"Concentrated detergent" gives people the impression of having super cleaning power, but what exactly is considered "concentrated"? And what should a "concentrated" detergent look like?
What is "concentration"?
The concentration in a detergent is defined as the "surfactant content." Surfactants are the source of detergency and cleaning power. Generally, the surfactant content of a detergent is 15%. If the surfactant content is high (over 15%), less detergent is required; if the content is low (less than 15%), more detergent is required.
Therefore, when the surfactant content exceeds 15%, it can be called a concentrated formula.
Concentrated detergents may give people the impression that they are toxic or chemical, but by definition, concentrated detergents are not necessarily bad. Reducing the amount of water can reduce the problem of microbial growth in the water, making the product more stable. The reduction in water content, volume, and weight also aids logistics and reduces transportation energy consumption.
Thick dishwashing liquid does not mean strong degreasing power
Thick textures often give people a feeling of concentration, but in fact, thickness and concentration are not necessarily related.
Some detergents appear thick due to the addition of large amounts of thickeners , giving consumers a concentrated feeling, much like thickening food with cornstarch. However, thickeners do not contribute to the cleaning effect. Moreover, most chemical thickeners are poorly soluble in water and difficult to decompose, causing many negative long-term effects on the human body and the environment.
Some cleaners may appear light in texture, but they contain high levels of surfactants and therefore have a superior cleaning effect.
How do thickeners affect our lives?
▍Shower gel
Bath products containing thickeners may cause skin allergies. Long-term accumulation will damage the skin's sebum layer, making the skin tight and dry, and weakening the skin's immunity. People with sensitive skin will obviously feel their skin problems worsen.
Dishwashing liquid
Dishwashing detergent with thickeners can easily become incompletely rinsed, leading to ingestion. According to international research, even after 12 rinses of dishwashing detergent, 0.03% of the detergent remains on dishes. If consumed three times daily, this translates to consuming an entire bottle of dishwashing detergent over three years.
Due to concerns about residual residue, the practice of "diluting dishwashing liquid with water" is popular in the market. However, whether adding it to raw water or drinking water, the bacteria in the water will affect the product's antiseptic effect, increase the chance of bacterial growth, and accelerate the possibility of product deterioration, which in turn threatens our health.
Laundry detergent
If the washing machine uses laundry detergent containing thickeners for a long time, it may cause scale problems due to the accumulation of detergent. In addition to affecting the washing effect, the scale may easily form mold over time, making the clothes have a faint musty smell no matter how they are washed.
▍Weakened cleaning effect
As mentioned earlier, the detergency and degreasing power depend on the content of surfactants. Once the ingredients include thickeners, the proportion of surfactants may be reduced, weakening the cleaning effect. This is probably also a cost-saving practice for some products.
Consume more water
Because it is thick and difficult to rinse out, we will need to spend more water and time to rinse.
Environmental pollution
After all, thickener is a chemical component that does not contribute to cleaning, and the household wastewater after flushing will increase the burden on sewage treatment and the environment.
Therefore, it is important to reduce unnecessary ingredients .
Choose a cleanser with simple ingredients
Welcome to click on the product to view ingredients
▍Skin -friendly dishwashing bubble mousse
▍Mugwort/Unscented Bubble Mousse
▍Mugwort laundry detergent
Stay away from pseudo-concentrated detergents with added thickeners and protect our own health and be kind to the environment.