| Ingredient |
Primary Functions
Comments |
Typical Examples |
Abrasives
|
Supply smoothing, scrubbing and/or polishing action |
Calcite
Feldspar
Quartz
Sand |
Acids
|
Neutralize or adjust alkalinity of other ingredients
Some specialty cleaners need extra acidity to remove mineral build-up |
Acetic acid
Citric acid
Hydrochloric acid
Phosphoric acid
Sulfuric acid |
|
Alkalis
|
- Neutralize or adjust acidity of other ingredients
- Make surfactants and builders more efficient
- Increase alkalinity
Alkalinity is useful in removing acidic, fatty and oily soils. Therefore, detergents are more effective when they are alkaline.
|
Ammonium  hydroxide
Ethanolamines
Sodium carbonate
Sodium hydroxide
Sodium silicate |
Antimicrobial agents
|
Kill or inhibit growth of microorganisms that cause diseases and/or odor |
Pine oil
Quaternary ammonium compounds
Sodium hypochlorite
Triclocarban
Triclosan |
Antiredeposition agents
|
Prevent soil from resettling after removal during washing |
Carboxymethyl cellulose
Polycarbonates
Polyethylene glycol
Sodium silicate |
Bleaches
|
Help whiten, brighten and remove stains |
|
|
Also disinfects |
Sodium hypochlorite |
|
|
In some products, may be combined with bleach activator for better performance in lower water temperatures. |
Sodium perborate
Sodium percarbonate |
Colorants
|
- Provide special identity to product
- Provide bluing action
|
Pigments or dyes |
Corrosion inhibitors
|
Protect metal machine parts and finishes, china patterns and metal utensils |
Sodium silicate |
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Enzymes
|
- Proteins classified by the type of soil they break down to simpler forms for removal by detergent
- Cellulase reduces pilling and greying of fabrics containing cotton and helps remove particulate soils.
|
Amylase (starch soils)
Lipase (fatty and oily soils)
Protease (protein soils)
Cellulase |
Fabric softening agents
|
Impart softness and control static electricity in fabrics |
Quaternary ammonium compounds |
Fluorescent whitening agents
|
Attach to fabrics to create a whitening or brightening effect when exposed to daylight
Also called optical brighteners. |
Colorless fluorescing compounds |
Fragrances
|
- Mask base odor of ingredients and package
- Cover odors of soil
- Provide special identity to product
- Provide pleasant odor to clothes and rooms
|
Fragrance blends |
Hydrotropes
|
- Prevent liquid products from separating into layers
- Ensure product homogeneity
|
Cumene sulfonates
Ethyl alcohol
Toluene sulfonates
Xylene sulfonates |
Opacifiers
|
- Reduce transparency or make product opaque
- Provide a special effect
|
Polymers
Titanium dioxide |
Preservatives
|
Protect against natural effects of product aging, e.g., decay, discoloration, oxidation and bacterial attack |
Butylated hydroxytoluene
Ethylene diamine
tetraacetic acid
Glutaraldehyde |
Processing aids
|
- Provide important physical characteristics, e.g., proper pour or flow, viscosity, solubility, stability and uniform density
- Assist in manufacturing
|
Clays
Polymers
Sodium silicate
Sodium sulfate
Solvents |
Solvents
|
- Prevent separation or deterioration of ingredients in liquid products
- Dissolve organic soils
- Clean without leaving residue
Solvents used in cleaning products are water soluble
|
Ethanol
Isopropanol
Propylene glycol |
Suds control agents
|
Ensure optimum sudsing (foaming) level needed for a cleaning job |
Suds stabilizers
|
Maintain high sudsing where suds level is an important indicator of cleaning power |
Alkanolamides
Alkylamine oxides |
Suds suppressors
|
Control sudsing where suds would interfere with cleaning action |
Alkyl phosphates
Silicones
Soap |