There are many raw materials used in laundry detergents and various ways to formulate these products to achieve effective cleaning and aesthetic effects. This blog aims to outline what these raw materials do and how to formulate them in powder, liquid, and formats like water-soluble pods.

HARKE UK can supply many of these raw materials and has the formulation expertise to use them in the most effective ways. The first part of this blog explains the chemistry and applications, while the second part details what we offer to formulators.

Formulation Parameters

Laundry detergents need to possess a range of attributes and must cope with a variety of soils on different fabrics. They should effectively remove soils and prevent redeposition without damaging the fibres.

To achieve this, a range of materials must be used in the correct ratios. This requires in-depth knowledge of the chemistry and performance attributes of these raw materials, as well as experience in creating a compatible system that has the right aesthetic properties and performance.

Basic Needs

Surfactants

These must be chosen to provide optimal detergency to remove soil and act as wetting agents, delivering other actives to fibres and solubilising fragrances. Modern formulations often use fatty alcohol ethoxylates, derived from either synthetic or natural alcohols. Anionic surfactants, such as dodecyl benzene sulfonate, alkyl methyl taurates, or olefin sulfonates, are also commonly used. However, in the UK and Europe, high-foaming anionics can pose issues in front-loading machines, so defoaming agents may be needed. Our expertise lies in formulating these materials in the right synergistic ratios.

Builders

Builders act as chelating agents, removing hard water salts and aiding grease removal through alkalinity. They also help to prevent encrustation (hard water salt deposits), which can cause yellowing, dull colours, and fabric stiffness.

Originally, detergent builders included phosphates, like sodium tripolyphosphate (TSP), which have been largely replaced by eco-friendly alternatives, such as organic chelates like tetrasodium EDTA, imidodisuccinates, and GLDA, as well as polyacrylates. Disilicates are also used to replace phosphates in powders, providing ion exchange and alkalinity.

Enzymes

Bio-detergents, whether liquid or powder, often contain enzymes such as alkaline protease, lipase, and cellulase for effective stain removal (e.g., for egg or blood).

Anti-Redeposition Agents

Once soils are removed, preventing them from redepositing onto fabrics is essential. Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (Sodium CMC), polyacrylic acid homopolymers, acrylic acid/maleic copolymers, low-viscosity methyl hydroxyethyl celluloses (MHEC), and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) are all effective anti-redeposition agents.

Soil Release Polymers

These polymers form a hydrophilic film on fibres, making it easier to remove hydrophobic soils in subsequent washes. The main products used are PET/POET esters, which also offer anti-redeposition benefits.

Bleach

Sodium hypochlorite is no longer used in home or industrial laundry systems due to its harshness on fabrics. Instead, peroxy systems such as the use of Peracetic acid ‘produced in situ’ by the reaction (‘mainly’) of Tetracetyl Ethylene Diamine (TAED) and Sodium Percarbonate (PCS) is used in Powdered detergent. As an alternative the product Phthalamido peroxy hexanoic acid (PAP) may also be used.

Optical Brightening Agents

These dyestuffs absorb UV light and re-emit it in the blue spectrum, creating the effect of whiter whites and brighter colours. Standard dyes are also sometimes used for aesthetic enhancement.

Built-In Fabric Conditioner

It’s possible to add cationic softeners to both liquid and powder laundry detergents, provided the surfactant systems are non-ionic or amphoteric. In powders, cationic-modified zeolites are commonly used, while liquids use various liquid cationics. Formulation expertise is essential to ensure stability.

HARKE UK’s Offer

HARKE UK has significant experience formulating both liquid and powder laundry detergents, as well as concentrates, structured liquid/gel systems, and water-soluble sachets. 

Surfactants

We supply a range of anionic surfactants, including Alkyl Methyl Taurates, Geropon TC95 and T77, and the liquid Geropon TC Clear, as well as Olefin Sulfonates and Rhodacal LSS grades suitable for both powders and liquids. We also offer a variety of non-ionic fatty alcohol ethoxylates (some bio-derived) and can advise on the types and ratios needed for optimal performance. For example, Rhodasurf L7 NAT MB uses bio-derived ethylene oxide and a natural fatty alcohol base.

Builders and Bleach

We provide the builder Resaquest ECO for liquid systems, known for its excellent eco credentials and superior performance compared to many standard builders. Additionally, we have access to the phosphonate HEDPA (Hydroxy Ethylidene Diphosphonic Acid, or Etidronic Acid), a strong metal ion chelating agent that also acts as a stain remover. This material is particularly useful in liquid systems and can be incorporated into powders with the right formulation technology.

Our range of polyacrylate builders from ICT, branded as Flexisperse, delivers chelation, dispersion, and encrustation inhibition. We market PAP under the trade name Eureco, available as a stable slurry (Eureco LX grades) for industrial laundries or as a standalone bleach additive in the retail market. It is also offered in a coated granule form (Eureco RP103) for powder systems, and we can provide guidance on use levels and formulations.

Soil Release Polymers and Anti-Redeposition Agents 

We offer a range of soil release polymers from Syensqo, under the trade name Repel-O-Tex, suitable for both liquids and powders. For example, Repel-O-Tex Crystal and Repel-O-Tex NAT (Natural based) are ideal for liquid systems, while Repel-O-Tex SRP6 works well in powder systems.  From Syensqo we also offer Mirapol Hygiene Boost that imparts long lasting malodour control to fabrics without affecting the primary detergency.

We provide Sodium CMC (Aquasol grades) and MHEC (Tylose grades) for laundry applications as effective anti-redeposition aids.

Optical Brightening Agents

In collaboration with HARKE Addi-Tec, we offer a variety in both liquid and powder forms, as well as standard dyes and pigments. For example, ADDbrite SX powder is a powdered optical brightening agent, while we also have liquid grades suitable for liquid/gel laundry systems.

Built-In Fabric Conditioner

We have cationic conditioning agents that can be formulated into laundry detergents or used as standalone fabric conditioners. From Syensqo we will also offer EasySoft, a microplastic free guar-based softener additive to help support sustainability profiles.

Enzymes

We supply detergent enzymes, available as single types or blended formulations, and can advise on use levels and enzyme types for optimal performance.

Preservatives

As the UK and Ireland agent for Lanxess industrial biocides, we supply a wide range of preservative types needed for detergent liquids. This is backed by our in-house expertise and the support of Lanxess as a leading biocide producer.

Aesthetic Additives

Fragrance is essential in laundry products, and HARKE UK offers a wide selection suitable for both powder and liquid systems. In some liquid systems, opacifiers are also important. We provide a naturally-based opacifier, Miracare Biopacify from Syensqo, which serves as an eco-friendly alternative to synthetic styrene/acrylic systems, specifically for liquid laundry detergents.

Next Steps

With this basket of raw materials and expert formulation knowledge in all laundry detergent formats, including the manufacture of water soluble sachets, HARKE UK can meet all laundry detergent industry needs. 

Get in touch with our team to find out more, request samples, or discuss your next formulation.