Correlation analysis between particulate soil removal and surface properties of laundry detergent solutions

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to correlate surface properties of laundry detergents and model surfactant solutions with their washing abilities. For the study, laundry detergents available on the Polish market were selected and categorized according to their retail price: the cheapest (P1, P2, P3), average priced (P4, P5, P6, P7, P8) and the most expensive (P9, P10). Anionic sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate and nonionic nonaethylene glycol monodecyl ether were used for the preparation of the model solutions. The content of the anionic and nonionic surfactants in the detergents was determined. Cotton fabrics were soiled with black carbon/olive oil, make-up, curry, red wine, tomato sauce, blood, chocolate, peat, tea, -carotene, grass, animal fat/red dye, baby food, clay, butter and used engine oil. Detergency tests were carried out at a temperature of 40 C in laboratory conditions using washing powders and model surfactant solutions in various concentrations. On the basis of the correlation between detergency and detergent properties, the most favorable size range of powder granules was identified. The negative correlation between contact angle, surface tension and detergency and the positive relationship between phosphorus pentoxide and active oxygen content, spreading coefficient, diffusion coefficient and detergency were determined. The closest correlation between surfactant content and detergency was observed at a concentration of 10 g/L, which resulted in maximum detergency. When the emulsifying properties were better, their soil removal efficiency was greater. Based on the analysis of the correlation, the characteristics of the tested laundry detergent solutions that had the greatest ability to remove dirt were described.

Cold Water Detergency of Triacylglycerol Semisolid Soils: The Effect of Salinity, Alcohol Type, and Surfactant Systems

“…It was also observed that the addition of 2-butanol or 1-decanol demonstrated higher contact angle values corresponding to poorer cold water detergency. This is consistent with Kalak and Cierpiszewski (2015) who found that the good detergency of activated carbon (a particulate soil) in various surfactant systems was highly related to a low contact angle. Contact angle is thus identified as an important parameter for design of optimized detergency formulations in cold water detergency of semisolid soils.…”

“…However, contact angle values in this current study were slightly different. This variation somewhat depends on the properties of surfactants, fabric, and soil studied (Kalak and Cierpiszewski, ). It was also observed that the addition of 2‐butanol or 1‐decanol demonstrated higher contact angle values corresponding to poorer cold water detergency.…”

“…Wettability was assessed by contact angle measurement of a surfactant drop against the solid soil surface. Previous research has demonstrated that a correlation between the contact angle and detergency of solid soils (Kalak and Cierpiszewski, 2015;Kanasaki et al, 2016a). A smaller contact angle (<90 ) corresponds to higher wettability (Wasan et al, 1988).…”

Effect of Surfactant Systems, Alcohol Types, and Salinity on Cold‐Water Detergency of Triacylglycerol Semisolid Soil. Part II

“…Surfactants have been used as one of the active components in laundry detergents because they can reduce surface tension, interfacial tension (IFT), and also increase the wettability of the substrate surface, thereby enhancing the cleaning process (Charoensaeng et al, 2008;Kalak and Cierpiszewski, 2015;Rosen and Kunjappu, 2004;Witthayapanyanon et al, 2010). Anionic surfactants have been widely used in cleaning applications due to temperature insensitivity (Velásquez et al, 2010).…”

Clean laundry with pure conscience—A study on laundry practices among Finnish consumers

“…However, in Finland only a few surveys exist, and the most recent was published in 2002 (Aalto, ). In many studies, the focus has been on environmentally friendly washing and laundry procedures as well as washing technology and agents in processes, such as decreasing the use of energy, water, and amounts of chemicals ( Honisch, Stamminger, & Bockmühl, ; Abeliotis et al, ; Cameron, ; Gooijer & Stamminger, ; Hellmut & Dreja, ; Kalak & Cierpiszewski, ; Kruschwitz, Ausburg, & Stamminger, ; Laitala & Kjeldsberg, ; Laitala et al, ; Lambert et al, ; Scheid et al, ; Schmitz & Stamminger, ).…”