Washing methods throughout the world vary considerably, from manual scrubbing in the local river to highly sophisticated machines that include pre-wash and multi-choice conditions, or even a tumble dry function. However, even where the latest state of the art machines are available, whether you live in North America, Australasia or Europe, washing products will be expected to perform under different conditions. For example, cold water washing is common in parts of America and South Africa, and separate addition of a bleaching additive is practiced in America. In Europe, where we have looked for the convenience of everything in one packet, washing is carried out at higher temperatures, 40 [degrees] C and 60 [degrees] C being the most common. The bleach is contained in the powder, so only one product needs to be put into the machine. Fabric softeners had until a few years ago always been considered as a product to be added separately to the machine in the last rinse cycle, but several detergent manufacturers now have products which not only wash and bleach but also soften. However, with the current state of the art, some compromises have to be made both on washing performance and the degree of softening obtained. In each country the consumer has a perceived need for the washing performance to be obtained from any product.
The advantage of liquid detergents is that it is a dissolved washing solution. This means it works well using cooler temperatures. Powdered detergents take time to dissolve when used in cool water making them less efficient on lower temperature washes. Liquid detergents usually don�t contain bleaching agents so they are gentler on coloured fabrics.Author Alex Haley will be the speaker for the opening session. Other speakers include former astronaut Sally Ride, Dr. C. Everett Koop, political columnist Pat Buchanan and former Washington Redskins quarterback Joe Theismann.The future for liquidsAnti lime scale tablets soften water and prevent lime scale from forming. However, is you live in a soft water area, avoid using these tablets because water that is too soft makes it hard for your detergent to dissolve in the water. Interestingly enough, adding an anti-lime scale tablet to hard water can reduce the amount of detergent you need to use in your washing machine.For example, if we compare the detergency of non-aqueous and aqueous liquids, with a standard and a concentrated powder, we obtain the results."If a company has new products, this is the place where they will be introduced," said Doug Bloom, executive director of national accounts for Hill-Rom. Hill-Rom is sending between 60 and 70 staffers to the show, mostly from management and administration. But the company will not introduce any new product this year.Bleach. Krefeld and Empa cloths with coffee and red wine on cotton were used to compare the performance of powders and liquids. The tests were carried out in the same way as previously described. The benefit of bleach in the powder is very clearly and this is probably one of the major reasons for the limited acceptance of liquids, particularly in Europe. A gap exists in the marketplace for a good liquid detergent containing bleach.* concentrated blends of soap, nonionic and anionic surfactants with only small builder levelsDo
washing machines really live longer with anti lime scale tablets? The answer depends on the level of water hardness in your area. To work this out, contact your local water company. They can tell you the local the level of hardness of the water.* the ecotoxic implications of liquid detergents spilled by accident during transport and run to drain are likely to be greater than for powders, which could be contained and swept away for controlled disposal laterThe American Hospital Association, Chicago, expects to have 400 exhibitors at its annual conference, July 30-August 1 at the Washington Convention Center, Washington D.C.Liquids also carry a perceived benefit; many consumers believe liquids give fabrics a more gentle treatment than scratchy powders. With this background in mind, it is possible to understand why liquids enjoy different fortunes throughout the world.However, bleaching detergents can also be effective in preventing slime and moulds from growing in your washing machine. Detergents with bleaching agents are used mainly for white fabrics to clean and brighten them.Clearly, unless builder is included in the liquid, the detergency obtained from a liquid is significantly poorer than a powder at equal dosage and, except for the liquid with high surfactant content, underdosing leads to very inferior performance.The majority of exhibitors were at last year's show and encompass three product areas: patient care products and facilities; administrative services and products; and information systems and equipment.Products with added fabric conditioner have also been recently introduced but their performance has not been assessed in this paper.Types of liquid. There are four types of liquid available in the market:A spokesman for Baxter said the company will be exhibiting several new value-added programs and services.Should I put the detergent in the detergent dispenser or straight in the drum? With modern washing machines and detergent technology it really doesn�t matter. Whether or not you are using detergent dispenser won�t affect the wash.It was something of a surprise when liquids were introduced in Europe (West Germany) in 1982. Although Germany was just starting its move away from phosphate builders, the locally used powders contained bleach and it seemed unlikely that the liquids would give the overall performance of the powders. With heavy advertising the liquid market share grew to 10 per cent by 1987, at which level it appeared to be peaking. The major suppliers then branded their products with the same names as their best selling powder brands, and the market rose to a peak of almost 20 per cent in 1988. It has been steadily failing back, and was about 14 per cent in late 1989.* liquids are used at lower temperatures, thereby saving energyAs heavy duty liquids are currently formulated and sold, there are a number of pros and cons. The Table lists the benefits and disadvantages that the European consumer experiences when using a liquid rather than a powder. In general the balance of performance still favors the use of powders but the consumer does perceive a caring' benefit for liquids.* structured liquids with zeolite builder for the countries with phosphate legislationHence there seems to be a space in the market for a high density laundry liquid containing bleach which will give the benefit of smaller packs, total washing performance at a realistic price, with an environmentally friendly ticket. Such products are no longer dreams. Patents have been published by Unilever, Colgate and ICI on the concept of non-aqueous laundry liquids, and while none is yet available commercially, many of the problems have already been solved at least for phosphate built systems. These systems are intrinsically expensive, since there is no water in the products, but when used at the correct dose level they give excellent cost performance. A key requirement will be to educate the consumer to use small quantities.However, in the recently introduced higher density, phosphate free, sulphate filler free products we do seem to be paying a penalty in wash performance. This is probably due to lack of surfactant, since there are not enough inorganic solids present to carry the preferred level of surfactant liquids and keep a free flowing product.France and Italy seem to be mirroring Germany, but the downturn has not been as sharply noticed, while in the UK after a very late start (1986) liquid products have now reached 32 per cent market share. Almost from the outset in the UK, the major producers branded their products with their major powder names, and it was interesting to see how the market developed as each new brand was introduced. Japan has a very small liquid market (8 per cent) and the early introduction of high density powders in Japan appears to be preventing its development.Which is the best washing machine detergent to use - washing powder or liquid? First of all, powdered detergents have been in the market longer than liquid detergents and are still in the market. This tells us that people still find them effective; otherwise they would be no longer available on supermarket shelves.
For example, if we compare the detergency of non-aqueous and aqueous liquids, with a standard and a concentrated powder, we obtain the results.
Author: Paul Hepworth