I have also posted a similar thread on THS, but I wanted the opinions of the appliance guys (and gals) too.
After experimenting with just about every laundry detergent I can get my hands on (specifically for my FL), I have decided to create my own Superdetergent. Now keep in mind that I am NO CHEMIST, so I will just be "souping up" an existing detergent.
Since I have heard so many good things about Sears Ultra Plus HE detergent (I even have a bucket - just haven't used it much), I have decided to use that as the foundation of my mixture. To the Sears Ultra Plus, I will be adding STPP (as many on THS do), but I also want to add a bleaching agent to get truly sparkling whites.
As far as bleaching agents are concerned, I am trying to decide if I want to use Sodium Perborate or Sodium Percarbonate. I am sick and tired of the "watered-down" formulations of Oxiclean and Clorox and the mirad of other "oxy bleaches" on the market today, so I am going to purchase the "full-strength" products directly from the Chemistry Store.
I have done some research, and here's what I can tell so far. All of the Oxygen Bleaches on the market today (with the possible exception of Ecover) use Sodium Percarbonate. Most of the European laundry deterents on the market today use Sodium Perborate. From what I have read, they are both very good bleaching agents but have their own pros and cons.
Sodium Perborate, which has been used in European Washing Powders for years, is more stable but requires high temperatures (over 60*C or 140*F) to really activate and begin to work. According to literature I've read, the higher the temperature, the better the bleaching action. Most European detergent manufacturers have countered this by adding a bleach activator (TAED) to their formulations to allow them to work better in shorter washes and at lower temperatures.
Sodium Percarbonate, which is the main ingredient found in Oxiclean and the others, works very well at lower temperatures but is less stable then Perborate.
Based on this information, I am considering using the Sodium Perborate. I like this idea because once I create my mixture, I can use it on every load and not have to worry as much about fading on colors (specifically darks). I normally wash my whites somewhere between 140*F - 200*F in my Danby, so I should get excellent bleaching action with the Perborate without using a bleach-activator. When I wash colors at around 85*F, I shouldn't have to worry so much about fading as the Perborate won't really activate until at least 140*F. This will certainly add to the convenience factor.
Has anyone had any experience with Perborate and stronger versions of Percarbonate (other than the diluted Oxiclean)before? Has anyone here tested to see which whitens better?
Also, does anyone have any suggestions as to concentrations of STPP AND Perborate/Percarbonate to use in my new formulation? I think some on THS use a 3:1 ratio of detergent to STPP. I was thinking maybe a 3:1:1 ratio of detergent-to STPP-to Perborate might be a good place to start.
Any suggestions/input would be appreciated!
Bryan
After experimenting with just about every laundry detergent I can get my hands on (specifically for my FL), I have decided to create my own Superdetergent. Now keep in mind that I am NO CHEMIST, so I will just be "souping up" an existing detergent.
Since I have heard so many good things about Sears Ultra Plus HE detergent (I even have a bucket - just haven't used it much), I have decided to use that as the foundation of my mixture. To the Sears Ultra Plus, I will be adding STPP (as many on THS do), but I also want to add a bleaching agent to get truly sparkling whites.
As far as bleaching agents are concerned, I am trying to decide if I want to use Sodium Perborate or Sodium Percarbonate. I am sick and tired of the "watered-down" formulations of Oxiclean and Clorox and the mirad of other "oxy bleaches" on the market today, so I am going to purchase the "full-strength" products directly from the Chemistry Store.
I have done some research, and here's what I can tell so far. All of the Oxygen Bleaches on the market today (with the possible exception of Ecover) use Sodium Percarbonate. Most of the European laundry deterents on the market today use Sodium Perborate. From what I have read, they are both very good bleaching agents but have their own pros and cons.
Sodium Perborate, which has been used in European Washing Powders for years, is more stable but requires high temperatures (over 60*C or 140*F) to really activate and begin to work. According to literature I've read, the higher the temperature, the better the bleaching action. Most European detergent manufacturers have countered this by adding a bleach activator (TAED) to their formulations to allow them to work better in shorter washes and at lower temperatures.
Sodium Percarbonate, which is the main ingredient found in Oxiclean and the others, works very well at lower temperatures but is less stable then Perborate.
Based on this information, I am considering using the Sodium Perborate. I like this idea because once I create my mixture, I can use it on every load and not have to worry as much about fading on colors (specifically darks). I normally wash my whites somewhere between 140*F - 200*F in my Danby, so I should get excellent bleaching action with the Perborate without using a bleach-activator. When I wash colors at around 85*F, I shouldn't have to worry so much about fading as the Perborate won't really activate until at least 140*F. This will certainly add to the convenience factor.
Has anyone had any experience with Perborate and stronger versions of Percarbonate (other than the diluted Oxiclean)before? Has anyone here tested to see which whitens better?
Also, does anyone have any suggestions as to concentrations of STPP AND Perborate/Percarbonate to use in my new formulation? I think some on THS use a 3:1 ratio of detergent to STPP. I was thinking maybe a 3:1:1 ratio of detergent-to STPP-to Perborate might be a good place to start.
Any suggestions/input would be appreciated!
Bryan
), you stop fire and let cold all for some minutes, then flow your compost in any shaping form you want and the foolowing day you get your just-for-use bar of soap!
