Proper Storage Conditions for Laundry Detergents:

 

Laundry detergents are generally manufactured in three physical states, solid, paste and liquid. The liquid formulations are produced in different viscosity depending on the application. Below we will discuss the proper storage conditions of our detergents, based on their chemical composition.

 

Powder detergent:

 

Moisture:

It must be stored in a dry environment, since moisture will make the product cake (harden). When the product is hard, it will not dissolve as easy, it will plug the dispensers of the laundry machines and chemical reactions will make the product deteriorate.

 

Our powder detergent contains sodium percarbonate to help the stain removal process. This chemical is not stable when moist and will decompose overtime in a moist environment.

 

Temperature:

 

Low temperatures do not affect the powder detergent much, but as the product contains a minute amount of moisture and a liquid detergent absorbed into the other ingredient, exposure to very low temperatures for a period of time may result in hardening of the product. This process will not affect the functionality of the detergent.

 

High temperatures may produce the product to lose oxygen, which will render it less effective to remove stains

 

Recommendations: Store the product in a dry place at room temperature (or in the range of 50F to 80F)

 

Liquid detergents:

 

Liquid detergent formulations are very sensitive to heat. Moisture is not a concern in this case. There are several effects that the temperature will have on the liquid formulations. To understand these effects is necessary to know that liquid detergents are not true solutions, the products are emulsified, in the form of small micelles or coupled with each other by the use of hydrotropes.

 

In addition to these issues in some cases it is preferred to thicken the detergent systems for consumer appeal. Thickening is achieved by the use of salts or carboses (or similar products).

 

Without getting in-dept in the subject it is important to mention that in laundry detergent formulations usually a mixture of anionic and non-ionic detergents are used to achieve better cleaning. These detergents separate from the system over or under a temperature called cloud point.

 

Exposure of liquid detergents to very low temperature produces freezing, several cycles of freezing and thawing will destabilize the system producing separation of the components, precipitation or loss of viscosity.

 

Exposure to high temperatures will produce similar effects, loss of viscosity and separation of the components and possible precipitation.

 

Liquid detergents are also more prone to microbial contamination of left open than powder detergents.

 

Recommendations: Store the product in a dry place at room temperature (or in the range of 50F to 80F)