Detergent Foam

The most common surfactants in shampoos, etc., are sodium lauryl sulfate, and ammonium lauryl sulfate.

Offered by Jan.

Although this stuff is maligned by the health industry, here is what it does: Sodium laureth sulfate or sodium lauryl sulfate is a common ingredient in shampoos. It's inexpensive and a small amount gives a high level of foam. So, that could be the "common household product" to create a foam. Next, I checked out ingredients on washing detergents and carpet cleaners to try and figure out what the "stain lifting agent" would be that was referred to in the article. I was rather amazed that the only statement under the ingredients list was "contains anionic and nonionic surfactants." And checking that further I found.

Detergents

Detergent (cleaning or washing products) commonly found in households, contain synthetic, organic surface active agents called surfactants, which derived from petroleum product precursors. They have the common property of lowering the surface tensions of water thus allowing dirts or grease adhered to various articles to be washed off. In general these surfactants are classified as Anionic, Cationic, and Non-ionic.

Anionic Surfactants

Anionic surfactants are used as active ingredients in products like hair shampoo, hand dish washing liquids and washing powders and flakes. Common anionic detergent products available locally are Dynamo, Fab, UIC, Axe, and Kao. Anionic surfactant may cause skin irritation and other skin ailments through the removal of natural oils especially to those who are sensitive. When ingested it may cause nausea, diarrhea, intestinal distension and vomiting. However toxicity of such substances is relatively low and no fatalities from ingestion have been reported.

 

Non-Ionic Surfactants

Non-ionic surfactants are generally used together with anionic surfactants as active ingredients in products like hair shampoo, hand dish washing liquids and washing powders and flakes. Non-ionic surfactants may cause skin irritation and other skin ailments through the removal of natural oils especially to those who are sensitive. When ingested it may cause nausea, diarrhea, intestinal distension and vomiting. However non-ionic surfactants are generally regarded as non toxic and no fatalities from ingestion have been reported.

 

Cationic Surfactants

Cationic surfactants are effective anti-bacteria agents. Thus these are generally employed as disinfectants and antiseptic agents and used in germicide and sanitizer products but seldom as cleansers per se. Cationic surfactants are toxic substances and may cause corrosive burns of the mouth and throat if ingested. Other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dermal necrosis, lung complication, hypotension have also been reported. Exposure to the eye may cause serious corneal damage. Seek medical treatment immediately on any suspected case of poisoning.

 

Surfactants

Alcohol Ether Sulfates, Alcohol Sulfates, Alkanolamides, Alkyl Sulfonates, Amine Oxides, Amphoteric Surfactants, Anionic Surfactants, Betaine Derivatives, Cationic Surfactants, Disulfonates, Dodecylbenzene Sulfonic Acid, Ethoxylated Alcohols, Ethoxylated Alkyl Phenols, Ethoxylated Fatty Acids, Glycerol Esters Hydrotropes, Lauryl Sulfates, Mono and Diglycerides, Non-ionic Surfactants, Phosphate Esters, Quaternary Surfactants, Sorbitan Derivatives

Noting that Lauryl Sulfates are on the list .. do you suppose we could shampoo anthrax to death?

Offered by Sue.