Cleaning Product and Ingredient Information
It is a legal requirement that the ingredients in cleaning products are provided on the labels of all products. Understanding the technical detail given about ingredients in cleaning products can be difficult and complicated for those not familiar with the terms being used. UKCPI is always willing to provide explanations of cleaning product ingredients and terms used to explain how they work.
If you have any suggestions for a topic not included in the list below please contact us.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
A
Advertising and Promotion of Consumer Products Making Anti-microbial Claims
These Guidelines govern the advertising and promotion of cleaning, hygiene, disinfectant and similar consumer products which are intended, or claim explicitly or implicitly, to deliver a benefit by destroying or controlling harmful or otherwise undesirable micro-organisms. A copy of the Guidance can be obtained from Clearcast or downloaded from: http://www.clearcast.co.uk
Anionic Surfactants
Water on its own is surprisingly ineffective at getting things wet. The strong molecular forces in the liquid bind it together to form a curved ‘skin’.
Detergents solve this problem by containing complex molecules known as surfactants which have a hydrophilic (water-loving) head and a hydrophobic (water-hating) tail. One part of the chemical compound is attracted to water and repels oil, while the other part repels water and attracts oil. When detergent is mixed with water, the hydrophobic tails attach themselves to any grease and point away from the skin of the water thus reducing the surface tension and allowing the detergent to work. The hydrophilic part of some surfactant molecules ionizes (ie breaks up into electrically charged particles) and the detergent is known as ‘ionic’. When the ions are negatively charged the detergent is known as anionic. The surfactants most widely used in the detergent Industry are anionic. Also Reference: Cationic Surfactants, Nonionic Surfactants, Surfactants.
B
Biodegradation
This is the process by which the ‘organic chemicals’ (ie those containing carbon) are broken down into simpler units by the natural action of living micro-organisms. Micro-organisms (or bacteria) thrive naturally in sewage treatment plants, waterways and soils. These bacteria break down surfactants by using them as energy sources for their own metabolism. Substantially complete biodegradation is usually achieved within a few hours. EC regulations require a biodegradability level of 80% to be attained in specified tests. UK detergents comfortably exceed this with levels of over 95% observed in efficient sewage treatment plants.
Biological
This is the term given to a fabric washing product that contains enzymes which help with stain removal. Also Reference: Enzymes.
Bleach
Often fabrics are stained by food or drinks which are coloured such as tea, coffee or wine. These stains are frequently not removed by washing without the aid of a bleaching agent, an ingredient able to break down the natural colour content of the stain. Such bleaches are included in most washing detergents. The most common, sodium perborate (an oxygen-based bleach) has been used in domestic detergent products for at least 60 years. It is a powder produced from borax and hydrogen peroxide, usually used in domestic detergents as the tetrahydrate NaBO3 4H2O. When dissolved in water it provides an alkaline solution of hydrogen peroxide and gives a safe, convenient means of including bleaching agents into powder products. The efficiency of hydrogen peroxide increases with temperature. Effectiveness at lower temperatures is improved by the use of certain other ingredients called ‘activators’, for example TAED (tetra-acetyl ethylenediamine). In the UK hypochlorite bleaches (chlorine-based bleaches) are sold primarily for household disinfecting purposes (although they can be used for stain removal from fabrics). No UK laundry product contains hypochlorate. Also Reference: Disinfectants.
Builders
These are materials to improve or maintain the cleaning efficiency of the surfactant. Several types of compounds, with different performance levels, are used in detergents. Examples are phosphates and a zeolite/polycarboxylate mixture.
The role of the builder is to tie up the minerals in washwater that interfere with cleaning (ie soften the water). It also maintains the correct alkaline pH level of the water and helps produce crisp, free-flowing powders. Also reference: Phosphates, Zeolite, Water Hardness.
C
Cationic Surfactants
The surfactants most commonly used are anionic, cationic and non-ionic. In aqueous solution, cationic surfactants dissociate to give positively charged surface active ions. Although surface active, cationic surfactants are generally poor detergents but the less soluble ones are used in fabric conditioners.
Cationic surfactants are the major active component of fabric conditioning products used in Europe. Other applications range from use as antistatic agents, textile softeners and corrosion inhibitors, foam depressants in asphalt and petroleum additives. Also Reference: Anionic Surfactants, Nonionic Surfactants, Surfactants.
Chelating Agents
These are used in detergents to inactivate the water hardness mineral ions calcium and magnesium, and reduce the ill effects of other dissolved heavy metal ions such as iron and manganese. Softening the water in this way allows the cleaning agents in the detergents to work more effectively. Also Reference: Water Hardness.
D
Detergent
This is the term commonly used to describe both the basic surface active agents (surfactants) in a product AND the finished product. In this A to Z we use the term ‘detergent’ to refer to the finished product. Detergent ingredients vary with the types of products, which include light duty detergents, heavy duty detergents, hard surface cleaners, automatic dishwashing detergents, and hand dishwashing products. Finished products come in granules, liquids, creams, powders and crystals. Also Reference: Anionic Surfactants, Cationic Surfactants, Nonionic Surfactants, Surfactants.
Dishwashing Products
Machine dishwashing products are available as standard powders (or powder formats as tablets, granules, nuggets), concentrated powders and liquids. Most clean on the basis of their alkalinity provided by phosphate and silicate and contain only low levels of surfactants. These products also contain bleach.
There are many different brands of hand dishwashing liquids on the market. Some are standard liquids, others concentrated. There are mainly a mix of anionic and non-ionic surfactants designed to remove fats and greases remaining on utensils, crockery and cutlery after meals.
Disinfectants
These are agents that destroy harmful bacteria. Washing, or home laundering, with a soap or detergent in a modern washing machine at the correct temperature, will produce hygienically acceptable laundry.
When special effort is needed (for example when there is infectious disease in the home) disinfectants for laundry are available, the most common being a liquid chlorine bleach.
Hard surfaces can be disinfected by hard surface cleaners which state disinfecting properties on the label. Also Reference: Quaternary Ammonium Compounds.
Dosage
All machine washing powder and liquid manufacturers state that to get the best cleaning performance from automatic washing machines, consumers should take care to use the correct dosage. This is always explained on the pack.
Dosage depends on many factors. Less dirty clothes or smaller loads will need a lower dosage. Lower dosage can also be used in areas of soft water supply.
It is usually recommended that the supplied dosing ball, scoop or cup, is used – particularly with concentrated products where the best results come from the product going immediately into the drum with the dirty clothes.
E
Endocrine Disrupters
Endocrine Disruptors are chemicals which may interfere with the body’s endocrine system and produce adverse developmental, reproductive, neurological and immune effects in wildlife. A wide range of substances both natural and man-made are thought to cause endocrine disruption. Manufacturers of cleaning products in the UK take human and environmental safety as one of their highest priorities and do not knowingly use chemicals that are thought to have endocrine disrupting properties. In the past where such chemicals have been identified the Industry has voluntarily stopped using them. For example: Alkyphenol Ethoxylates (APEs) and Nonylphenol Ethoxylates (NPEs).
Enzymes
These are contained in ‘biological’ fabric washing detergents. They make a significant contribution to the washing process at lower temperatures.
Enzymes are proteins that occur in all living organisms, plant and animal. They are essential for life. Different enzymes do different things, for example different enzymes in the human stomach break down or digest different food groups.
Proteins, fats and starch are common components of the dirt and stains we get on our clothes. Specific enzymes which break down these components are added to the formula of biological washing products.
Products labelled ’non-biological’ do not contain enzymes. Also reference: Biological, Non-Biological
F
Fabric Conditioners
These were launched on the UK market more than 20 years ago. There are three types (which all work in basically the same way): all-in-one washing powder/liquids with fabric softener which work during the wash cycle; fabric conditioning liquids (available in concentrated and regular forms) added to the final rinse; and sheet conditioners for use in tumble dryers.
Fabric softeners contain surfactants. In their case they are cationic surfactants which carry a positive electric charge.
The surface of fabrics in water carries a negative charge which attracts the positively charged cationic surfactant which absorb at the fabric surface. This lubricating effect prevents matting of fibres and reduces the friction of the clothes making them softer to the touch (and easier to iron).
Fragrance Ingredients
The Detergents Regulation requires that the following fragrance ingredients must be listed on the product label if they are present at greater than 0.01%:
Amyl cinnamal; Benzyl alcohol; Cinnamyl alcohol; Citral; Eugenol; Hydroxy-citronellal; Isoeugenol; Amylcinnamyl alcohol; Benzyl salicylate; Cinnamal; Coumarin; Geraniol; Hydroxymethylpentylcyclohexecarboxaldehyde; Anisyl alcohol; Benzyl cinnamate; Farnesol; Lilial; Linalool; Benzyl benzoate; Citronellol; Hexyl cinnamaldehyde; d-Limonene; Methyl heptin carbonate; 3-Methyl-4-(2,6,6-trimethyl-2-cyclohexen-1-yl)-3-buten-2-one; Oak moss extract; and Tree moss extract.
G
Glass Cleaners
These are speciality cleaning products. Clear glass cleaners are packaged in bottles with finger pumps or trigger sprays or in aerosol containers. The products contain surfactants to loosen soil, solvent to dissolve oily soils, water, colourants and fragrance.
Green Claims
Giving clear, straightforward, environmental information has benefits for consumers and business alike. By providing information about the environmental effects and qualities of products, and how to use and dispose of them, environmental claims (“green” claims) help consumers to make informed buying choices.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Department of Trade and Industry (now BERR) developed the DEFRA Guidance on 'Biogradable' and Other Environmental Claims download pdf 84Kb to provide clear, user-friendly advice for companies in the cleaning product sector who wish to make environmental claims such as ‘biodegradable’ about their products. These guidelines are endorsed and supported by the UK Cleaning Products Industry Association (UKCPI).
The Guidance covers Environmentally Friendly; Biodegradable (surfactant and product biodegradability); user information (eg Washright) and other environmental claims on cleaning products. Further information on biodegradable and green claims can also be found by visiting: Defra Green Claims
H
Handwashing
Handwashing is the single most important way we can reduce the spread of diseases amongst children, according to health experts. The Industry also helps preserve cleanliness and hygiene in hospitals, schools, restaurants and other public areas.
A large number of micro-organisms are necessary – an infectious dose – to start an infection, but it is not necessary to eliminate all disease agents to prevent illness. Soap and water do not sterilize, but reduce agent numbers to lower than an infectious dose.
The diseases whose major control strategy depends on good personal hygiene include infant diarrhoea, viral gastroenteritis, viral hepatitis, ring worm, salmonellosis, typhoid, typhus fever and trachoma.Hard Surface Cleaners
These products are formulated to clean painted surfaces, washable floor coverings, plastics, metals, porcelain and other surfaces.
They come in a variety of forms and formulas. There are powders, for dissolving in water, liquids to be used neat or diluted, and products in pumps or aerosols. Powders generally use builders to improve their cleaning ability and to reduce filming and streaking.
Liquid cleaner formulations are highly individual. They all have a soap or surfactant base and, usually, water-softening ingredients. Other grease and oil cutting additives may range from lemon juice to pine oil or disinfectants.
Hygiene
Improvements in overall cleanliness by personal hygiene, frequent laundering and convenient products for cleaning the home and workplace have made a large contribution to the prevention of infectious disease. More.
I
Industrial and Institutional Products
These are similar to domestic consumer products, but can range from those used in schools to specialist cleaners for aeroplanes, operating theatres, restaurants and so on.
Disinfecting hand washers, strong sanitising surface cleaners, oil removing fabric detergents are just some of a large list of products available for UK factories, offices and institutions.
J
K
Kitchen Hygiene
Food poisoning is caused by food that is contaminated either by germs (including harmful bacteria) or by toxins produced by them.
It is possible for raw meat, poultry and fish to become contaminated before it ever reaches our kitchens and it is sensible to treat these products with extreme care throughout the preparation process.
Other germs can be found on our skin which, through poor hygiene practices, (insufficient handwashing) can get into food such as custards, dairy products and cold meats, where they can multiply and cause a type of food poisoning.
Pets can also be a source of food poisoning with germs contained in excrement. If floors are not cleaned with suitable surface cleaners this is one area which can soon become contaminated.
Dish cloths and cleaning cloths are among the worst offenders for spreading germs around a kitchen. If a cloth is used to wipe down a surface contaminated by germs, the cloth itself becomes contaminated and, if left, will contaminate other areas when used again. Dish cloths, along with all vulnerable work surfaces, fridges, and food preparation areas should be regularly treated with a disinfecting product or surface cleaner made for that purpose.
Scouring powders – multipurpose cleaners with disinfectant properties – should be used with care on soft surfaces such as plastics. Liquid scourers, on the other hand, are designed to clean such surfaces without scratching.
L
Labelling
On packaging is an important communication route to consumers, so manufactures put a great deal of information on the packs. It is important that all this information is legible to the consumer. If you were to look at a packet of washing powder you would be likely to see information on :
Fabric care – this gives the best way to wash different articles/materials. The symbols on the labels in our clothes are explained.
Dosage – In line with EC recommendations for labelling of detergents and cleaning products packaging, all fabric washing product labels carry advice on how much product to use.
Endorsements – these are typically from textile bodies recommending some products for washing their particular garments or fabrics. For example, the International Wool Secretariat approves certain products and the woolmark symbol appears on these packs.
Weights/Volumes – in line with legislation, all detergent packs clearly state the weight or volume of the product in the pack.
Bar Codes – these have to be clearly printed, to a certain proportionate size of the pack, so it can be electronically ‘read’ at the supermarket checkout. These codes give price information, update the store’s stock inventory, and give an itemised till receipt.
Ingredient labelling – In 1989 detergent manufactures led an initiative with the EC to develop a system of labelling detergent ingredients in a way that would help the consumer.
The result is an on-pack table, listing which of 20 key types of ingredients are present in the product and within what range as a percentage of the product. Many packs also explain what these ingredients do.
Free advice – Some detergent manufacturers have a free advisory service to answer consumers’ queries, with a contact address given on the pack.
LAS
Linear Alkylbenzene Sulphonate is the most commonly used surfactant in detergents. It is distinguished from an earlier form of alkylbenzene sulphonate (ABS) by its linear (straight chain) structure which provides good biodegradation properties. It was this ability which caused a wide scale switch to LAS in the late 1950s.
All LAS surfactants are anionic and high sudsing, but their sudsing may be controlled by use of foam control agents. Also Reference: Sudsing, Anionic Surfactants, Surfactants.
Liquid Soap
This was designed for personal use (ie as a face and body soap) and is usually sold in dispensers. Many formulas are used. They can be pure soap or a blend of surfactant and soap with additives of water, colour and preservatives. Some formulas contain emollients, others, aimed at skin care may contain antimicrobial ingredients. Also Reference: Medicated Soap, Soap.
M
Medicated Soap
A toilet soap containing an antibacterial ingredient to help reduce or inhibit the growth of bacteria on the skin that might cause blemishes, spots, blackheads etc. is known as medicated soap. Also Reference: Liquid Soap, Soap
N
Natural Ingredients
Natural ingredients are those that occur or are available in the environment or can be extracted from the environment without any chemical manipulation.
Non-Biological
This is the term given to a fabric washing product that does not contain enzymes. Also Reference: Enzymes, Biological
Nonionic Surfactants
Nonionic surfactants contain neither a positive nor a negative charge. Such surfactants have been found particularly effective in removing oily soil. In contrast to anionic and cationic surfactants, non-ionic surfactants do not ionize in solution. Some are low sudsing and found in laundry detergents, pre-wash stain removers, hard surface cleaners and machine dishwashing products. Also Reference: Anionic Surfactants, Cationic Surfactants, Surfactants.
O
Opacifier
This is a constituent which makes a substance impervious to light. Opacifiers are sometimes added to liquid detergents to produce a special effect. One opacifier, Titanium Dioxide, is a pigment widely used in milled soaps to reduce translucence. It may be used alone to make the bar white – or with dyes to produce the desired colour.
P
Perfume
This is added to washing and cleaning products to produce a pleasing or distinctive aroma.
The basic objective is to give a product an identity, to mask washwater smells and, in some cases, disguise chemical odours.
Scents for soaps and detergents are made from synthetic and naturally occurring materials and can be any number of combinations from the 4,000 compounds used in perfumery.
Phthalates
Phthalates are a class of chemical substances each with its own unique spectrum of properties, united only because they each have a similar chemical group somewhere in the molecular structure. Some phthalates have useful properties, others undesirable ones. It is therefore quite wrong to consider all phthalates as the same: they are not.
Some but by no means all, have been found to be repro-toxic when tested at high doses in laboratory animals. These phthalates are not used in cleaning products. The main phthalate which may be used in some cleaning products in Europe is Diethyl Phthalate (DEP). All scientific reviews to date by key scientific experts and Government agencies, have concluded it is safe under the current conditions of use. DEP has been reviewed by the European Commission's Independent Scientific Committee (The Scientific Committee on Consumer Products, SCCP) most recently in March 2007. The SCCP has positively approved the safe use of DEP and has not deemed it necessary to impose any specific warnings or restrictions for its use.
Phosphates
These are essential nutrients for, and are found in, all living things – plants, animals and human beings. The phosphate used in detergents (tripolyphosphate) is a compound of phosphorus, oxygen, and sodium. It sequesters (ties up) mineral ions (calcium, magnesium) in the washwater which interfere with cleaning (ie softens the water); it helps break up the dirt on fabrics and also helps to keep that dirt from settling back on clothes; and it helps in the production of crisp, free flowing powder which aids product dispensing.
So far as washing efficiency is concerned, no single substitute ingredient yet matches the washing performance of tripolyphosphate. Effective domestic detergents can be formulated without phosphate, using combinations of replacements (eg a zeolite/polycarboxylate combination). Also Reference: Zeolite.
Preservative
This is a substance that protects against the natural effects of ageing in a material, such as decay, discolouration, oxidation and bacterial degradation. In soap products, preservatives are used to forestall and slow down the natural tendency to develop rancidity upon ageing.
Product Procurement
Public procurement is considered be one of the key levers for achieving more sustainable patterns of consumption and production in both the private and public sectors. Users of cleaning products are increasingly aware of the need to conduct cleaning operations in a way that is ‘environmentally friendly’. This doesn’t just mean using chemicals that are safe for the environment, it means minimising all the many other environmental impacts that arise in making and using cleaning products, such as energy consumption and waste disposal.
Q
Quaternary Ammonium Compounds
Quartnary Ammonium Compounds with alkyl chain substituents have detergent properties, but are poor in cleaning power. However, they have two distinct advantages. Firstly, they have only a mild action on textiles and the less soluble ones are therefore often used in fabric conditioners to restore the softness of materials. Secondly, the most soluble ones have a germicidal effect and can therefore be used in disinfectants or products which need secondary disinfection properties.
R
Rinse Agent
Rinse agent is a non-ionic surfactant or wetting agent which, when injected into the last rinse of a dishwasher cycle, lowers surface tension and helps improve the draining of the water from dishes and cutlery. Dishwasher rinse agents come in solid bar and liquid form.
S
Safety of Cleaning Products
The manufacturers of cleaning, hygiene and surface care products take human and environmental safety as their highest priority.
All ingredients used in cleaning products have to meet stringent European Regulations guaranteeing both human and environmental safety. Furthermore, UKCPI Members’ carry out rigorous safety assessment and evaluation programs to ensure that all products are safe for their intended use. Only products that meet these high safety standards are placed on the market for sale.
Soap
Soap is a simple substance that people living in primitive conditions can easily make in an elementary form. If a fat and an alkali are chemically combined they turn into soap, for example mutton fat and wood ash could combine into a very crude soap.
The unique service soap supplies is its power to dissolve in water and disperse grease. Dirt sticks to surfaces, and the finer the particle the harder it sticks. Specks of solid dirt are often coated with, or embedded in, grease. A good cleaning agent must remove both greasy and particulate dirt from skin and clothing.
Water removes dirt if it is used with sufficient vigour. Soap reduces the vigour which is necessary to achieve cleanliness – lessening damage to the user’s face, hands and linen. There are many different types of soap on the market including liquid soap, baby soap, deodorant soap, vegetarian soap, transparent and medicated soap. Also Reference: Liquid Soap, Medicated Soap .
Sudsing
Sudsing is the act of making suds. Soaps are generally effective sudsing agents in warm and soft water only, although the volume and stability of the suds varies from product to product, depending on the base ingredients. Detergents are designed to have a wide range of sudsing characteristics. Hand dishwashing detergents produced high, stable suds (to mask the soiled wash water and indicate residual cleaning potential), automatic dishwashing detergents are low sudsing (as too many suds would cushion the washing action and interfere with the cleaning).
Suds Stabiliser
Stabiliser is a product added to a detergent formulation to boost suds and keep them from decomposing. Mostly used for hand laundry and dishwashing products.
Suds Suppressor
Suppressor is a product added to the formulation to inhibit or control the sudsing. This is critical for automatic dishwashing products and also used to some degree in machine fabric detergents.
Surfactant
Surfactant is the commonly shortened name for surface active agents. In most detergent products designed for washing clothes and dishes, the surfactant is the basic cleaning ingredient. All surfactants perform the function of lowering waters surface tension, enabling the cleaning solution to wet the surface more easily so that ‘soils’ can be loosened and removed.
They are also instrumental in keeping soils suspended in the wash water and preventing the re-deposition on the fabric (or other surface). Surfactants are classified by whether or not they ionize in solution, and by the nature of their ionic or electrical charge. Also Reference: Anionic Surfactants, Cationic Surfactants, Detergent, Nonionic Surfactants.
Synthetic Ingredients
Synthetic ingredients are produced as a result of chemical manipulation and or chemical processing.
T
Toilet Hygiene
The crevices of a toilet provide a moist warm and dark breeding ground for bacteria. Maintaining hygiene standards in this area will help prevent the build up of harmful germs.
Whilst everyday cleaning can be carried out using a range of products, sodium hypochlorite based bleaches will be effective against the full range of germs.
The structure of all micro-organisms (fungi, yeast, bacteria, viruses etc) contain proteins. These proteins are decomposed by hypochlorite (bleach). Some germs (bacteria) can produce spores which are very resistant and can even survive in boiling water, but these too are killed by hypochlorite, which works by oxidation.
Sodium hypochlorite is a very simple chemical compound (it can be likened to salt molecule with an oxygen atom added) and sodium hypochlorite based bleach rapidly breaks down after use into common salt and oxygen.
U
V
W
Water Hardness
Water Hardness is caused by soluble mineral salts being present in the water in appreciable amounts. These are principally calcium and magnesium, and sometimes iron and magnesium. In the case of soap, insoluble calcium/magnesium soap curds are formed, with an unpleasant scum appearance. Water essentially free of calcium and magnesium is described as soft. Also Reference: Builders, Phosphates, Zeolite.
X
Y
Z
Zeolite
Zeolite is an inorganic material belonging to the class of compounds called Aluminosillicates and is used as part of an alternative builder system. They soften water by ion exchange.
They are primarily effective on the calcium in hard water so an additional builder is required in the detergent to soften hardness due to magnesium and other ions. Also Reference: Builders.