Cleaning & Detergent

Cleaning and detergent production is a formulation discipline in which many mutually balancing chemicals meet at precise ratios; the quality of the surfactant, the purity of the alkali and the right choice of builder system translate directly into foam, degreasing and rinsing performance. The viscosity, clarity and shelf life targeted in a product only become repeatable when the active-matter content and impurity profile of the raw material stay consistent batch after batch. At YÜKSEK KİMYA, we supply liquid and powder detergent, dishwash, surface and industrial-hygiene manufacturers from our Kestel/Bursa warehouse with a steady stream of the raw materials that feed every layer of the formulation.

The Surfactant System: Foundation of Every Formula

At the heart of every cleaning product sits the surfactant system. A deliberate combination of anionic, non-ionic and amphoteric surfactants determines oil and soil emulsification, wetting, foam structure and how gentle the detergent is on skin. We cover the underlying chemistry in detail in our guide on what surfactants are.

LABSA and LAS neutralization

The backbone of the anionic system is linear alkylbenzene sulfonic acid. High-active (roughly 96%) LABSA is typically neutralized with caustic soda (NaOH) or soda ash in the formulation and converted into sodium LAS. This neutralization step is a critical control point:

• The reaction is exothermic; without temperature and pH monitoring you get color darkening and hydrolysis losses.
• Target pH is usually held in the 7-8 range; excess alkaline residue undermines any skin-friendly claim.
• The free-oil and free-acid content of the LABSA directly affects the color and foam stability of the resulting LAS.

For that reason, sourcing LABSA with a stable active-matter figure, low free-oil values and a per-batch COA is decisive for formulation consistency.

SLES and non-ionics

To build foam volume and mildness, sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES) is added to the anionic system. SLES is commonly supplied as a 70% paste and as a 28% liquid; when diluting the 70% form it is essential to pass through the gel-phase range in a controlled way, otherwise an unpumpable, viscous mass forms. Non-ionic surfactants (ethoxylates) deliver strong degreasing at low foam, which makes them the preferred choice for industrial and machine-wash products. Amphoteric betaines stabilize foam and reduce irritation in hand-wash and shampoo-type formulations.

Builder, Alkali and Chelating System

Surfactants alone are not enough. Calcium and magnesium ions from water hardness collapse foam and cut washing power. Builders and chelating agents bind these ions so the surfactant can work efficiently. For alkali and builder needs, our base chemicals and alkaline substances category offers a full range.

Phosphate and phosphate-free builders

The classic builder in powder detergents is sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP), which binds water hardness, keeps soil in suspension and improves powder flowability. In formulations that comply with phosphate restrictions, combinations of sodium carbonate (soda ash), sodium silicate and zeolite with citrate are used instead. Soda ash serves both as an alkalinity source and as a filler.

Chelating agents and pH adjustment

Chelating agents such as EDTA and sodium citrate bind heavy-metal ions, delaying the oxidation of fragrance and colorant and extending shelf life. Caustic soda and soda ash bring the pH into the target band; industrial degreasers favor high alkalinity, while glass and surface cleaners prefer a near-neutral profile.

Foam Control, Body and Sensory Properties

More foam is not always better. In automatic dishwashers and CIP (clean-in-place) systems, excess foam causes mechanical problems, and this is where a defoamer (foam suppressant) comes in. Silicone-based and mineral-oil-based defoamers break the foam film to prevent overflow and shorten rinse cycles.

Body management in liquid products rests on viscosity adjustment with sodium chloride (salt), while protection relies on a suitable preservative system. The element that gives a product its identity is scent: a perfume fragrance added at the right dosage with an appropriate solubilizer becomes the signature of the brand; because high dosing risks cloudiness and phase separation, the fragrance solubility profile must be matched to the formula. You can find all of these components and a broader list in our article on cleaning and detergent chemicals.

Component-Role Table

The table below summarizes which component performs which function in a typical cleaning formulation:

Formulation Notes by Product Group

• Liquid hand/laundry detergent: LABSA-LAS + SLES + betaine + fragrance; viscosity via salt, hardness management via citrate.
• Powder detergent: STPP or soda-silicate builder system, non-ionic spraying, agglomerated powder flowability.
• Dishwash (hand/machine): high-foam SLES-heavy for hand wash; low-foam non-ionic + defoamer + alkali for machine.
• Surface and glass: near-neutral pH, low-residue surfactant selection for fast drying.
• Industrial hygiene / CIP: high alkalinity, strong chelation, mandatory foam suppression.

Quality, Documentation and Logistics

Formulation repeatability depends on raw-material consistency. For every batch we supply, we share an MSDS and, on request, a COA, so you can verify active-matter content, pH and impurity values before production begins. Our processes under ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001 and GHP safeguard the traceability of incoming goods and their storage conditions.

On the packaging side, we offer jerrycan, drum, IBC and tanker options for SLES paste, LABSA and liquid components, and we plan shipments from our Kestel/Bursa warehouse with ADR-compliant transport. With active pastes and viscous products, the right packaging and temperature conditions directly affect pumpability in the field and the loss rate. You can review our full raw-material range on our products page.

Request a Quote and Contact

Let us clarify the active-matter content, packaging type and delivery plan your formulation requires. For consistent quality, documented supply and on-time shipment, contact us to request a product list and price quote; you can also reach us by phone at +90 224 326 27 50 and send your MSDS/COA requests.