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Laundry Detergent Alternatives - A Technical Review

DETERGENT "ALTERNATIVES" - THE FACTS

Claim: The smaller dissociated water "molecules" will penetrate fabric similar to the way in which detergent does, resulting in cleaner clothes.

Fact: Let's assume that the detergent "alternative" can somehow produce a large number of dissociated water "molecules" (either broken water molecule clusters or OH- ions) in a washer without melting it. It is then claimed that these smaller wa ter "molecules" will penetrate fibers better than water, and use their negative charge to clean clothes. This is patently false.

First, regular water molecules, clusters of water molecules and OH- ions are all microscopically small compared to clothing fibers. Second, all penetrate fibers equally well. Claiming that the ions will penetrate better than water molecules, or that "free" molecules will penetrate fibers better than clusters because they are smaller is like claiming that a house fly will have an easier time than a horse fly getting through an open window. Yes, the house fly is a little smaller than the horse fl y, but both are plenty small enough.

Second, neither water nor OH- ions are effective at removing most of the stains and soils that detergents are designed to remove, as discussed earlier.

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Introduction Claims Cleaning Process Facts Legal Activities Conclusion References