Industry guide / Home and personal care
Cleaning and Personal Care
Identify the soil, surface and wash conditions before choosing a surfactant, builder or enzyme. For personal care, assess the complete formula and its intended use.
Process guide
Soil removal, rinsing and formulation stability
Explore 6 processes and 38 distinct materials. Choose a process to compare candidates, operating conditions and trial methods.
Hard water impairs cleaning or foam performance
Establish the conditions
Identify the soil, surface, water hardness and rinse conditions. Review surfactants as a blend.
Materials and their roles
Trial and comparison. Use the same soil and wash programme to compare removal, foam and rinseability. Record formulation pH, temperature and surfactant active content.
Washed items turn gray or develop deposits
Establish the conditions
Check water hardness, pH, soil type and destination-market requirements for the chosen builder or chelant.
Materials and their roles
Trial and comparison. Use the same water hardness and test soil. Compare cleaning and redeposition, then verify the applicable use requirements for the proposed builder or chelant.
Protein, starch or grease stains remain after washing
Establish the conditions
Match the fabric, stain and wash temperature to the bleach or enzyme. Check compatibility in the complete formula.
Materials and their roles
Trial and comparison. Test bleachable, protein, starch and fat stains separately. At the target temperature record removal, retained enzyme activity where relevant and effects on the substrate.
An emulsion separates or misses its viscosity or skin-feel target
Establish the conditions
Specify the product type, pH, preservation system and desired rheology for the home or personal care formulation.
Materials and their roles
Trial and comparison. Use one emulsion or gel base. Record order of addition and pH, then compare flow, centrifuge stability, hot/cold cycling and application feel.
Storage stability or formulation pH falls outside the target
Establish the conditions
Review the intended market and product category for each preservative. Assess performance in the finished formulation.
Materials and their roles
Trial and comparison. Set separate criteria for pH, preservation and evaporation. Use an appropriate challenge test for the finished product and check permitted uses for the destination market.
A cleaned surface needs a specific hygiene treatment
Establish the conditions
Distinguish cleaning from a disinfectant claim. Confirm intended surface, permitted use and product label.
Materials and their roles
Trial and comparison. Have qualified personnel assess efficacy and surface compatibility under the applicable label conditions and for the specified use location.
Documentation and purchasing
Prepare for a technical discussion
Share your current material or specification, process conditions, trial acceptance criteria, estimated quantity and destination. For regulated uses, identify the finished product and intended market.