Detergents

Collective term for complex mixtures of various liquid, gel-like or powdery substances used for cleaning textiles. They contain substances which are able to dissolve impurities from textiles.

Detergents contain the following components in different compositions:

• Surfactants (mostly genetically engineered washing-active main components). Depending on the detergent, they make up a share of about 20 to 30%. Anionic (e.g. linear alkylbenzene sulphonates (LAS), secondary alkane sulphonates (SAS), fatty alcohol sulphates (FAS), and methyl ester sulphonates (MES)) and nonionic surfactants (e.g. fatty alcohol polyglycol ethers (FAE) and sugar surfactants) are used. You can also demonstrate good washing results at low washing temperatures.
• Fabric softener: The active substances are usually cationic surfactants. Their biodegradation work is often insufficient.
• Water softeners such as zeolite A, layer silicates and citrates.
• Washing alkalis to increase the pH value of the washing liquor.
• Enzymes which are able to split protein, starch and fat containing stains. These include amylases, lipases, proteases and cellulases.
• Optical brighteners: These are photoactive organic dyes, also called whiteners or whitening agents, which convert non-visible, absorbed UV radiation into visible blue light. This effect is suitable to compensate for yellowing due to residual substances. For example, they make white laundry appear in a lighter "white".
• Dirt carriers that keep detached dirt in suspension.
• Defoamers: These include curd soaps and silicones which regulate the foam development.
• Fragrances: These mask the inherent odour of the laundry.
• Agents or trickle salts: These include sodium sulphate. These retain the powdery substance of a detergent during its storage.