Modern detergents derived from petro-chemical products contain many substances.
The most widely used detergents are:
In detergents, the two main ingredients, active oxygen and chlorine, are used as bleaching agents. The most commonly used materials in detergent compositions as active oxygen sources are sodium perborate and sodium percarbonate. The main source of chlorine is sodium hypochlorite.
Borax compounds have been used as natural cleaning agents since the 1800’s. Borax products are developed by applying physical processes to minerals extracted from the earth – the minerals do not have to undergo any chemical changes. Borax is a natural compound formed of sodium, water, oxygen, and boron. Borates have an important place in the cleaning sector due to their properties that help facilitate stain removal and bleaching, stabilizing enzymes, alkali buffering, water softening, and improving surfactant performance. Borax provides a natural substitute to petroleum derivatives which are harmful to human and environmental health.
Borates are used in many different forms of laundry detergents, household or industrial type cleaners and personal care products.
The advantages borates and perborates have on detergents include: