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sive advanced all-purpose laundry detergents also
contain enzymes such as mannanases to remove
these stubborn „lifestyle“ stains. Cellulases, on the
other hand, make cotton clothing look clean and
new by removing protruding fibers (microfibriles),
and thereby preventing the graying caused by dirt
deposits on these small fibers.
Bleaches like perborate and percarbonate, on
the other hand, are active against other stains
caused by such foods as tea, coffee, fruits or vegetables.
When dissolved in water, these peroxybased
substances release hydrogen peroxide,
which develops its bleaching power at high temperatures
directly through its perhydroxyl anion,
or at low temperatures by forming singlet oxygen
in the presence of activators. The cleaning action
of these bleaches involves not only oxidation of
the chromophoric conjugated double bonds in
dye molecules (chromophores) but the splitting
of the molecules into smaller components. In most
cases, stains altered in this way are then easier
for surfactants to dissolve and remove from the
fibers.
In addition to its stain-removing properties,
the active components generated from the persalts
in the washing process also display biocidic
properties that kill bacteria, pathogenic germs
and fungal spores. Laundry is not only clean after
being washed with all-purpose laundry detergent,
it is pure (free from germs).
Another ingredient of many all-purpose detergents
is fragrance in the form of various and
sometimes distinctive perfume oils. Worldwide,
fragrance preferences differ widely. While detergents
in Germany contain little to no perfume,
fragrance components are quite substantial in
the United States and Japan, where a stronger
fragrance suggests cleanliness and freshness.
Be cause of the high allergenic potential of many
perfumes, however, an increasing number of products
with reduced or no perfume oils can be found
on supermarket shelves.
Washing can be cool
Because hydrogen peroxide is fully effective only
at 95° C (boil wash), a temperature most fabric
items sold today cannot tolerate, all-purpose
laundry detergents in Europe have also contained
bleach activators like tetraacetylethylene diamine
(TAED), since the 1970s. In the washing machine,
TAED reacts with the hydrogen peroxide released
from the bleach to form peracetic acid under perhydrolysis.
Because TAED reaches its full bleaching
power at 40 to 60° C, laundry can be made
clean and sanitary even at lower temperatures.
This cuts energy costs significantly. In the
elements32 evonik science newsletter
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c o A t i n G & B o n D i n G t e c H n o l o G i e S
Laundry tips
White stripes on the laundry items
normally residue from the laundry detergent or softeners
(zeolites) on the fibers that forms when, for example, too
much powdered detergent is used or the washing machine
is overloaded. Follow measuring instructions and make sure
to fill the machine so that there is a hand‘s breadth between
the laundry and drum. the residue can be removed easily by
gently beating the articles.
Machine and laundry items have an unpleasant odor
caused by bacteria, especially when you routinely use liquid
laundry detergent. once a month, wash at 60 °c (140 °F)
with an all­purpose detergent or use stain remover regularly.
Saving energy and water
Always fill the machine to capacity. two half­filled machines
use more energy and water than one fully loaded machine.
Saving energy
wash temperatures of 30–40 °c (86–104 °F) are sufficient
in most cases. At these temperatures, an all­purpose laundry
detergent will usually get even towels, bed linens and underwear
hygienically clean. laundry will become absolutely
germ­free—in the case of infectious diseases, for example—
when washed at 60 °c with a suitable all­purpose laundry
detergent.
Saving water
Do not use the pre­wash cycle. with an all­purpose laundry
detergent, the main wash cycle will get normally soiled
laundry clean, and you will save up to 19 liters (about 5 gallons)
of water.
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