Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Science/2021 February 27

= February 27 =

Detergents
Manufacturers produce and market an array of detergents that supposedly are designed for different purposes - such as washing-up liquid, laundry liquid, floor cleaner, wooden floor cleaner, multi-purpose cleaner, toilet cleaner, shower cleaner etc. Yet when I look at the ingredients on different products, they seem to contain basically similar ingredients, namely surfactants (some kind of blend of anionic and/or non-ionic and/or amphoteric), water, perfume, preservative, and maybe a mild acid (presumably to tackle limescale) and something anti-bacterial. Is there really a significant difference between these products labelled for different purposes, or is it mostly a marketing ploy? PaleCloudedWhite (talk) 11:16, 27 February 2021 (UTC)
 * The article Laundry detergent lists quite a few ingredients that are peculiar to laundry needs, including enzymes. Phosphates in detergent have been banned. Laundry detergent and dishwashing soap for machines have anti-foaming agents. Hand dishwashing soap has been reformulated to prevent dishpan hands, which I used to experience but no longer. And I can attest to a noticeable difference between brand name laundry detergents such as Tide (known to be better by shoplifters everywhere) and cheaper generics. Abductive  (reasoning) 18:18, 27 February 2021 (UTC)
 * Just an FYI: I've noticed that dishpan hands is a redirect to dishwashing which does not mention dishpan hands anywhere, thus it's an invalid redirect. I presume it is actually contact dermatitis? Roger (Dodger67) (talk) 13:41, 5 March 2021 (UTC)
 * It seems it is irritant contact dermatitis, at least according to https://www.medicinenet.com/irritant_contact_dermatitis/definition.htm.  Abductive  (reasoning) 15:09, 5 March 2021 (UTC)
 * If you live in an area of high water hardness, the reported anecdotal evidence for such a difference may be largely due to the absence of water softeners such as zeolites in your cheaper generics. --Lambiam 09:14, 28 February 2021 (UTC)
 * Thanks. So it seems there are some differences, particularly regarding laundry cleaners. Though the differences between other products don't seem especially large, and to a certain extent many of the various products seem interchangeable on a day-to-day basis, e.g. the brand of washing-up liquid that I use seems just as effective at cleaning bathroom surfaces as the 'shower cleaner' that I bought, indeed it seems more effective, as it produces more lather and I therefore use less of it. PaleCloudedWhite (talk) 09:03, 1 March 2021 (UTC)
 * Some janitors I know swear by oven cleaner for cleaning bathtub scale and soap scum, as these are not responsive to detergents. Abductive  (reasoning) 20:38, 1 March 2021 (UTC)
 * Lots of Google results for using white vinegar to dissolve limescale. Alternatively you could by a bathroom cleaner which includes an acid pre-mixed with detergent, which seems a lot easier to me. Alansplodge (talk) 14:11, 2 March 2021 (UTC)
 * Easier than spraying oven cleaner on the bathtub and walking away? Abductive  (reasoning) 16:00, 2 March 2021 (UTC)
 * Maybe, I'll give it a try. Alansplodge (talk) 16:38, 2 March 2021 (UTC)