Biodegradability – The process whereby materials are degraded or broken down into
simpler molecular chains and used as nutrient sources (food) for microorganisms. An
example of this is phosphates. Algae thrive when provided with phosphate nutrients as
they break them down for food. Companies concerned with algae growth prefer to use
phosphate-free products. All Vector products are biodegradable.
Builder – “Ingredients” of soap that help build its detergency. An outstanding soap
will have high quality builders in it whereas a less expensive and lesser performing soap
will probably simply have “fillers”. A filler is just that: a chemical that is used to add
weight to the soap – nothing more. A filler has no cleaning benefits whatsoever.
Caustic – Although the word caustic is basically another word for corrosive,
when speaking with people regarding detergents the word “caustic” is
usually used to refer to one ingredient: Sodium Hydroxide (also commonly
known as Lye). Sodium Hydroxide is an extremely corrosive chemical and
is very alkaline (see pH). Sodium Hydroxide or “caustic” is a great builder
or ingredient for detergents as it has great cleaning abilities especially with
organic and animal fats.
Emulsify – To help solubilize and suspend oil, grease or other normally water insoluble
compounds. Example: Oil and water don’t mix but if you add an emulsifier the two
will blend together and that’s how oil gets washed away. An emulsifier is a good
additive in soaps that use high performance ingredients that might be oil-based.
Foaming – Detergents can vary from non-foaming to high foaming based on
formulation. However, it is important to note that a product’s foaming has nothing to
do with its cleaning capabilities. It is a popular myth that the higher a product foams the
better it will perform.
Hard vs. Soft Water – Very often people will complain about spotting after washing.
Oftentimes this is due to minerals that are found in hard water. Water that is referred to
as “hard” contains several invisible dissolved rock, materials and minerals especially
calcium and magnesium. Water softening additives in detergents help remove these
minerals most often replacing them with sodium and even then you may still have
spotting.
Some of the problems of hard water are:
Scale – When hard water is heated minerals such as calcium will drop out of the
water as tiny white specks known as scale and as it dries it hardens. Imagine what a
coil from a hot pressure washer will look like after several uses without water
softeners. Slowly the coil gets more and more clogged by the layers of scale that
have built up until the coil needs replaced. Another problem with scale build-up is
heating. The layer of scale in coils or plumbing acts as an insulator and makes it
harder for heat transfer. Heating up water will take a greater amount of time and
cost. It is important that detergents have water-softening agents if only to extend the
life of equipment and plumbing.
Cost of detergents – The combination of minerals along with the “soil” or dirt that
must be cleaned off can often combine to create water insoluble materials. The
harder the water the more detergent is required to get a proper cleaning. Water
softening agents that remove these minerals help reduce the amount of soap you
need. Phosphates in soaps are just one of the chemicals used to soften water so if
recommending a phosphate-free soap it is important to ascertain whether the
customer has hard-water and if so if the soap has water-softening agents.
pH – Determines the acidity or alkalinity of a solution. The pH scale ranges from 0-14
where 7 is neutral. Acids range from 0-6 and alkalines range from 8 –14.
Rust and Corrosion Inhibitors – These chemicals help to prevent the detergents harsh
chemicals from attacking metal surfaces. These chemicals have 2 benefits: protecting
metal surfaces and parts that are being washed and also extending the life of machines
such as pressure washers which reduces maintenance and repair bills.
Rust Inhibitor – can help prevent certain metals such as iron or steel from rusting
during and after cleaning.
Corrosion Inhibitor – can help prevent certain metals such as aluminum, zinc and
chrome from getting pitted and burned from washing.
Solvents – Chemicals that are used to help solubilize materials that are normally water
insoluble. Solvents are a good example of emulsifiers; they allow the solvent to blend
insoluble items such as grease into the water, the grease gets mixed and held into the
water and washed away in the cleaning process.
Wetting – Refers to a detergent’s wetting capabilities. Imagine several beads of water
on a table. Although there might be several beads on the table there may still be several
patches that are not covered by the water. Wetting agents in a soap help break down the
individual beads (the surface tension) causing the water to actually spread over a greater
area allowing more of the table to be wet and therefore cleaned. An old soap axiom for
wetting is to “make water wetter”.