the surfactant molecule.
Foaming agents, emulsifiers, and dispersants are all
surfactants which suspend respectively, a gas (air) an immiscible liquid, or a
solid in water or some other liquid. Although there is similarity in these
functions, in practice the surfactants required to perform these functions
differ widely. In emulsification, as an example - the selection of surfactant
or surfactant system will depend on the materials to be used and the properties
desired in the end product. An emulsion can be oil droplets suspended in water,
oil in water emulsion, water suspended in a continuous oil phase, or a mixed
emulsion. The surfactants form what amounts to a protective coating around the
suspended material, and these hydrophilic ends associate with the neighbouring
water molecules.
Solubilisation - is
a function closely related to emulsification. As the size of the emulsified
droplet becomes smaller, a condition is reached where this droplet and the
surfactant micelle are the same size. At this stage, an oil droplet can be
imagined as being in solution in the hydrophobic tails of the surfactant and
the term solubilisation is used. Emulsions are milky in appearance and
solubilised oils, for example - are clear to the eye.
Detergency- the
function of detergency or cleaning is a complex combination of all the previous
functions. The surface to be cleaned and the soil to be removed must initially
be wet and the soils suspended, solubilised, dissolved or separated in some way
so that the soil will not just re-deposit on the surface in question
All surfactants have the following
features: they make the removal of dirt easier by reducing the surface tension
between the water and the paint surface, they produce foam, and this foam
suspends dirt and stops it from being re-deposited.
There are surfactants that
use Marangoni stress to prevent droplet formation, Since a liquid with a high
surface tension pulls more strongly on the surrounding liquid than one with a
low surface tension, the presence of a gradient in surface tension will
naturally cause the liquid to flow away from regions of low surface tension so
that water drains from the surfaces in thin sheets, rather than forming
droplets, its drawback is that it leaves a thin film on the dried surface.
The benefits of using it are
that it prevents "spotting" caused by droplets of water drying and
leaving behind dissolved lime scale minerals, and can also improve drying
performance as there is less water remaining to be dried its drawback is that
it leaves a thin film on the dried surface.
Ionic and non-ionic surfactant - zwitterionic (amphoteric) surfactants have both cationic
and anionic centres attached to the same molecule. The cationic part is based
on primary, secondary, or tertiary amines or quaternary ammonium cations. The
anionic part can be more variable and include sulfonates, as in CHAPS
(3-[(3-Cholamidopropyl) dimethylammonio]-1-propanesulfonate). Other anionic
groups are sultaines illustrated by cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine. Betaines,
e.g., cocamidopropyl Betaines Phosphates: lecithin
Zwitterionic (amphoteric) surfactants have both cationic and anionic centres
attached to the same molecule.
Emollients
Dishwashing detergents
(Dawn, Cascade, Rinse Ad, etc.) contain emollients; an ingredient designed to
protect a person's hands, by keeping them soft and prevent cracking and drying.
However emollients make the paint surface more difficult to dry and leave an
oily residue, this thin film, which also aids ‘sheeting’ from glassware.
The problem is that these
emollients do not rinse away and you are left with a thin film on the vehicles
paint surface, which will negatively impact product cross-linking and its
durability. They also contain Diethanol Amides, which act as foaming agents or
as emulsifiers
Emollients
have three basic properties:
1.
Occlusion - providing a layer of oil on the surface of the skin
to slow water loss and thus increase the moisture content
2.
Humectants - increasing the moisture-holding capacity of the
stratum
3.
Lubrication - adding slip to glide across the skin
Enzymes
Biological
detergents contain enzymes which, although they are natural, are known to cause
allergic reactions such as asthma and dermatitis. This might especially be a
problem for workers manufacturing the products. Enzymes are proteins and are
made from selected strains of bacteria. They are used to digest stains.
Unlike the
rest of Europe where enzymes are in virtually all washing detergents, UK
consumers are not keen on enzymes and manufacturers have had to split their products
into bio and non-bio.
Although
they are effective cleaners, enzymes are very aggressive for people with
allergies. Many of the mainstream biological formulas utilise several different
enzymes to attack different stains and this cocktail of chemicals can make
allergy sufferers more prone to a reaction. So conventional products may use
genetically-modified enzymes to get them to Cloud Point
[:The cloud point of a non-ionic
surfactant solution, is the temperature at which the mixture starts to phase separate and two phases
appear, thus becoming cloudy] [1]
The
temperature at which a surfactant becomes insoluble in water; this becomes
important when designing detergents for use in hot water work at 30°C or below.
Phosphates
Phosphates
are water softeners, but their release into waterways can lead to algal blooms
that stifle fish and other aquatic life. Although their use has halved since
the 1980s when this ingredient attracted much criticism, they are still an
issue.
Detergents are the third largest source
of phosphate discharge into surface water after agriculture (mainly from
fertilisers and livestock feed), and human sewage.
Perfume
Synthetic fragrances are used by most
mainstream detergents. The word ‘Fragrance’ or ‘Parfum’ on a label represents
an undisclosed mixture of various scent chemicals and ingredients—including
hormone-disrupting phthalates, synthetic musk’s, and ethylene oxide. Phthalates
are hormone disrupting chemicals, which can affect reproductive development and
fertility. Fragrance mixes have also been associated with allergies, dermatitis
and respiratory problems. Alternative producers are either fragrance-free or
they use essential oils.
Optical
Brightener
[: are dyes
that absorb light in the ultraviolet and violet region (usually 340-370 nm) of
the electromagnetic spectrum, and re-emit light in the blue region (typically
420-470 nm)]
Brighteners (Z)-Stilbene) is one
of several different chemicals used and were once commonly added to
laundry detergents to replace whitening agents removed during washing and to
make the clothes appear cleaner. Optical brighteners have replaced bluing which
was formerly used to produce the same effect. Some brighteners can cause allergic
reactions when in contact with skin, depending on the individual.
These synthetic chemicals
that make fabrics appear to glow in the presence of ultraviolet light;
something that is really clean should not be an optical illusion; they don't
have anything to do with getting things clean -- they're only added to
detergents to make us think our laundry is brighter and whiter than it really
is. These agents absorb ultraviolet light and emit it back as visible blue
light.
Optical brighteners are
actually ultraviolet dyes that may be invisible under many lighting conditions;
for an optical brightener to work properly it must be exposed to ultraviolet
light usually from sunlight; thus, they’re not of much value if the light
falling on the treated surface is mainly incandescent (light bulbs).
There are additional
potential problems with the use of optical brighteners; one of these is its
tendency to yellow with age, which is one of the reasons that carpet and
furniture manufacturers discourage its use. This chemical is not biodegradable
and can pass through waste-water treatment plants and endanger aquatic plants
and fish
How Detergent Surfactants Are Made Anionic Surfactants
The
chemical reacts with hydrocarbons derived from petroleum or fats and oils to
produce new acids similar to fatty acids. A second reaction adds an alkali to
the new acids to produce one type of anionic surfactant molecule. First
converting the hydrocarbon to an alcohol and then react with the fatty alcohol
with ethylene oxide produce non-ionic surfactants non-ionic surfactant
molecules. These non-ionic surfactants can be reacted further with sulphur
containing acids to form another type of anionic surfactant.
How
Soaps and Detergents work
Soap
is usually a blend of several surfactants, which are two opposing polar groups,
hydrophilic and a non-polar group lipophilic. The interaction of these two
groups in water will reduce the surface tension of water from 72 to 35 dynes/cm
soap creates foam by trapping air inside, which is about 95% air and 5% soap /
water, this foam has no effect on its cleaning ability. The/surfactants use
emulsification to dissolve and encapsulate oily particles and that reduces the amount
of active surfactants left in the bucket. So if the surface is very oily, you
will see a substantial drop in the suds and therefore a reduction in its
cleaning ability.
These
types of energy interact and should be in proper balance. Let's look at how
they work together. Let's assume we have oily, greasy soil on clothing. Water
alone will not remove this soil. Nearly all compounds fall into one of two
categories: hydrophilic
('water-loving') and hydrophobic
('water-hating'). Water and anything that will mix with water are hydrophilic. Oil and anything that will
mix with oil are hydrophobic. When
water and oil are mixed they separate.
Hydrophilic
and hydrophobic compounds just don't mix. These opposing forces loosen the soil
and suspend it in the water. Warm or hot water helps dissolve grease and oil in
soil.
Washing
machine agitation or hand rubbing helps pull the soil free. The cleansing
action of soap is determined by its polar and non-polar structures in
conjunction with an application of solubility principles.
One important reason is that oil and grease
present in soil repel the water molecules. Now let's add soap or detergent. The
surfactant's water-hating end (lipophilic) is repelled by water but attracted
to the oil in the soil.
At
the same time, the water-loving end (hydrophilic) is attracted to the water
molecules.
Back
when laundry was done with soap flakes, suds level was an indicator of cleaning
performance. So, many people today think that a good rich level of suds is
necessary for clean laundry. However, this is no longer true. Today's detergents
are formulated to have any suds level desired without affecting cleaning
performance. "They make the removal of dirt easier by adding surfactants
that reduce the surface tension between the water and the paint surface.
In reality suds (a chemical
foaming agent - Diethanolamides or Sodium laureth sulphate or sodium lauryl
ether sulphate) do absolutely nothing to clean, they are simply a structure
that a portion of the solution had taken due to being mixed with air; they
still contain the same ratio of soap. They are however, a good indicator of the
amount of active soap in the solution.
The
amount of foaming produced has nothing to do with its cleaning efficiency
(although it does provide a means of encapsulation as well as acting a cushion
between the paint surfaces and cleaning tool) They are there simply because we are so
ingrained with the idea that soap suds do the cleaning that it is impossible to
use anything else.
In
almost all detergents the suds are made by a foaming agent, not by the cleaning
agents in the detergent. In fact, industrial cleaners usually have no foaming
agents and specialized users do not want suds. Think of a hand degreaser, or rinse
less car washes (ONR) there are no suds yet it sure does the job
Car Wash Concentrates
A good quality car wash should
provide a slightly alkaline pH and a balanced blend of active biodegradable
ingredients, to provide lubrication to prevent scratching, to lift and
encapsulate dirt, road grime and oils.
Washing-up
Liquids
(Detergent)
The use of this type of detergent has been debated for years among car
detailing enthusiasts. Problems arise when
people use dish washing liquid as their normal car wash soap. From a chemical
standpoint using dishwashing detergents to clean a porous, sensitive clear coat
paint surface is very poor choice.
Notable brands of dishwashing liquid include Procter
& Gamble’s Dawn®, which is the leading brand in the United States, and Fairy
Liquid, which is the bestselling brand in the United Kingdom and
similar type dish washing liquids chemistry relies primarily on detergent and
surfactant technology. This type of chemistry has advanced to the point that it
can be engineered to specific soils (i.e. organic grease)
Detergent and soap chemistry
and product formulation is a lot more complicated than this, suffice it to say;
modern car wash formulations are automotive soil specific. As a means of paint
surface preparation and the removal of wax / polymer sealants it’s not very
effective as paint protection products are usually formulated to be detergent
resistant
[Your car surface and the dirt that gets on it
are a lot different from the food soils and dishes that dishwashing liquids
clean effectively. We don't recommend them for cleaning your car] Proctor and Gamble
Water quality
Such as pH values, mineral
content, harness, etc. surfactants used and other characteristics will affect
how well a car wash concentrate works. As well as conditioners to maintain the
shine without stripping the paint of essential oils (the way detergents do) and
dispersing them in the rinsing process, warm water (not hot) will improve the
cleaning abilities of wash concentrates.
The amount of foaming
produced has nothing to do with its cleaning efficiency (although it does
provide a means of encapsulation as well as acting a cushion between the paint
surfaces and cleaning tool) when laundry was done with soap flakes; suds level
was an indicator of cleaning performance. Many people still equate a good rich
level of suds with cleaning; however, this is no longer true. Today's quality
car wash concentrates are formulated with anionic surfactants that have a very
low suds level without affecting cleaning performance. One of the advantages of
this formulation is that road dirt and grime are encapsulated in its structure
(micelles), which makes for very easy and efficient rinsing.
The harsh detergents found
in some car wash soaps contain sodium silicate or sodium hydroxide may etch the
surface of the clear-coat leaving white residue or dulling the entire finish.
Car wash concentrates that contain a high foaming (suds) agent can be
corrosive, if sodium (salt) is used as an agent to create the foaming. The
usual dilution is l oz. per two gallons water (using a lesser dilution will
leave a film on the paint surface) Avoid products that contain harsh detergents
as they will emulsify and leach out any oils or waxes that provide protection
and/or flexibility (See
also Alkalinity, pH Values, Hard Water, Water Filtration
I
would like to think that these articles become an asset to anyone who is new to
detailing and to professionals alike, as well as industry experts who seek to
advance their knowledge.
I hope the
above article was informative. By having some understanding of the ‘What’ and
‘Why’ as well as the ‘How’ along with a little science to help you understand
how the chemicals we use react, you can achieve the results you desire.
I would appreciate it if you would share this article as it
helps other detailers further their knowledge.
Questions and/ or constructive
comments are always appreciated.
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© 2002 - 2012 TOGWT® (Established 1980) all rights reserved
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