A detergent is a product used for cleaning.
A detergent is a substance that is used for cleaning since it has properties that allow it to remove dirt without affecting the material subjected to the cleaning process. The notion of detergent, therefore, allows us to name a type of product that is marketed so that people can remove dirt from plates, cutlery, glasses and other utensils and objects.
For example: “How do you want me to wash the dishes if there is no more detergent?” , “This morning, at the supermarket, I bought a lemon-scented detergent” , “I recommend that you use more detergent: otherwise you will not be able to remove the grease from the pan” .
Detergent concept
As an adjective , detergent is that which cleanses. The Royal Spanish Academy (RAE) defines this verb as the action of cleaning something without causing corrosion . This means that various classes of substances can be classified within the group of detergents according to the material to be cleaned.
Suppose a person gets ink on his hand. If you apply a little saliva to your stained fingers and rub to remove the ink, you have used the saliva as a detergent. This action will likely allow you to dissolve and erase traces of ink from your hand, without causing any damage to the skin .
Detergents allow cleaning without corroding.
Classification according to type
In short, we can talk about different types of detergent according to their purpose. There are laundry detergents , dish detergents , cement detergents , etc. It is also possible to find liquid , powder and other detergents.
Although the most common are those we use in the kitchen and for clothing, there are several types with well-defined names. Let's start by talking in detail about liquid detergents , the best known and the ones with the greatest variety on the market. Generally, they are sold in containers of sizes that facilitate their handling, in addition to having a dispenser adapted to their application.
Liquid detergent can also be made with different consistencies and aromas, in addition to including certain components ideal for treating the surfaces to be cleaned. Focusing on the one used for clothes, one difference it has with powder detergent, which we will talk about below, is that it disperses in less time when the washing machine starts up. In addition, it gives better results with low temperature water .
washing powder
Regarding powder detergent , it is interesting to note that it was the first to hit the market to treat clothes. While the liquid is more suitable for removing stains from liquid products, such as oils and sauces, the powder works better against traces of coarse particles, such as grass or dirt, among others. When using a machine, powder detergent is more "insistent" because it moves from one side of the fabric to the other until the dirt comes off.
Before the invention of laundry machines, this task was done by hand, with soaps or detergents, and using tools such as a board to rub the clothes before rinsing them. Currently, only a minority wash their clothes this way, since washing machines and dryers offer us considerable savings in time and effort. On the other hand, there is a risk of further wear and tear.
Something similar happens with dishes, saving the issue of deterioration: dishwasher machines are increasingly common, because they allow us to not worry about the tedious task of washing the dishes after meals. However, they entail non-existent electricity costs when doing it by hand and purchasing specific detergents, instead of using the cheapest ones.