Uses of Salt in the Detergent Industry
One of the main advantages of salt in the detergent industry is that it can be used in an array of functions. For instance, in the soap industry and synthetic detergent industry, industrial salts, such as sodium alkali, sodium chloride, sodium carbonate, and sodium sulfate, are used as thickeners and fillers. We will go into more detail about how these industries utilize salt later in this article.
Composition of Detergents: Where Does Salt Come In?
To fulfill the role of cleanliness and relieve the concerns of cleaning power and solubility in hard water, detergents are composed of various complex chemicals that carry out separate roles. To illustrate, for a detergent to work flawlessly, it can include surfactants, fatty acids for stabilizing, sodium mineral salts for grease removal, water softeners, bleaches, phosphates for controlling pH, and disinfectants.
How do Detergents work?
In both of the general categories of detergents, namely synthetic detergents and soaps, there are lipophilic and hydrophilic molecules. This is done so that the detergent can dissolve in water as well as fat, to ensure better cleanliness. However, the process by which synthetic detergents and soap carry out the cleaning process is different. In synthetic detergents, the alkyl chain attaches to fats, which are then dissolved with the help of the sulfonate group and disposed of with the water. In soap, the alkyl chain also attaches to the fats, but the soap’s salt head is the one responsible for dissolving the fats to get rid of them with water.
Role of Salt in Synthetic Detergents
Synthetic detergents rely heavily on salts to achieve its goals. From being part of its composition to having several different applications, salts play a significant role in the formation of synthetic detergents. To illustrate, synthetic detergents are formed of chains of hydrocarbons that are bonded to the salt of an acid that is soluble in water. Moreover, salts are used as thickeners in liquid soaps and shampoos, filler in washing powder, and as an enhancer for the electrolyte content of detergent, which shortens the cleaning time.
Role of Salt in Soap
Salts are added to soap during the saponification process to enhance the cleaning property of the soap. That is because, salt enables the soap to generate more foam when it comes in contact with water, and as the foam increases, the better the cleaning ability of the soap and the cleaner the object you use the soap on becomes.
Detergent Salt of the Egyptian Lebanese Company for Food Industry
The Egyptian Lebanese Company offers salt for powder detergent and liquid detergent as well as colored salt speckles to enhance the performance and appearance of your product. Available in 25, 50, and 1250 kg bags.