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FloorWhat Are Surfactants and How They Clean
- by Brodie Cook
A surfactant is a surface active agent. It has a hydrophilic head that likes water and a hydrophobic tail that avoids water. This structure lets the molecule sit between water and oil. When it does that, it helps water spread and lift dirt. It also lowers the surface tension of water, so the liquid can reach areas that normally resist wetting.
Surfactants appear in soaps, shampoos, dishwashing liquids, detergents, disinfectants, and skin care. They lift grease, dissolve food soils, and suspend dirt so it rinses away. Almost every cleaning product relies on this simple molecular behaviour.
Why Surfactants Matter in Daily Cleaning
Water alone struggles with grease. It beads on the surface and does not move through oil. Surfactants change this. They push water into food residue and dried films. They also stop dirt from sticking back to plates and glasses as you rinse.
Some surfactants clean fast but can feel harsh. They may leave a squeaky or dry feel on hands and can leave a film on dishes when overused. Mild surfactants feel cleaner and lighter. They also rinse away with less effort. This balance shapes the experience you have when washing dishes or using personal care products.
How Surfactants Work
The Hydrophilic Head and Hydrophobic Tail
A surfactant works because the head and tail behave differently. The head pulls toward water. The tail pushes away from water and moves toward oils and fats. This gives the molecule its cleaning power.
How Surfactants Reduce Surface Tension
Water has strong cohesive forces. These forces make the surface tight. A surfactant breaks these forces. When the molecules spread across the surface, the water becomes easier to move. It wets surfaces that were hard to wet before.
What Micelles Are and Why They Matter
When enough surfactants gather in water, they form small balls called micelles. The hydrophobic tails face inward and trap grease in the centre. The hydrophilic heads face outwards and stay in the water. This structure holds dirt in suspension so it rinses away instead of sticking to the plate.
What Surfactants Do in Dishwashing
- lift grease
- break down dried food
- keep dirt suspended
- help water spread across the plate
- help enzymes reach food soils
Types of Surfactants
Surfactants appear in many cleaning products. Their charge affects how they behave.
Anionic Surfactants
These carry a negative charge. They create strong foam and break apart grease fast. They show up in soaps, shampoos, dishwashing liquids, and laundry detergents. Examples include sodium lauryl sulfate and alpha olefin sulfonates.
Cationic Surfactants
These carry a positive charge. They cling to surfaces and help with conditioning. They appear in hair conditioners, fabric softeners, and antimicrobial cleaners. Benzalkonium chloride is one example.
Nonionic Surfactants
These have no charge. They stay stable in hard water and clean gently. Lauryl glucoside and decyl glucoside are common examples.
Amphoteric Surfactants
These change behaviour depending on pH. They are gentle and often used in products for sensitive skin. Cocamidopropyl betaine is a typical example.
Strong Surfactants Found in Many Detergents
Some surfactants have a strong cleaning action. They work fast but can feel harsh. They can also leave a film on plates when used at high levels.
Why SLS and SLES Are Harsh (chemical nasties)
Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulfate (SLES) both clean aggressively. They break oils and fats quickly, but also pull away natural oils from the skin. This can leave a dry or tight feel after washing dishes. When used in excess, they create a clingy foam that takes longer to rinse.
The Problem With Phosphates
Some old-style liquid detergents use phosphates to boost cleaning strength. Phosphates soften water but cause algae blooms in waterways. This reduces oxygen and affects aquatic life. Many regions now limit phosphate use. Lucent Globe avoids phosphates for this reason.
Old-Style vs Mild Surfactants
| Feature | SLS, SLES, LAS | Lauryl Glucoside, Saponins, Sodium Coco Sulphate |
|---|---|---|
| Cleaning strength | Very strong | Balanced and steady |
| Skin feel | Can feel dry | Gentler on hands |
| Foam | Large and sticky | Light and easy to rinse |
| Rinse quality | May leave film | Rinses clean |
| Environmental load | Higher with phosphates | Lower and plant-derived |
| Use case | Liquid and gel detergents | Detergent sheets and mild cleaners |
Surfactants and Cleaning Ingredients Lucent Globe Uses
Lucent Globe uses mild, plant-derived surfactants and supporting ingredients that help with stubborn food soils.
Mild Surfactants We Use
- Sodium coco sulphate
- Lauryl glucoside
- Saponins
Supporting Ingredients That Boost Cleaning
- Sodium citrate softens water so surfactants work better.
- Sodium bicarbonate helps with odours and dried food.
- Glycerin helps sheets dissolve cleanly.
- Enzymes break down starch, protein, and dried residue.
- Polyvinyl alcohol dissolves in hot or cold water.
See the full list of our ingredients of each product
Surfactants in Dishwashing Detergent Sheets
Our dishwashing detergent sheets give a different cleaning experience. The sheet dissolves in hot or cold water and releases surfactants in a controlled way. This helps with dosing and reduces the chance of residue. The super concentrated formula spreads fast and makes rinsing easier. The result is a clean plate with less chemical load.
How Surfactants Compare Across Formats
| Feature | Liquid detergents | Powder detergents | Detergent sheets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main surfactants | Strong anionic surfactants like SLS, SLES, LAS | Strong anionic surfactants plus builders and fillers | Mild surfactants plus enzymes |
| Foam | High foam | Medium foam | Light, quick-breaking foam |
| Cold-water performance | Works, but can feel heavy | Can clump or leave grains in cold water | Designed to dissolve in hot or cold water |
| Rinse and residue | Can leave film if you over-pour | Can leave haze or powder spots | No Residue clear rinse |
| Dosing control | Easy to over-pour from bottle | Scoop sizes vary and can be hard to judge | Exact dose per sheet |
| Chemical load per wash | Higher per wash | Higher per wash | No nasties |
| Best suited for | Very greasy loads and old-school habits | Heavier soils in warm or hot cycles | Daily cleaning and low-chemical households |
FAQs About Surfactants
Why do some surfactants work better in hard water than others?
Hard water has minerals like calcium and magnesium that stick to some surfactants. When this happens, the surfactant cannot clean as well, and you may see cloudy marks on glasses and plates. Mild nonionic surfactants do not react with these minerals. Water softeners like sodium citrate also help by keeping the minerals out of the way. This gives a steadier clean in homes with mineral-rich tap water.
What happens if you use too much surfactant in a wash?
Hard water has minerals like calcium and magnesium that attach to strong anionic surfactants. When this happens, the cleaning drops and glasses can dry with cloudy marks. Mild nonionic surfactants like lauryl glucoside used in our sheets avoid this problem because they do not react with these minerals. Water softeners, such as sodium citrate, also keep the minerals suspended. This gives a more consistent clean in homes with mineral-rich tap water.
Why do some detergents feel slippery when rinsing?
A slippery feel means the surfactant is still sitting on the plate. Some formulas cling on purpose, but this can slow the rinse and leave a coating when it dries. If the slip stays after rinsing, it often means too much product or a strong anionic surfactant. Detergent sheets feel lighter because the dose is controlled and the surfactants release in a cleaner way.
