by Adebowale Ajose

Created on: April 23, 2009

Detergent could be said to be a cleansing agent that is different from normal soap. It has the ability to emulsify oils and hold dirt in suspension. Liquid detergents are however the liquid form of solid and they share same properties with solid detergents.

A detergent is formulated to comprise of the surface active agents or ingredients which is the essential ingredients and subsidiary ingredients these ingredients includes builders, boosters, fillers and auxiliaries. In all detergents the Surface Active Agent forms the most important part of the detergent.

Surface active agents are also known as surfactants lowers the surface tension of the medium in which it is dissolved, they act by weaken interfacial tension and changes the properties of an interface. With my formulation (SLS) Sodium Laureth Sulfate is the Surfactant in use. At this junction the question is how do I go about it.

Apart from Sodium Laureth Sulfate you will definitely need some other ingredients. These include Sodium Hydroxides (Caustic Soda) pallet or powder is used as a base during detergent production, Sulphonic Acid/Sulfonic acid. Sulfonic acid is an organic acid which is very important in liquid detergent production. It neutralizes the basic effect of sodium hydroxide. STPP (Sodium Tripoly Phosphate) in liquid detergent it help to softens water, suspends soil, and serves as an anti-spotting agent. It is a good builder and also ensures stability of liquid detergents when used. Other components of a liquid detergent are citric acid also a builder and a preservative, formalin basically a preservative which prevent proliferation of micro-organism in the liquid detergent and fragrance to give good and pleasant odour.

Producing liquid detergent requires the use of a homogenizing mixer which will ensure the mixing is thorough during production. Mixing should be thorough and consistency is a very vital part of the production process.

Mixer Process
Pour water in the homogenizing machine and add sodium hydroxide (Caustic Soda) pallet or powder, ensure to mix thoroughly before neutralizing with Sulphonic Acid. Care must be taken not to allow the homogenized solution to get acidic thus there is a need for pH paper to test the pH of the solution as the Sulphonic Acid is being poured into the Sodium hydroxide solution. One a pH of seven is attained; all other components will then be poured in this order, STPP, Formalin, Citric acid and finally the fragrance.

In some liquid detergent optical brighteners such as blank camphor are use to enhance the quality of the liquid detergent, how ever this varies with the manufacturer.

Finally it must be noted that if the liquid detergent is not well mixed by the homogenizer there is a strong probability of sedimentation of the various component because it is a mixture and not a compound. Therefore mixing is a very important part of liquid detergent production.

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