Dishwashing liquid explained

Dishwashing liquid (washing-up liquid in British English), also known as dishwashing soap, dish detergent, or dish soap, is a detergent used in dishwashing. Dishwashing detergent for dishwashers comes in various forms such as cartridges, gels, liquids, packs, powder, and tablets.[1] It is usually a highly-foamy mixture of surfactants with low skin irritation that consumers primarily use for washing glasses, plates, cutlery, and cooking utensils. In addition to its primary use, dishwashing liquid is also used for various informal applications, like creating bubbles, clothes washing, and cleaning off wildlife affected by oil spills.

Dishwashing liquid has existed for a long time with different compositions and conditions for use.[2] [3] Currently, most dishwashing liquid functions best with hot water. However, there are some special dishwashing liquids designed to work well with cold water or seawater.

History

See main article: Detergent. Before the invention of detergents in Germany during World War I, consumers used washing soda (sodium carbonate) for dishwashing. The manufacture of liquid detergent for dishwashing began in the middle of the 20th century. Dishwashing detergent production started in the United States in the 1930s–1940s.[4] Teepol, the first dishwashing detergent in Europe, commenced production in 1942.[5]

In 2005, dishwashing detergent retail sales totaled nearly 10 billion USD worldwide.

Composition and Safety

Dishwashing liquid may contain bleach, enzymes, and rinsing aids. The main ingredient is water; the main active ingredients is detergent. Dishwashing liquid has detergent rather than soap because the soaps would react with any minerals in the water to form soap scum. There are other thickening and stabilizing agents in the dishwashing liquid as well.[6]

Hand dishwashing detergents utilize surfactants to play the primary role in cleaning. The reduced surface tension of water and increased solubility of modern surfactant mixtures allow water to run off dishes very quickly. Additionally, surfactants remove grease and food particles to aid in cleaning dishes. They may also provide foam.

Other ingredients may include hydrotropes, salts, preservatives, fragrances, antibacterial ingredients, and dyes. Preservatives prevent microorganisms' proliferation within the liquid.[4] Antibacterial ingredients make it difficult for bacteria to survive on surfaces.[4]

Some alternatives for dishwashing detergents may be homemade, using ingredients such as borax, essential oil, eucalyptus oil, leftover cooking oil, and bar soap, among others.[7] [8]

Items that can be damaged by certain dishwashing liquids (especially with the use of hot water or when put into a dishwasher) include household silver, fine glassware, gold-leafed objects, disposable plastics, as well as objects made of brass, bronze, cast iron, pewter, tin, or wood. Dishwashing liquid components are also harder to rinse off from rough surfaces than smooth surfaces, increasing the chance of accidental ingestion.[9]

In 2010, the United States FDA raised health concerns over triclosan, an antibacterial substance used in some dish liquids.[10] Elsewhere, triclosan has been found to create problems at wastewater treatment plants, whereby it can "sabotage some sludge-processing microbes and promote drug resistance in others."[11] As of 2014, at least one US state has banned triclosan in dishwashing liquids.[12]

Some dishwashing products contain phosphates. Phosphates make dishes cleaner but can also cause harmful algal bloom as the wastewater goes back to the natural environment.[13] Because of this, many places have banned this component. Phosphates can also cause harmful health effects upon skin contact.[4]

Many dishwashing liquids contain perfume which can cause irritant or allergic contact dermatitis.[14] It can also cause hand eczema. Those with sensitive skin should persuade someone else to do the washing up.[15] Recent research has found that Blackcurrant seeds are helpful for lessening the effects of allergies, due to its hydrophobicity.[16] Surfactants that are anionic also showed promising results in preventing skin irritation.[17]

Accidental ingestion of rinse aids (components within dishwashing tablets) can lead to vomiting.[18]

Surfactant design

There has been comparisons of different surfactants that reduce the surface tension of water to determine the most efficient dishwashing liquid.[19] Lowering of surface tension helps with the cleaning processes.[20] A study showed that anionic surfactant combined with non-ionic surfactant worked better than anionic and amphoteric surfactants combined. Another study found that cationic and anionic surfactants combined worked better than non-ionic and anionic surfactants combined. Anionic and amphoteric surfactants combined are the least effective out of the three.

Primary uses

Dishwashing liquid is primarily for removing food from dirty dishes and tableware. Consumers usually scrape heavy soil (large food particles) from the dishes before using dishwashing liquid.

Hand dishwashing

Consumers handwash dishes in the absence of a dishwashing machine and when large "hard-to-clean" items are present, or through preference.

Automatic dishwashing

Automatic dishwashing is when consumers use a dishwashing machine or other apparatus. It is generally for convenience, sanitation, or personal preference. The cleaning is less reliant on the detergent's surfactants and more so on the machine's hot water as well as the detergent's builders, bleach, and enzymes. Automatic dishwashing detergents' surfactants generally have less foam to avoid disrupting the machine.

Informal uses

Reader's Digest notes it may be used to kill ants and weeds, help spread water-borne fertilizer, and wash human hair.[21] Good Housekeeping says it can be mixed with vinegar to attract and drown fruit flies. Dishwashing detergent can clean mirrors as well as windows.[22]

Market share

Currently, market research companies like Euromonitor and Grand View Research collect data on different brands' market share.[41] [42]

Grand View Research gives the general global market trend. For example, for 2021, the company reported dishwashing detergent market share to be at 17.98 billion US dollars worldwide.

Euromonitor International collects market trends of many big brands like Procter and Gamble, Colgate-Palmolive, Henkel, Reckitt Benckiser, Unilever, Ajax.

For example, according to Euromonitor International in 2013, Reckitt Benckiser held the highest retail value share percentages in nine countries: Italy (31%), Spain (29%); with Finish brand: Australia (38%), New Zealand (38%), Austria (32%), Ireland (29%), and Israel (27%); Denmark (30%) with Neophos brand; and Portugal (22%) with Calgonit brand.

See also

Further reading

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2014-01-10 . Top Dishwasher detergent Ratings Dishwasher detergent Buying Guide – Consumer Reports . 2024-04-06 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140110042516/http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/dishwasher-detergents/buying-guide.htm . 10 January 2014.
  2. Book: Balderston, Lydia Ray . 1921 . Housewifery: A Manual and Text Book of Practical Housekeeping . J.B. Lippincott . 23.
  3. Web site: Soaps & Detergent: History 3 – Clean Living. American Cleaning Institute. 10 January 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150109153237/http://www.cleaninginstitute.org/clean_living/soaps__detergent_history_3.aspx. 9 January 2015. live.
  4. Book: Zoller, Uri . 29 October 2008 . Handbook of Detergents, Part E: Applications . CRC Press . 39–65 . 978-1-57444-757-6.
  5. Web site: Our history. Shell.com. 12 December 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161218235253/http://www.shell.com/business-customers/chemicals/about-shell-chemicals/our-history.html. 18 December 2016. live.
  6. Web site: 2015-01-10 . Dishwashing Detergent, Household Floor & Bleach Cleaner Colgate-Palmolive, Murphy & Ajax Home Care Products . 2024-04-06 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150110191326/http://www.colgate.com/app/Colgate/US/HC/Products/Dishwashing/Ajax/Product-Ingredients/Antibacterial-Orange.cvsp . 10 January 2015.
  7. Web site: 2016-01-13 . Essential Oils Guide: Reference for Living Young, Healing, Weight Loss ... - Grace Masters - Google Books . 2024-04-06 . Masters . Grace.
  8. Evelyn . Evelyn . Saputra . Edy . Komalasari . Komalasari . Utami . Syelvia Putri . 2018-12-28 . Community training in dishwashing-liquid soap making from waste cooking oil . Riau Journal of Empowerment . 1 . 2 . 67–74 . 10.31258/raje.1.2.9 . 2623-1549.
  9. Bavcon Kralj . Mojca . Fortuna . Anja . Abram . Anže . Trebše . Polonca . 2019-07-31 . Dish handwashing: an overlooked source of contamination . Environmental Chemistry Letters . 18 . 1 . 181–185 . 10.1007/s10311-019-00918-5 . 1610-3653.
  10. News: 2015-01-10 . FDA says studies on triclosan, used in sanitizers and soaps, raise concerns . . 2024-04-06 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150110182256/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/07/AR2010040704621.html . 10 January 2015.
  11. Web site: 2015-01-10 . Another Reason To Avoid Triclosan And Anti-Bacterial Soaps – It's Messing Up Sewage Treatment Systems . 2024-04-06 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150110203326/http://www.inquisitr.com/1314977/another-reason-to-avoid-triclosan-and-anti-bacterial-soaps-its-messing-up-sewage-treatment-systems/ . 10 January 2015.
  12. Web site: 2014-12-25 . Minnesota bans triclosan, an ingredient in antibacterial soaps - LA Times . . 2024-04-06 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141225184948/http://www.latimes.com/home/la-lh-minnesota-becomes-first-state-to-ban-triclosan-20140521-story.html . 25 December 2014.
  13. Kogawa . Ana Carolina . Cernic . Beatriz Gamberini . do Couto . Leandro Giovanni Domingos . Salgado . Hérida Regina Nunes . September 2017 . Synthetic detergents: 100 years of history . Saudi Pharmaceutical Journal . 25 . 6 . 934–938 . 10.1016/j.jsps.2017.02.006 . 5605839 . 28951681.
  14. Web site: 2015-07-06 . Contact Dermatitis. What is contact dermatitis? Treatment Patient . 2024-04-06 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150706234330/http://patient.info/health/contact-dermatitis . 6 July 2015.
  15. Web site: Protection for hand eczema . https://web.archive.org/web/20140211173651/http://www.ouh.nhs.uk/patient-guide/leaflets/files%5C110117handeczema.pdf . dead . 11 February 2014 . Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals . October 2009 . 10 January 2015 .
  16. Wasilewski . Tomasz . Seweryn . Artur . Bujak . Tomasz . 2016-04-02 . Supercritical carbon dioxide blackcurrant seed extract as an anti-irritant additive for hand dishwashing liquids . Green Chemistry Letters and Reviews . 9 . 2 . 114–121 . 10.1080/17518253.2016.1180432 . 2016GCLR....9..114W . 1751-8253. free.
  17. Seweryn . Artur . Klimaszewska . Emilia . Ogorzałek . Marta . July 2019 . Improvement in the Safety of Use of Hand Dishwashing Liquids through the Addition of Sulfonic Derivatives of Alkyl Polyglucosides . Journal of Surfactants and Detergents . 22 . 4 . 743–750 . 10.1002/jsde.12299 . 1097-3958.
  18. Day . Rachael C. . Bradberry . Sally M. . Sandilands . Euan A. . Thomas . Simon H. L. . Thompson . John P. . Vale . Allister . 2018-06-03 . Exposures to automatic dishwashing rinse aids reported to the United Kingdom National Poisons Information Service 2008–2016 . Clinical Toxicology . 56 . 6 . 427–432 . 10.1080/15563650.2017.1393083 . 29156998 . 1556-3650.
  19. Jadidi . Nazanin . Adib . Behrooz . Malihi . Farrokh B. . January 2013 . Synergism and Performance Optimization in Liquid Detergents Containing Binary Mixtures of Anionic–Nonionic, and Anionic–Cationic Surfactants . Journal of Surfactants and Detergents . 16 . 1 . 115–121 . 10.1007/s11743-012-1371-y . 1097-3958.
  20. Blagojević . Stevan N. . Blagojević . Slavica M. . Pejić . Nataša D. . 2016-03-01 . Performance and Efficiency of Anionic Dishwashing Liquids with Amphoteric and Nonionic Surfactants . Journal of Surfactants and Detergents . 19 . 2 . 363–372 . 10.1007/s11743-015-1784-5 . 1558-9293.
  21. Web site: 2015-01-09 . 6 Extraordinary Uses for Dishwashing Soap | Reader's Digest . 2024-04-06 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150109235359/http://www.rd.com/slideshows/6-extraordinary-uses-for-dishwashing-soap/view-all/ . 9 January 2015.
  22. Web site: 2015-02-23 . Great Cleaning Tips: How To Wash Windows, Mirrors Without Streaks . . 2024-04-06 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150223001538/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/23/cleaning-tips-wash-windows_n_1298133.html . 23 February 2015.
  23. Web site: 2016-08-28 . Twibright Pling . 2024-04-06 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160828221956/http://ronja.twibright.com/pling.php . 28 August 2016.
  24. Web site: 2015-01-09 . Blow the Biggest Bubbles - Scientific American . . 2024-04-06 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150109080333/http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/blow-the-biggest-bubbles/ . 9 January 2015.
  25. Book: 2016-01-13 . Laundry: The Home Comforts Book of Caring for Clothes and Linens - Cheryl Mendelson - Google Books . 2024-04-06 . 978-1-4391-8856-9 . Mendelson . Cheryl . Simon and Schuster.
  26. Web site: Decal Instructions . 2024-04-06 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304035205/http://www.aerotech-rocketry.com/customersite/resource_library/instructions/Misc_Instructions/decal_instructions.pdf . 4 March 2016.
  27. Web site: 2015-01-09 . General Application - Graphic Products . 2024-04-06 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150109234224/http://www.orafol.com/gp/americas/en/faqs/articles/15712 . 9 January 2015.
  28. Propane Safety . PopUp Times . 7 July 2012 .
  29. News: 2014-12-31 . How to Leak Test a Copper Supply Pipe Home Guides SF Gate . Weekand . 2024-04-06 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141231220520/http://homeguides.sfgate.com/leak-test-copper-supply-pipe-27797.html . 31 December 2014 . Blakesley . Kim .
  30. Web site: 2015-01-04 . Tech FAQ: Zinn on Leaking Valve Stems, Chain Length - VeloNews.com . 2024-04-06 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150104153629/http://velonews.competitor.com/2011/12/mtb/tech-faq-zinn-on-leaking-valve-stems-chain-length_252110 . 4 January 2015.
  31. Web site: 2015-01-21 . How to Mount an ATV Tire Field & Stream . 2024-04-06 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150121001057/http://www.fieldandstream.com/articles/gear/atvs/2012/08/how-mount-atv-tire . 21 January 2015.
  32. Guide to high speed patrol car tires . Law Enforcement Equipment Technology . 1979 . Lewis . Alvin C. . Lewis . Ernest . Law Enforcement Standards Laboratory . National Institute of Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice . 33 . 480 . 15 .
  33. Web site: 2015-02-23 . Cold weather gardening: Kale - Frankfort & Franklin County, Kentucky . 2024-04-06 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150223001503/http://state-journal.com/spectrum/2015/01/03/cold-weather-gardening-kale . 23 February 2015.
  34. Web site: 2015-01-09 . Using Surfactants, Wetting Agents, and Adjuvants in the Greenhouse Publications UGA Extension . 2024-04-06 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150109235035/http://extension.uga.edu/publications/detail.cfm?number=B1319 . 9 January 2015.
  35. Book: 2016-01-13 . Householder's Survival Manual - Reader's Digest - Google Books . 2024-04-06 . Reader's Digest . 978-0-7621-0135-1.
  36. Web site: 2014-12-05 . Fruit juice (apple, grape, orange); Stain Solutions U of I Extension . 2024-04-06 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141205030414/http://web.extension.illinois.edu/stain/staindetail.cfm?ID=43 . 5 December 2014.
  37. Web site: 2014-12-03 . How To Remove The Toughest Stains From Your Table Linens . . 2024-04-06 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141203210353/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/11/21/cleaning-table-linens_n_6186274.html . 3 December 2014.
  38. News: 2015-01-10 . Dawn dishwashing detergent saves wildlife . . 2024-04-06 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150110192140/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/15/AR2010061501694.html . 10 January 2015.
  39. News: 2015-09-25 . South coast rescued oil birds set to be released - BBC News . BBC News . 2024-04-06 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150925215907/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-21497436 . 25 September 2015.
  40. Web site: P . Brenda . May 19, 2022 . FLUFFY DISH SOAP "SLIME" (BORAX FREE) .
  41. Web site: 2015-01-13 . Dishwashing industry market share, market research, trends . 2024-04-06 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150113185454/http://www.euromonitor.com/dishwashing . 13 January 2015.
  42. Web site: Global Dishwashing Detergent Market Share Report, 2028 . 2024-04-14 . www.grandviewresearch.com.

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