Laundry detergent: Who, what, where, and how?

Laundry detergent is a product that most of us use daily, but how much do we really know about it? In this blog post, we explore who invented laundry detergent, what it is made of, where it is used, and how it works.

Who invented laundry detergent?

Laundry detergent has existed in some form for thousands of years; in this case, we are talking about natural surfactants—soft soap and soap.
However, the modern laundry detergent commonly found in stores today was invented in the 1930s. It was the German chemist Fritz Gunther who developed synthetic cleaning agents that could replace soft soap and soap during times of water shortages. Before that, people used traditional methods such as soap or soft soap, or cleaning agents such as ash and clay.

However, handcrafted soap and soft soap were used for most purposes until World War II. The war meant that all fat had to be used for food; none could be spared for making soft soap. As a result, the chemical industry grew very strong in synthetic surfactants and almost completely replaced natural surfactants. In 2018, more than 300 million tonnes of chemicals were consumed in the EU, and more than two-thirds of these were chemicals classified as hazardous to health according to Eurostat. More than 20,000 individual chemicals have been registered in the EU under the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) regulation.

What is laundry detergent made of?

A "regular" laundry detergent consists of a combination of different substances that help dissolve dirt and grease from clothes. It contains, among other things, surfactants (which reduce the surface tension of water), enzymes (which break down proteins, fats, and carbohydrates), bleaching agents, and fragrances. Modern laundry detergents are also often fortified with substances intended to protect clothing fibers and preserve colors.

Where is laundry detergent used?

Laundry detergent is naturally used in washing machines, but there are also detergents for hand washing and specific products for delicate materials such as wool and silk. In addition to cleaning clothes, some types of laundry detergent can also be used for other household tasks, such as cleaning carpets or washing cars.

How does laundry detergent work?

Laundry detergent works by binding to dirt particles and grease and lifting them away from clothing fibers during the washing process. The surfactants in the detergent reduce the surface tension of the water, making it easier for the water to penetrate the fabric. The enzymes help break down stains from things such as food and sweat, but also break down natural materials such as wool and silk, while bleaching agents and optical brighteners make clothes whiter, or cause light to be reflected by particles from the detergent so that they appear whiter and fresher.

1. Who invented modern laundry detergent?
Answer: It was the German chemist Fritz Gunther in the 1930s.

2. What are the main ingredients in laundry detergent?
Answer: Surfactants, enzymes, bleaching agents, and fragrances.

3. Where is laundry detergent used most?
Answer: Laundry detergent is primarily used in washing machines, but also for hand washing and other cleaning purposes.

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