Mild detergent - products

Jan 11, 2021 Last reply: 5 years ago 14 Replies

Time and again the cleaning/washing instructions are "use a mild detergent".



It's hard enough to work out what products are detergents let alone mild.



So without bothering with all the chemistry etc can someone provide some examples of what I should buy at the supermarket which is "a mild detergent" or if Fairy Liquid classifies then it's already in the kitchen cupboard alongside Bicarb of Soda, Soda crystals and bars of washing soap.



A mild detergent is typically a hand dish washing soap that only contains surfactants that dissolve dirt and grease as opposed to a soap that also contains builders, which would be classified as a moderately strong detergent.

Copied from gogle (sic)

Jesus, are they taking the poor men now and making soap of them? Begorrah!

Yes, I've just about learnt to use "gogle". Is Fairy Liquid a typical hand dish washing soap ONLY containing surfacants? It doesn't say on its label.

Just use a lot less per wash than the amount stated on bottle/box.

For a washing machine a product such as fairy liquid is inappropriate - it will suds up too much and you will spend the rest of your life trying to get rid of the white foam.

I've always understood you can make soap and glue from fat and bone. But my bottle of Fairy Liquid does not mention leprechauns on the label.

It would help to have more context - e.g. instructions for clothing? car bodywork? a baby? E.g. Persil Silk & Wool and the like are mild detergents for clothing but likely to raise a few eyebrows at least if used on your 6 week old baby while, on the other hand, being unlikely to keep a shine on your jam jar.

Detergents are not soaps

Most of them contain something to make them less runny. And feel slippery. And scent and a colour. Pure detergent is like water. Teepol is an example.

I cannot see what a 'mild' detergent is. Detergent is detergent. It's as stupid as 'a rolling boil cooks stuff quicker'. No it doesn't. Its boiling at 100C or it isn't boiling at all.

Laundry detergents have other crap in them - softeners and possibly bleaches

But it has a picture of a baby!

Legend has it that they did it in Auschwitz and lampshades.

I was recommended by a hospital to use Fairy Liquid for washing some equipment they supplied. They said it's much better than hand soap, as that contains fats and perfumes. I had been using hand soap, and I can confirm that Fairy Liquid is miles better.

Bio-D or Ecover. Not detergents (detergents tend to be as noted down thread). B-D and Ec. liquids are soaps made from coconut oil and the pH isn't too far from neutral, being slightly acidic. In the early '90s, Ecover w/u liquid (same base as the laundry liquid) said on the H&S sheet under ingestion something like 'don't drink too much of it at once. It was about that time that other such liquids had Bitrex added and warned abut rinsing well.

Yes no wonder they think its anti bacteriological. Was not pigs urine used in some washing up liquids?

Brian

Fairy is quite thick so has more body than some you can get, so maybe its body builders? I guess being sensible here we need to know what the person meant by builders!. Brian

Thanks. I too have some equipment that specifies to wash in mild detergent and as this thread proves finding what product is a mild detergent is somewhat beyond uk.d-i-y, and indeed manufacturers' labels. I had been using Fairy Liquid but then tried a mild soap (well I think it is mild soap - Wilco brand). I'll now revert to your hospital recommendation.

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