Different Ingredients Between Dish Detergent & Laundry Liquid

Liquid laundry detergents are stronger and harsher than dish detergents.

Dish detergents and laundry liquids are both soaps. The chemistry of soap is relatively simple. Soap is designed to remove dirt, oils and other contaminants from our bodies, clothing, dishes and a myriad of other applications. Many ingredients and components are used for a wide variety of soaps, including dish detergents and laundry liquids.

Surfactant Chemistry

All soaps contain surface active ingredients called surfactants. Surfactants are chemicals that have two sides: One side likes water and one side likes dirt and oils. As soap is applied with water to clean something, the side that likes dirt and oils grab the dirt and oils and holds it while the water side stays in the water. As the object to be cleaned is rinsed with water, the dirt goes with it, cleaning the object.

Dish Detergent Components

Dish detergent liquids are designed to come into contact with human skin. The ingredients in dish detergents are mild and could contain components that are healthy for skin such as moisturizers and proteins. Other ingredients such as antibacterial agents, fragrances and suds-producing agents are added to enhance effectiveness. The surfactants used in dish detergents are also mild but still perform dirt-removing actions.

Laundry Soaps--Wet and Dry

Laundry soaps can be in the form of dry powders or liquids. Laundry detergents are not designed for contact with human skin and can be abrasive and even dangerous if in contact with skin for prolonged periods. Laundry soaps contain bleaches, fabric softeners, hard-water minerals and complex polymers to facilitate more effective fabric cleaning and stain removal. Other ingredients maintain colors, reduce static and help protect the internal components of a washing machine.

Laundry Liquid Components

Concentrated laundry liquids are those with the maximum amount of water removed to create value for the consumer. These products, however, contain concentrated amounts of harsh cleaning agents and must be handled carefully. Compared to dish detergents, laundry liquids are meant to remove dried stains embedded into complex fabric structures. Suds-producing agents are not a main ingredient in laundry liquids because of the potential of excessive suds that could overflow the washing machine.

Interchangeability of Dish Detergent and Laundry Liquid

Using dish detergent and laundry liquid interchangeably is not recommended. The harsh ingredients of laundry liquid could cause damage to skin over time and the mild cleaning agents of dish detergent may not be effective in the washing machine. In addition, dish detergent contains ingredients that produce suds that could cause problems in a washing machine. It has been noted that on some delicate fabrics, the mildness of dish detergents can be an effective alternative to laundry liquids.

References

• Chemistry Daily. Surfactant