What is the effect of surfactants in dishwashing liquid on cleaning effect?
Publish Time: 2025-04-09
As an indispensable cleaning product in daily life, dishwashing liquid has surfactant as one of its core ingredients. Surfactants play a vital role in dishwashing liquid. They not only directly affect the cleaning effect, but also determine the product's user experience and environmental performance. By deeply understanding the working principle and characteristics of surfactants, we can better understand how they can improve the overall performance of dishwashing liquid.Surfactants have a unique molecular structure, containing hydrophilic groups and hydrophobic groups. Hydrophilic groups tend to bind to water molecules, while hydrophobic groups prefer to interact with non-polar substances such as grease. This amphiphilicity enables surfactants to form a stable emulsion layer at the oil-water interface, thereby breaking the interfacial tension between oil droplets, dispersing grease into tiny particles and suspending them in water, making them easier to rinse. Specifically, in kitchen cleaning, surfactants can quickly penetrate into the mixture of food residues and grease, wrap the grease molecules, and peel them off the surface of the tableware. This process not only improves cleaning efficiency, but also reduces the workload of manual wiping.Different types of surfactants show different effects in the cleaning process due to their different chemical structures. Cationic surfactants usually have good sterilization and disinfection capabilities due to their positive charge, but they are rarely used in household dishwashing liquid formulations because they are irritating to the skin. Anionic surfactants such as sodium dodecyl sulfate (SLS) and sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate (LAS) are one of the most common types. They have strong detergency, rich foam and are relatively cheap, making them suitable for large-scale production. Nonionic surfactants such as fatty alcohol polyoxyethylene ether (AEO) are known for their mildness and good solubility, and are especially suitable for users with sensitive skin or occasions that require delicate cleaning. Zwitterionic surfactants have both cationic and anionic characteristics, can adjust their own charge state under specific pH conditions, have good compatibility and stability, and are often used in combination with other types of surfactants to enhance overall performance.In addition to the basic detergency function, surfactants can also improve other properties of dishwashing liquid. For example, foam properties are an important consideration. Although rich foam does not directly equate to stronger cleaning power, it does give people a better user experience and also helps to remove dirt from the surface of objects. Some surfactants can produce long-lasting and delicate foam, which helps to prolong the cleaning time and ensure that all stains are completely removed. In addition, proper foam can also reduce friction and avoid scratching valuable tableware.Another thing worth paying attention to is the biodegradability of surfactants. With the increasing awareness of environmental protection, consumers are increasingly inclined to choose products that have less impact on the environment. Although traditional phosphorus-containing surfactants have significant decontamination effects, they are difficult to degrade in the natural environment and may cause problems such as eutrophication of water bodies. Therefore, the development of new green surfactants has become a trend in the development of the industry. Many modern dishwashing liquids use surfactants from natural sources, such as coconut oil-derived surfactants. These materials not only have excellent cleaning properties, but are also easily decomposed by microorganisms and will not cause long-term harm to the ecosystem.It is worth noting that the choice of surfactants does not exist in isolation, but must comprehensively consider the needs of the entire formulation system. For example, under hard water conditions, some surfactants may combine with calcium and magnesium ions in the water to form precipitation, reducing the cleaning effect. To solve this problem, formulators will add chelating agents or adjust the proportion of surfactants to ensure that the product remains efficient under various water conditions. In addition, in order to meet the diverse needs of consumers, such as removing odors, adding fragrance, and providing additional antibacterial protection, corresponding auxiliary ingredients will be added to the formula to work together with surfactants to improve the overall performance of dishwashing liquid.In short, as the core component of dishwashing liquid, surfactants play an irreplaceable role in decontamination, emulsification, and dispersion through their unique molecular structure and chemical properties. Whether it is to improve cleaning efficiency, optimize user experience, or respond to environmental protection requirements, the reasonable selection and matching of surfactants are the key to achieving high-quality dishwashing liquid. With the advancement of technology and changes in market demand, more innovative surfactant solutions are expected to emerge in the future, further promoting the healthy development of the cleaning products industry.
