Effect of water quality on detergent effectiveness

[danago]

Hey. I am a first year engineering student, and currently working on a design project. Part of the project requires me to investigate the effect of certain water contaminants on the effectiveness of clothes washing detergents. I am dealing mainly with water sources in Cambodia, so i am looking at things such as magnesium, arsenic, E coli etc.

I did high school chemistry so have a basic understanding of soaps and detergents, but i will need to do a bit more reading. Does anyone have any suggestions for sources which may have information about the effect of certain chemicals on the effectiveness of detergents?

Thanks in advance,
Dan.

 

[Achy47]

Hi Dan,

That sounds like a very interesting project! I can definitely provide some suggestions for sources that may have information on the effect of certain chemicals on detergent effectiveness.

Firstly, I would recommend looking into peer-reviewed scientific journals, such as the Journal of Surfactants and Detergents or the Journal of Chemical Education. These journals publish research on the properties and behavior of detergents, and may have articles specifically related to your topic.

Additionally, you can search for books on detergent chemistry or surfactants, which are the active ingredients in detergents. Some recommended titles are "Surfactants: Fundamentals and Applications in the Petroleum Industry" by Laurier L. Schramm and "Handbook of Detergents, Part D: Formulation" by Michael Showell.

Another useful source could be government or non-governmental organizations that focus on water quality and public health in Cambodia. They may have reports or studies on the levels of contaminants in water sources and their effects on detergent effectiveness.

Lastly, don't forget to utilize online resources such as research databases like Google Scholar or PubMed, which can help you find relevant studies and articles on your topic.

I hope these suggestions are helpful and wish you the best of luck with your project! Let me know if you have any further questions.

 

[oswaler]

Hello Dan,

That sounds like a very interesting project! Water quality can definitely have an impact on the effectiveness of detergents. As you mentioned, contaminants such as magnesium, arsenic, and E. coli can affect the performance of detergents.

In terms of sources, I would suggest looking into scientific journals and articles that focus on the chemistry of detergents and their interactions with different water contaminants. You can also try reaching out to experts in the field or conducting experiments to test the effectiveness of detergents under different water conditions.

It may also be helpful to look into the specific types of detergents used in Cambodia and how they are affected by the local water quality. This can give you a better understanding of the factors that may impact detergent effectiveness in that region.

I hope this helps and good luck with your project!