Industrial detergents are products used for washing, degreasing and separating metal or plastic parts. They are made up of different ingredients, depending on the type of detergent, the type of material and the type of soil to be removed. Here are some examples of ingredients that can be found in industrial detergents:
- **surfactants** or surfactants: they loosen the fabric and increase its wetting capacity;
- **Enzymes**: they are effective against different tasks;
- **Whitening agents**: they eliminate dyes and oxidizable dirt;
- **Perfumes**: they mask unpleasant odors;
- **Allergenic substances**: they can cause skin or respiratory reactions in certain people;
- **Preservatives**: they prevent the development of micro-organisms in detergents.
Choose your ecological laundry detergent
The advantages of industrial detergents
Industrial detergents have many advantages for professionals who need to wash heavily soiled laundry or clean technical parts. They offer optimal washing performance, eliminating greases, oils, resins, pigments, dust, etc. They also help preserve the quality and lifespan of textiles and materials, avoiding discoloration, deformation, corrosion, etc. They are suitable for industrial washing machines, which operate at high temperature, high pressure or ultrasonics. They are economical because they require little dosing and rinsing. They are also environmentally friendly, because they are biodegradable and do not contain phosphates, chlorine or solvents.
The disadvantages of industrial detergents
Industrial detergents are not without their drawbacks, which must be known and mastered to use them correctly. They can be dangerous for the health of users, because they are irritating, allergenic or toxic. They can cause burning, redness, itching, rashes, eye irritation, respiratory problems, etc. You must therefore follow safety instructions, such as wearing gloves, glasses and a mask, and washing your hands after each handling. They may also be incompatible with certain types of textiles or materials, which they may damage or discolor. It is therefore necessary to check the composition of the detergents and the nature of the parts to be washed, and to carry out a preliminary test on a hidden part. Finally, they can pollute water and soil if they are released without treatment. It is therefore necessary to respect the regulations in force, and to use filtration or wastewater recycling systems.
Types of industrial detergents
There are different types of industrial detergents, depending on the form, pH, composition and application. We can distinguish :
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Powdered detergents, which are solid and dissolve in water. They are generally more concentrated, more effective and more economical than liquid detergents. They are suitable for high temperature washing and hard water. However, they can leave residue on laundry or items, and be less stable over time.
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Liquid detergents, which are fluid and ready to use. They are generally gentler, more versatile and more practical than powder detergents. They are suitable for washing at low temperatures and soft water. However, they can be less efficient, more expensive and more polluting than powder detergents.
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Detergent tablets, which are compact and measured. They are generally simpler, more hygienic and more ecological than powder or liquid detergents. They are suitable for short washes and small loads. However, they may be less suitable, more expensive and more difficult to dissolve than powder or liquid detergents.
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Neutral detergents, which have a pH close to 7. They are generally gentler, more respectful and more universal than alkaline or acid detergents. They are suitable for textiles and delicate materials, which cannot withstand pH variations. However, they may be less effective, more limited and more sensitive to microorganisms than alkaline or acid detergents.
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Alkaline detergents, which have a pH greater than 7. They are generally more powerful, more degreasing and more whitening than neutral or acidic detergents. They are suitable for textiles and resistant materials, which are heavily soiled by grease or dyes. However, they can be more aggressive, more corrosive and more irritating than neutral or acidic detergents.
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Acidic detergents, which have a pH lower than 7. They are generally more specific, more descaling and more disinfectant than neutral or alkaline detergents. They are suitable for textiles and sensitive materials, which are scaled or contaminated by bacteria or fungi. However, they can be more dangerous, more unstable and more odorous than neutral or alkaline detergents.
Advice for choosing and using industrial detergents
To choose and use industrial detergents, several criteria must be taken into account, such as the type of detergent, the type of textile or material, the type of soiling, the type of machine, the type of water, the type of dosage. , etc. Here are some tips to help you:
- Choose the type of detergent based on the type of textile or material to be washed, checking compatibility and resistance. Prefer neutral detergents for delicate textiles and materials, alkaline detergents for resistant textiles and materials, and acidic detergents for sensitive textiles and materials.
- Choose the type of detergent according to the type of soil to be removed, checking the nature and intensity. Prefer powder detergents for greasy or colored stains, liquid detergents for light or organic stains, and detergent tablets for common or moderate stains.
- Choose the type of detergent based on the type of machine to use, checking the capacity and operating mode. Prefer powder detergents for large capacity or high temperature machines, liquid detergents for small capacity or low temperature machines, and detergent tablets for medium load or variable temperature machines.
- Choose the type of detergent based on the type of water to be used, checking hardness and quality. Prefer powder detergents for hard or hard water, liquid detergents for soft or pure water, and detergent tablets for medium or treated water.
- Choose the type of detergent based on the type of dosage to be carried out, checking the quantity and frequency. Prefer powder detergents for large or occasional dosages, liquid detergents for small or regular dosages, and detergent tablets for precise or occasional dosages.