Detergent formulations - Dishwashing products

The main function of household cleaning products is to clean hard surfaces. Their composition varies in complexity. They always contain surfactants to remove dirt, combined with various additives that vary according to the application: acids used as descalers and rust removers, bases which exalt the activity of soaps and dissolve grease by hydrolysis, complexing agents used for their anti-scale action, various adjuvants such as enzymes, bleaching agents, optical brighteners, disinfectants and antiseptics, preservatives, abrasives, solvents, fragrances...

However, no single product gives optimum results on all surfaces for all types of soiling. As a result, there are a large number of household products available on the market. They are formulated to be both effective in terms of performance and convenient to use. Some are designed for more general use, such as all-purpose or universal cleaners, which account for around 29% of the market, while others will give better results on specific surfaces and/or for precise soiling; these account for around 65% of the market.

Manufacturers have become accustomed to referring to the surfaces affected by household cleaning products as "hard surfaces", as opposed to the suppleness of skin or textiles. These surfaces are highly varied, and include floors, walls, window panes and household appliances. They are made of various materials such as glass (windows), fiberglass (shower cubicles), ceramic (floors, cooking surfaces), metal (appliances, faucets), marble (floors), painted surfaces (ceilings, walls), acrylic (bathtubs), leather (furniture), plastic, porcelain (sinks), rubber (floor coverings), wood (furniture, floors), paper (wall coverings)... (table 1 ).