ABSTRACT
I. The Formulation of Liquid Bleaches.................................................................... 180 A. Introduction ............................................................................................... 180 B. Evaluation of the Performance of Liquid Bleaches ................................. 180
1. Washing Procedure .................................................................... 180 2. Stain Removal Test .................................................................... 180 3. Fabric Oxidation ........................................................................ 181
II. The Formulation of Liquid Chlorine Bleaches .................................................... 182 A. Introduction ............................................................................................... 182 B. Stability of Hypochlorite Liquid Bleach Formulations............................ 183 C. Fabric Safety Profile of Hypochlorite Bleaches ....................................... 187
III. The Formulation of Liquid Hydrogen Peroxide Bleaches ................................... 191 A. Introduction ............................................................................................... 191 B. Stability of Liquid Hydrogen Peroxide .................................................... 192 C. Boosting the Performance of Liquid Hydrogen Peroxide........................ 198
1. Activation by Peracid Precursors .............................................. 198 2. Peracids in Equilibrium with Hydrogen Peroxide .................... 199 3. Activation by Alkaline pH......................................................... 200
D. Color and Fabric Safety ............................................................................ 201 IV Future Trends ....................................................................................................... 202 Acknowledgments........................................................................................................... 203 References ....................................................................................................................... 203
I. THE FORMULATION OF LIQUID BLEACHES
A. Introduction The removal of tough stains from laundry is the main benefit delivered by liquid bleaches. Although there are significant differences in usage habits across different geographies, a common element is that liquid bleaches are used as detergent boosters, i.e., to improve the stain removal performance of laundry detergents. Depending on the type of bleach and the geography, this is done by combining the bleach with the detergent either in the same or in a separate washing step. Despite continuous improvements in the technology of laundry detergents, which more and more often tend to incorporate a built-in bleach system, the consumer need for separate bleach products has not diminished. Part of the reason may be the fact that a separate bleach product allows consumers to have more control on the laundry process, since they can tune the ratio between the detergent and the bleach in a continuous manner, based on their own perception of how dirty and stained their laundry is. A second key benefit delivered by liquid bleaches is hygiene and disinfection. This benefit is very important for consumers both in laundry and in hard surface cleaning applications of bleach products. For many consumers, particularly in Southern Europe, the odor left on surfaces by hypochlorite bleach is an unequivocal signal of indepth cleaning and disinfection.
