DETERGENT USES

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32007, 6 June 1969, Page 2

DETERGENT USES

A bewildering array of soap powders, liquid detergents, soap flakes, and bars of soap are on sale in New Zealand, but you need not be confused if you understand the basic properties of each, writes an officer of the Department of Agriculture.

All have been manufactured to do certain jobs on wash days. Water, mechanical action, and a detergent are needed if soiling is to be removed effectively. Detergents include soaps and synthetic detergents, otherwise known as syndets.

Detergents work on the principle of wetting the dirt and the surface underneath. Surprisingly, this is quicker with a soap powder or syndet. The dirt is loosened because it is attracted chemically to the soap or syndet ft is then dispersed in the form of small particles throughout the washing water and suspended there. GREY CLOTHES The dirt does not settle back in the clothes because detergent surrounds each dirt particle. Greyness in clothes often comes from this resettling of dirt when there has not been adequate detergent used to hold the dirt particles, or when there has been insufficient rinsing. Laundry soaps eome in a

variety of forms, and each has its own particular use.

Soap flakes are known as “unbuilt” and are neutral in action. They are suitable for lightly soiled clothes and delicate fabrics and are intended for the hand-launder-ing of lingerie, stockings, fine blouses, and baby clothes. They should not be used for heavily-soiled garments. Bar soaps usually have extra alkali, such as washing soda, and this Increases their washing power. These are known as “built” soaps. Soap powders also contain extra alkali to improve their cleaning power. They are designed for the general family laundry and heavily soiled garments. They are made up from powdered soap with bleaches, brighteners and water softeners added to give extra properties. The brighteners help give whiteness to fabrics.

Soap is an excellent soil remover in soft water but in hard water will form a sticky curd, which is difficult to rinse off and will cause greyness in the laundered article because there is still soil in the fabric.

Syndets are complex chemicals which dissolve readily in water, whether hot or cold, and work equally as well in soft or hard water. They do not suspend dirt particles as well as soap, but today manufacturers are adding additional chemicals to their syndets to overcome this problem. Liquid detergent*, which

are neutral in action, are ideal for washing woollens or dishes.

Powder detergents have extra alkali and are “built” detergents. Like the “built” soap powders, they are to be used for the family wash and are ideal for cleaning oily, greasy clothing. The quantity of suds is no guide to the efficiency of syndets. The syndets which produce few suds should be used for tumbler-type washing machines. ft is important to use the right amount of syndet when washing. With too little, the soil is not removed completely; too much can create enough suds to block the machine, causing inefficiency and even mechanical break-down of the machine. THOROUGH RINSE

Thorough rinsing is difficult when excessive amounts of syndet have ben used. The amount of detergent used depends on the manufacturers’ recommendations. The amount of water, degree of hardness in the water, and the degree of soiling play an essential part in the cleaning action. Two to three inches of suds is enough for effective cleaning. Whether you should buy soap or syndet depends on the hardness of the water, the fabrics to be washed, the type of washing machine, and the recommendations of the manufacturers. Syndets are usually dearer than soap powders in New Zealand.