ABSTRACT
I. Introduction ............................................................................................................. 52 A. Scope of Chapter......................................................................................... 52 B. Why Different Forms? ................................................................................ 52
II. Unifying Formulation Concepts.............................................................................. 54 III. Typical Laundry Detergent Ingredients .................................................................. 56
A. Surfactants ................................................................................................... 56 1. Anionic Surfactants ............................................................................... 56 2. Nonionic Surfactants ............................................................................. 56 3. Cationic Surfactants............................................................................... 58 4. Others..................................................................................................... 58
B. Builders........................................................................................................ 58 C. Polymers ...................................................................................................... 59 D. Enzymes ...................................................................................................... 61 E. Bleach .......................................................................................................... 62 F. Chelating Agents ......................................................................................... 63 G. Perfumes ...................................................................................................... 63 H. “Minors” ...................................................................................................... 65
IV. Heavy Duty Granules.............................................................................................. 66 A. Phosphate vs. Nil-Phosphate....................................................................... 67 B. Low Density vs. High Density ................................................................... 69 C. Machine Wash vs. Handwash ..................................................................... 70
V. Heavy Duty Liquids ................................................................................................ 71 A. Isotropic Liquids ......................................................................................... 71 B. Structured Liquids ....................................................................................... 76 C. Bleach-Containing Liquids ......................................................................... 79 D. Dual-Bottle Liquids..................................................................................... 81
52 Watson
VI. Unit Dose Detergents............................................................................................. 82 A. Tablets.......................................................................................................... 82 B. Liqui-Tabs.................................................................................................... 87 C. Sheets........................................................................................................... 89
VII. Laundry Bars ........................................................................................................... 90 VIII. Specialty Detergents................................................................................................ 93
A. Care Formulas ............................................................................................. 94 B. 2-in-1 Detergents......................................................................................... 96
IX. Summary.................................................................................................................. 99 Acknowledgments........................................................................................................... 100 References ....................................................................................................................... 100
I. INTRODUCTION
A. Scope of Chapter A chapter on laundry detergent formulations would have been significantly shorter and less complex a few decades ago. It wasn’t so long ago that the same basic detergent was used for clothes, dishes, floors, and even the body! In the search for ever better cleaning and value, and larger market shares, there has been an incredible multiplication of laundry detergents. Not all of the forms and formulations are available or relevant in every market. Nonetheless, today in most markets the choices presented to consumers in the laundry detergent section of their local store is nothing short of bewildering. Likewise, the number of choices and demands faced by the detergent formulator continues to grow.
