Detergent

Cleaning products are consumables, which are used for the purification of a wide variety of items and objects. They cause or assist in the removal of contaminants as a result of use or of residues and buildup from the manufacturing process of the object.

Most detergents are used in combination with water, which itself can contribute a substantial part of the cleaning performance as the polar solvent. At the same time with the water, the dirt is carried away. During the chemical cleaning of textiles, however, the cleaning is carried out in non-aqueous solvents.

Detergents for cleaning textiles, their precursors and leather used cleaning agents are also cleaning agents, but include, for example not having a detergent.

Also, pharmaceutical or cosmetic preparations for body care can be assigned to the cleaners.

Species

Cleaning agents can be distinguished according to the intended application or the active components contained.

After application

Different applications require different cleaning agents. Often these consist of a combination of washing active substances and other proportions as auxiliary and perfumes:

• Body hygiene: like soap, shampoo, shower gel, liquid soap, toothpaste, hand cleaner
• Linen and textiles: detergent ( Vollwaschmittel, color detergent, fabric softener, etc.), Gallseife
• Utensils ( cooking utensils, crockery and cutlery): dishwashing detergent, dishwashing detergent, rinse aid
• Surfaces in the home and work spaces: Neutral cleaner, scouring powder ( scouring ), window cleaner
• Lime Remover: Descaler, limescale
• Other: pipe cleaner, brake cleaner, alcohol cleaners, general purpose cleaners, glass cleaners, sanitary cleaners, toilet cleaners, carpet cleaners, car care products, etc.
• Commercial and industrial production: parts cleaning with degreasers

By component

The respective ingredients are nachlesbar in the safety data sheets in accordance with EC Directive 91/155/EEC.

Active component

To remove different types of contaminants, different components, which often occur in combination in cleaning agents are:

• Surfactants: Solve for example, of hydrophobic contaminants such as grease and oil in an aqueous wash liquor by about soap, various petrochemical or oleochemical surfactants or biosurfactants produced
• Abrasives: removing solid contaminants by scrubbing
• Acids: removal of acid-soluble contaminants such as calcium carbonate ( CaCO3) as by citric and acetic acid or by decomposition into carbonic acid and dissolved calcium
• Bases: Remove grease and oil ( alkaline cleaner)
• Bleach: for decolorizing contamination and disinfection; For example, oxygen-rich compounds such as chlorine, hypochlorites in chlorine cleaners; Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2 ) containing or releasing compounds, such as percarbonate and sodium perborate in oxygen cleaners
• Enzymes decomposing contaminants into smaller, soluble fractions, eg, by amylases (starch), lipases (fats), proteases (protein ), etc.

Other components

It may be present in detergents additional shares, which amplify the effect of the active components, or to cause visually or by means of smell a perceived purity:

• Excipients such as builders for water softening
• Fragrances
• Brighteners
• Shares, which help to prevent re- contamination or to reduce

And many more

Consumption

End of 2000, a total of about 54,000 detergents and cleaning agents from around 4,500 companies on the German market. This year, over 5,600 new washing and cleaning agents or new compositions of existing brands were marketed in Germany alone. 1998, more than one million tons was in German households detergents and cleaning agents used, of which 665,000 tons detergent.

Environmental and health impact

The composition of detergents is to prevent the entry of polluting substances into waters regulated in Germany, among others, by the washing and cleaning Substances Act ( WRMG ). In particular, the biodegradability of the surfactants contained is regulated. Accordingly allowed detergents and cleaning agents are only as placed on the market, that as a result of their use any avoidable damage to human health and the environment, in particular the nature of the waters, especially in view of the natural environment and the drinking water supply, and an impairment of the operation omitted from wastewater plants. In Switzerland, detergents and cleaning agents are annexes 2.1 and 2.2, regulated in the ChemRRV.

For example, up to about the mid-20th century soap ( a surfactant ) was the most important detergent. This mainly based on renewable raw materials oleochemischeProdukt was increasingly replaced by petro- chemically produced surfactants. These were mostly poorly biodegradable, however, and led to ecological problems. Due to receivables for biological degradability among others won in WRMG surfactants from renewable raw materials (eg sugar surfactants from sugar and vegetable oil ) lost its meaning. Today they make up approximately 50 percent of the surfactants produced. The WRMG also called for a reduction in the use of phosphate, which was used as a water softener in detergents. Phosphate led by entry into waters also to ecological problems (eutrophication). The formulations of detergents and cleaning agents must be reported to the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, in order to protect consumers from health risks.

According to a press release of the German Federal Environment Agency of 14 October 2011, came in 2009 to 665 cases of poisoning by cleaning agents. Since 1990, nearly 10,000 cases were reported, of which about 90 % are associated with professional activities. Accidents in the home could be reduced if the instructions are read better and the cleaning equipment is stored out of the reach of children.