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Easy quality control of detergents and hand sanitizers with NIRS

Apr 17, 2023

Article

This article is Part 3 of a series.

The saying «cleanliness is next to godliness» has been around for centuries. The implication is that the act of keeping our clothing, living spaces, belongings, and of course our own bodies clean elevates us above other animals, and by extension, our own baser instincts. Aside from this, it is well-known that diseases flourish in unclean conditions, and it is in our best interest as a society to keep things clean. Therefore, cleaning agents (e.g., detergents and sanitizers) are constants in our daily lives.

Many cleaning agents come in contact with our skin and are generally disposed of by means of rinsing or drying. Accordingly, they must be tested for safety reasons and to ensure the key ingredients are present in the correct quantities for quality control purposes. This blog article explains the uses of detergents and hand sanitizers as well as how to perform quality control of these products with near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS).

What are detergents?

Often, the words detergent and soap are used interchangeably even though these are two different products. Detergents are defined as «any of numerous synthetic water-soluble or liquid organic preparations that are chemically different from soaps but are able to emulsify oils, hold dirt in suspension, and act as wetting agents» [1]. Soaps differ in that they are prepared using an alkali and a fat component to form a sodium (or potassium) salt of the fatty acid.

As the definition states, detergents are cleaning agents which emulsify oils and dirt. Several kinds of products are available on the market for various purposes: liquid detergent, powder, and even concentrated single-use pods. These detergents are not generally all-purpose, but can be specialized e.g., for dishwashing, laundry, and even as high efficiency concoctions for tough stains and odors.

Detergents come in many formulations (e.g., hypoallergenic, eco-friendly, and containing bleach). Some examples include liquid laundry detergent, solid dishwashing tablets, powders, and pods.
Detergents come in many formulations (e.g., hypoallergenic, eco-friendly, and containing bleach). Some examples include liquid laundry detergent, solid dishwashing tablets, powders, and pods.