herbs which cleanse wounds, etc.
a product designed to render, for example, oils and greases soluble in water, usually made from synthetics that lower the surface tension of a solvent (usually water).
compounds that possess a cleaning action and have hydrophilic and lipophilic parts. Although products used for handwashing or antiseptic handwash in a health-care setting represent various types of detergents, the term “soap” is used to refer to such detergents in this guideline. Detergents make no antimicrobial claims on the label.
These are organic chemicals designed to clean surfaces or objects. They do this by reducing the surface tension and suspend dirt in suspension from the object to be cleaned. Early detergents were long chain alcohol derivatives of sodium sulphate salts, such as sodium lauryl sulphate CH3(CH2)11O.SO2.ONa they were superseded by alkyl benzene sulphonates but these could not be broken down easily by bacteria at sewage works so these were eventually replaced by more eco-friendly detergents. Detergent molecules come in two parts - the sulphate or phosphate end (water soluble hydrophilic portion) and an organic hydrocarbon chain (water insoluble hydrophobic portion).
Added to washing and cleaning agents to lower the surface tension of water.
Compounds similar to soap, but not made from fats. Because of their ability to emulsify dirt, they are used as cleaning agents, but are not disinfectants.
Cleansers which use petroleum distillates in place of vegetable oils.
Synthesized chemical that lift oils, fat and grime from the skin, holding them in a foam that can be rinsed off. Soap-free cleansing bars and liquid cleansers always contain detergents. The word sounds harsh, but detergents can actually be made milder than soap.
Detergents are defined as metallo-organic compounds (e.g. alkyl salicylate, phenolates and sulphonates) which prevent the formation of combustion residues, corrosive wear and corrosion.
Substances with a high surface activity. Similar in general to soaps; made synthetically to a large extent.