CHAPTER 27

THE CHEMISTRY OF
CLEANING AGENTS
THE CHEMISTRY OF CLEANING AGENTS

LEARNING OUTCOMES

• Distinguish between soaps and soapless detergents.

• Identify the active ingredients in laundering detergents.

• Describe the action of any two chemicals commonly used in

laundering.

• Explain how different fabrics are affected by the pH of the

detergent.

• Describe the precautions required in the use of chlorine bleaches in

laundering.
THE CHEMISTRY OF CLEANING AGENTS

LEARNING OUTCOMES

• Discuss the use of chemicals in the removal of stains.

• Explain the term ‘dry cleaning’.

• Discuss two factors that could affect the effectiveness of a ‘dry

cleaning’ solvent.

• Identify the active ingredients in at least two types of cleaners other

than detergents.

• Describe the chemical principles involved in the action of at least

two types of cleaner other than detergents.
THE CHEMISTRY OF CLEANING AGENTS

LEARNING OUTCOMES

• Discuss the use of at least one disinfectant or antiseptic.

• Discuss the use of pesticide sprays in the home.

• List at least four components of toothpaste.

• Describe the action of two essential components of toothpaste.

THE CHEMISTRY OF CLEANING AGENTS

SURFACTANTS

• Surface active agents or

surfactants are
chemicals that are
able to reduce surface
tension.

• A surfactant molecule is
made up of a
water-soluble
(hydrophilic) part and a
water-insoluble
(hydrophobic)
component, which binds
to the dirt particle.
THE CHEMISTRY OF CLEANING AGENTS

SOAPS AND SOAPLESS DETERGENTS

• Soap is made from a combination • Soapless detergents are

of an alkali salt and plant or
animal fatty acids.
• Soap forms a complex with the
metal ions in hard water, forming a
scum.
petroleum-based cleaning agents
and contain many other synthetic
substances.
• Soapless detergents do not form
scum in hard water.

• The process of making soap is

saponification.
THE CHEMISTRY OF CLEANING AGENTS

LAUNDERING DETERGENTS

• Modern detergents contain more than just surfactants.

• Other active ingredients include:

 Bleach
 Enzymes
 Water softeners
 Fabric softeners
 Fluorescent whitening agents
 Antimicrobial agents
 Stain removers
 Starch
THE CHEMISTRY OF CLEANING AGENTS

DRY CLEANING

• Dry cleaning is the process of washing using organic solvents instead of

water.

• The effectiveness of a dry cleaning solvent depends on the:

 Type of stain
 Type of fabric
 Dye in the fabric

• Dry cleaning is used especially on clothes which shrink when washed in

water, on clothes that get damaged by the action of soap or detergent, or on
delicate fabrics.
THE CHEMISTRY OF CLEANING AGENTS

HOUSEHOLD CLEANERS

• Alkali-based cleaners are • Acid-based cleaners are useful

soluble bases which are effective in removing hard-water deposits,
grease removers. discolouration from aluminium,
brass, bronze and copper and iron
rust stains.

• Alkalis are toxic and can irritate • Acids irritate and injure the skin
skin and eyes. Strong alkalis can
cause burns and if ingested, may and eyes.
lead to death.

• Examples are glass cleaners, • Examples are toilet bowl cleaners,

drain openers, tub, tiles and sink and metal cleaners and polishes.
cleaners.
THE CHEMISTRY OF CLEANING AGENTS
DISINFECTANTS AND ANTISEPTICS
• Disinfectants are antimicrobial
agents that are applied onto
inanimate objects to kill micro-
organisms in a process known as
disinfection.
• Types of disinfectants include
alcohol-based and aldehyde-
based disinfectants, oxidising
agents, phenolics and quaternary
ammonium compounds.
• Antiseptics are anti-microbial
substances that are applied to
living tissues to lower the chances
of infection.
• Examples of antiseptics are
alcohols, iodine, quaternary
ammonium compounds, sodium
chloride and chlorhexidine
gluconate
THE CHEMISTRY OF CLEANING AGENTS

PESTICIDES

• Synthetic pesticides are • Natural insecticides are safer

designed to prevent, destroy, than synthetic pesticides.
repel or mitigate certain types of
pests.

• Synthetic pesticides take a long • Natural insecticides break down

time to disintegrate and harms easily and affect the target
more than its target species. species of pests.

• E.g. Organochlorine compounds • E.g. Pyrethrum, nicotine,

such as sabadilla, rotenone, neem
dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane
(DDT)
THE CHEMISTRY OF CLEANING AGENTS

ANATOMY OF TEETH

• Our teeth are not made of

bone, but tissues of varying
density and hardness.

• Our teeth comprise of four

main parts:
 Enamel
 Dentine
 Cementum
 Pulp
THE CHEMISTRY OF CLEANING AGENTS

DENTAL CARE AND ITS IMPORTANCE

• Plague is a sticky bio-film comprising of large amounts of various bacteria

that form on our teeth, thriving on leftover food particles stuck between the
teeth.

• Dental cavities or tooth decay damage the structure of the teeth, leading to
discomfort, infection and tooth loss.
THE CHEMISTRY OF CLEANING AGENTS

TOOTHPASTE

Toothpaste
• Aids in the removal of dental plaque and food from
teeth
• Helps to mask bad breath (halitosis)
• Contains fluoride that prevents tooth decay.
• Mechanical action of brushing teeth removes
stains from tooth surfaces
• An important active ingredient is fluoride:
 Fluoride converts the enamel’s hydroxylapatite to a harder
mineral, fluoroapatite:
Ca5(PO4)3(OH) + F−  Ca5F(PO4)3
 Suppresses the ability of bacteria to generate acids
• Toothpaste also contains antimicrobial agents
such as:
 Triclosan to kill bacteria
 Zinc chloride or zinc citrate to stop growth of plaque
bacteria
THE CHEMISTRY OF CLEANING AGENTS

MOUTHWASH AND DENTAL FLOSS

Mouthwash
• Aids in killing bacteria that cause cavities, gum disease and
bad breath
• Contains antiseptic and antiplaque ingredients
• Is not a substitute for brushing teeth

Dental floss
• Removes food particles trapped between teeth that cannot be
removed by simple brushing
• Made of thin nylon coated with active ingredients and abrasives
THE CHEMISTRY OF CLEANING AGENTS

PERSONAL CLEANING

Bath Soaps and Shower Gels

• Bath soaps and shower gels are used to maintain personal hygiene.
• Sodium laureth sulphate is a surfactant/foaming agent found in many
personal care products such as soaps, shampoos, conditioners and
toothpaste.

Shampoos and Hair Conditioners

• Shampooing and hair conditioning help to remove oil and dirt from hair and
scalp.
• Shampoos and conditioners are slightly acidic (e.g. citric acid) to strengthen
hair structure and keep it smooth.
• Additives include:
 surfactants (e.g. ammonium lauryl sulphate, cocamide DEA) – to create lather
 humectants (e.g. glycerin) – to keep hair moist
 preservatives (e.g. sodium benzoate) – to kill bacteria and fungi