ANALYTICAL COMPARATIVE STUDY OF SELECTED LAUNDRY DETERGENTS

Contents
1. 2. 3. 3.1. 3.1.1. Summary Scope of Work Active properties Results Comparison of washing and effective properties of Swedish detergents with detergents bought in Poland and Vizir 3.1.2. which is laundry detergent 3.1.3. Comparison of washing and effectiveness properties of the detergent Jelp recommended for infant laundry and the most popular Polish brands Ariel and Vizir.

Comparison of the laundry detergent Persil bought in Poland and in

Germany. 3.2. contents in laundry detergents 3.2.1. 4. 5. Comparison of Swedish laundry detergent chemical composition Conclusions Authors Determination of chemical composition and surface-active substance

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1. Summary
This report analysis the active properties and approximate anionic and nonionic surface-active compounds types and approximate contents in laundry detergents purchased in Poland, Sweden and Germany. Some of the laundry detergents analyzed had an eco-label which met the Swedish criteria.

2. Scope of Work
The research for this report was performed by the Anionic Substances and Detergent Examination and was commissioned by Polish Ecological Club - City Chapter of Gliwice through a letter of understanding 125/99. The works scope has included the defining and comparison of detergent active properties, contents and surface active substance levels. The major goal of this comparison study was to determine if among the leading laundry detergents on the Polish market an environmental detergent which also contained effective cleaning properties existed in Poland.

3. Determining Laundry Detergent Active Properties

All examined detergents were enzymatic detergents designed to wash in temperatures between 30-90oC. Among them were detergents bought in Sweden (S), Germany (D) and in Poland (PL) and included following detergents: Via Ariel Ajax Grumme Spar Natur Persil Persil Ariel Vizir Jelp follows:
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- bought in Sweden - bought in Sweden, compact detergent - bought in Sweden - bought in Sweden, compact, environmental - bought in Sweden, compact, environmental - bought in Germany - produced in Poland - bought in Poland - bought in Poland - bought in Poland, recommended to wash infant laundry.

Active cleaning parameters of the above mentioned detergents were as

 washing effectiveness for normally soiled fabrics EMPA 112 and EMPA 116 determined in temperature of 50oC, washing effectiveness calculated as an arithmetic mean of washing power for normally soiled fabrics EMPA 101 and Krefeld 10C - determined in temperature
o 70 C,

protection properties against graying - determined for cotton fabric Noris and polyester-cotton - EMPA 213, phosphorous level was determined for selected detergents. The method of determining washing effectiveness (according to the Polish Standard) consisted of the washing agent and comparative standard washing agent in strictly determined conditions with 1. adequate number or normally soiled test fabrics; 2. rinsing them in water; 3. drying; 4. ironing; and 5. measuring the degree of whiteness degree; and then 6. calculating the washing effectiveness. The laundry detergent concentration in washing solution was 0.1%. For compact detergents the concentration was adequately lower according to the recommended dosage. The method of determining the products protective properties against soil was conducted according to Polish Standard and consisted of washing in determined conditions white cotton fabric and polyester-cotton fabric in the solution of examined washing agent, hard carbon furnace black, drying and determining the whiteness degree by means of leucometer. The phosphorous amount was determined and performed according to Polish Standard PN ISO 4313.

3.1. Results
The results are presented in the following comparison diagram: 1. Comparison of washing effectiveness and protective properties between detergents bought in Swedish and in Poland - Ariel and Vizir. 2. Comparison of washing effectiveness and protective properties of the detergent Jelp, recommended to wash infant laundry, to the popular detergents Ariel and Vizir. 3. Comparison between the detergent Persil bought in Poland and in Germany.
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3.1.1. Comparison of washing effectiveness and protective properties between detergents - Swedish and Polish Ariel and Vizir.
Results are presented on the Figures 1, 2, and 3.
Zdolno wyprania
50 40 30 20 10

EMPA 1 1 2 EMPA 1 1 6

ARIEL (S)

AJAX (S)

VIA (S)

Fig. 1. Washing effectiveness of the fabrics EMPA 112 and EMPA 116 for Polish and Swedish detergents, washing temperature 50oC, water hardness - 12 German degrees (Zdolno__ wyprania = washable effectiveness)

Zdolno pior?ca

180 160 140 120 100 80 60 40 20 ARIEL (S) AJAX (S) VIA (S) GRUMME (S) VIZIR (PL) SPAR NATUR (S) ARIEL (PL) 0

Fig. 2. Washing effectiveness determined as an arithmetic mean of washing power residue on the fabrics EMPA 101 and Krefeld 10C, washing temperature 70oC, water hardness - 12 German degrees (Zdolno__ pior_ca = washing effectiveness)

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GRUMME (S)

VIZIR (PL)

SPAR NATUR (S)

ARIEL (PL)

Results from the presented diagrams of all kinds of normally soiled fabrics the highest washing effectiveness achieved for the laundry detergent Ariel, bought in Poland, and the lowest for Swedish detergents determined as environmental less harmful. On the Fig. 3. Measurement of protective power for cotton and polyester-cotton fabrics.

W?aciwoci ochronne

10 0 80 60 40 20

Noris EMPA 2 1 3

ARIEL (S)

AJAX (S)

VIA (S)

Fig. 3. Protective power determined on cotton fabric Noris and polyester-cotton fabric EMPA 213. (W_asno_ci ochronne = protective powers)

It is visible that there are small differences between the detergents bought in Poland, but there is a comparable value difference among environmental Swedish detergents, i.e. Ajax and Via.

3.1.2. Comparison of washing and protective properties for Jelp (recommended for childrens clothing) and the most popular brands Ariel and Vizir.
On Figures 4 and 5 washing effectiveness of comparison detergents.

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GRUMME (S)

SPAR NATUR (S)

ARIEL (PL)

VIZIR (PL)

Zdolno wyprania

50 40 30 20 10 0

EMPA 1 12 EMPA 1 16

JELP (PL)

ARIEL (PL)

VIZIR ( PL)

Fig. 4. Washing effectiveness of the fabrics EMPA 112 and EMPA 116 for detergents Jelp, Ariel and Vizir, washing temperature 50oC, water hardness - 12 German degrees

Zdolno pior?ca

180 160 140 120 100 80 60 40 20 0 JELP ( PL) ARIEL (PL) VIZIR ( PL)

Fig. 5. Washing effectiveness determined as an arithmetic mean of washing effectiveness achieved on the fabrics EMPA 101 and Krefeld 10C, washing temperature 70oC, water hardness - 12 German degrees

W?aciwoci ochronne

10 0 80 60 40 20 0

Noris EMPA 2 13

JELP ( PL)

ARIEL (PL)

VIZIR ( PL)

Fig. 6. Protective power determined on cotton fabric Noris and polyester-cotton fabric EMPA 213.

It is evident from the presented diagrams that washing effectiveness for the detergents Ariel and Vizir show higher values than Jelp. While determined protective abilities are on similar level for all examined detergents.

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For examined detergents the phosphorous levels were determined. Ariel and Vizir contain phosphorous n the level of 4%, whereas Jelp does not contain phosphorous (phosphorous level = 0).

3.1.3. Comparison of detergents Persil bought in Poland and in Germany

Zdolno wyprania

50 40 30 20 10 0 PE RSIL (PL)

EMPA 11 2 EMPA 11 6

PE RSIL ( D)

Fig. 7. Washing effectiveness of the fabrics EMPA 112 and EMPA 116 for detergents Persil bought in Germany and in Poland, washing temperature 50oC, water hardness - 12 German degrees

Zdolno pior?a

180 160 140 120 100 80 60 40 20 0 PERSIL (PL) PE RSIL ( D)

Fig. 8. Washing effectiveness determined as an arithmetic mean of washing effectiveness achieved on the fabrics EMPA 101 and Krefeld 10C, washing temperature 70oC, water hardness - 12 German degrees

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W?aciwoci ochronne

100 80 60 40 20 0 PE RSIL ( PL)

Noris EMPA 21 3

PE RSIL ( D)

Fig. 9. Protective power determined for cotton fabric Noris and polyester-cotton fabric EMPA 213.

There is a common opinion that the detergents of the same trade mark bought in Western Europe and in Poland achieve different results during washing, in other words, generally products bought in Poland washing results are worse. Laboratory tests have determined to what degree this opinion is true. After conducting research it appeared that washing properties of the detergent Persil bought in Poland and in Germany are approximate. Only the washing effectiveness determined as arithmetic mean of washing effectiveness achieved for fabrics EMPA 101 and Krefeld 10C in the temperature 70oC are worse than for the detergent bought in Poland. Moreover, Persil bought in Poland has better protective properties. Based on the scope of work presented, the common opinion about German products having better washing properties cannot be confirmed.

3.2. Chemical Composition and Surface-Active Substances Contents in Laundry Detergents

The analyses of surface-active substance composition in following laundry detergents: Ajax Grumme Spar Natur Persil Persil - bought in Sweden, compact, - bought in Sweden, compact, environmental, - bought in Sweden, compact, environmental, - bought in Germany, - bought in Poland,

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 Jelp

- bought in Poland, recommended to wash infant laundry.

Determining surface-active substance levels according to anionic agent types and non-ionic substance contents was the goal of the analysis. A precise identification of separate compositions has not been made. Anionic compound levels have been determined through the method of twophase titration with the solution of Hyamine 1662, according to Polish Standard, in acid and alkalic medium and after undergoing samples to acid hydrolysis. This analysis determined the anionic-active substance level of sulphonate type, sulphates and soap. Since anionic compounds have not been identified, the levels of separate substances have been presented in conversion on most popular compound from each group, i.e.: for sulphonate compounds on sodium alkylbenzenesulphonate (LAS) with the molecular mass 342; for compounds from sulphate group on tallow alcohol sulphates with the molecular mass 362; for soaps the molecular mass 300 have been accepted. For the detergent Jelp based on the information consumers presented from the package, only soap and sulphonate compounds had been found. An additional identification of sulphonate compound from evolved ethanol extract by means of the method 1H NMR, was also made. Non-ionic compound levels have been determined by means of extraction of compounds dissolvable in alcohol from the detergent and then evolving ionic compounds by means of adequate ion exchangers and drying the residuum to solid mass.

3.2.1. Swedish Detergent Chemical Composition

The results of determining chemical composition are presented in the Table 1. and on Fig. 10.

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Table 1. Results of determining the composition and levels of surface-active substances in laundry detergents. Detergent name, producer Sulphonate Sulphate Soap (M=300) compounds as compounds as LAS (M=342) tallow alcohol sulphates (M=362) 6.7% 3.5% 6.0% absent absent 2.5% 1.1% 4.3% 0.7% absent absent absent 0.75% 0.75% 2.0% 1.2% 11% 0.75% Nonionic compounds

Persil (PL) Persil (D) Jelp (Denmark) Spar Natur (S) Grumme (S) Ajax Color (S)

5.5% 4.9% 3.8% 3.3% 6.2% 11.2%

Anionic and nonionic surfactant contents

18 Content of surfactants [%] 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 Persil (PL) Persil (D) Jelp Spar (S) Grumme (S)

Nonionics Soap Sulfates Sulfonates as LAS

Ajax (S)

Fig. 10. Different surfactant contents in laundry detergents It has been found as the result of analyses that all examined detergents contain both anionic and non-ionic surfactants.
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The highest surfactant level - ca. 18% - has been found in the detergent Grumme. In its expected level for a compact detergent. The lowest surfactant level has been found in the detergent Spar Natur - total 4.5% and it is less than is usually found in traditional detergents (non-compact). The last four examined detergents contain 12-14% surface-active compounds, i. e. the middle level between traditional and compact detergent. The Swedish detergents Spar Natur and Grumme do not contain anionic compounds of sulphonate or sulphate type. The unique anionic surfactant in them is soap. The Swedish detergent Ajax Color, not eco-labeled, contain a small level of anionic agents of sulphonate type of 2.5% in conversion into LAS. While it does not contain anionic compounds sulphate type and contains a little amount of soap. The detergents Persil bought in Poland and in Germany contains small levels of soap. The German Persil contains a little more sulphonates than sulphates, while in Polish Persil sulphonates distinctly prevail. Whereas, the sulphonate and sulphate sum practically is the same. Both detergents contain approximated nonionic compound amounts. Jelp contains all the above mentioned kinds of anionic agents. Though the information on the package suggest to the client it is soap detergent there is a presence of sulphonates and sulpahates have been found with the distinct prevalence of the latter. To confirm if this detergents anionic compound is alkylbenzenesulphonate, additional analyses have been made. The methanol extract evaluated from the detergent has been submitted to alcalic hydrolysis, and to the analysis of 1H MNR method, using as a pattern the sodium alkylbenzenesulphonate, at the laboratory. The compounds contained in the extract have not undergone the hydrolysis, verifies if they are not esters nor glycerides. The received spectra are practically equal that confirms sulphonate compound is sodium alkylbenzenesulphonate. The results have been confirmed with the pyrolythic gas chromatography (Py/GC/MS). The report of these tests is in Annex 1. ( I need to ask about the Annex) It may be accepted that the sulphonate compound in the detergents Persil is also sodium alkylbenzenesulphonate because it is the main anionic compound produced in Europe.
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The presence of anionic and non-ionic surfactants is not the deciding factor about washing detergent properties because the contents of enzymes, chemical, optical bleaches and other helping compounds is also very important. However, it is visible from the presented results that the surfactant Spar has a distinctly lower surfactant level than other detergents and also has the worst washing properties. Also the detergent Grumme containing only soap and non-ionic compounds also has the worst washing properties than other detergents.

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Authors 1. Maria R_y_ska, M. Sc. 2. Jolanta Zimoch, Eng. M. Sc 3. Kazimierz Linkiewicz, M. Sc. 4. Celina Gaik 5. Bo_ena _mijewska 6. Janina Drozdowicz 7. El_bieta Wrzesie_, M. Sc.

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