Surfactants, Builders and Solvents

What it is

A cleaner works by wetting the surface, loosening soil, holding it in the water and letting it rinse away. Three ingredient classes do most of that work.

• Surfactants (surface active agents) lower the surface tension of water so it wets and penetrates soil. Their molecules have a water-loving end and an oil-loving end, so they lift oils and hold them in suspension.
• Builders improve how surfactants work. They tie up hardness minerals, add alkalinity and help keep soil from redepositing.
• Solvents dissolve soils that water cannot, such as grease, ink, adhesive and some finishes.

Products also contain water, fragrance, dye, preservatives, corrosion inhibitors and sometimes enzymes.

How to read it

Look at Section 3 of the SDS for hazardous ingredients and the label or the maker's ingredient disclosure for the rest. Many states require ingredient disclosure for cleaning products.

Ingredient classes

Key points

• Anionic and cationic surfactants can react with each other. Mixing products can reduce cleaning or disinfection.
• Builders matter most in hard water. See Water Hardness and Cleaning Performance.
• Solvents raise VOC content. See VOC Limits for Cleaning Products.
• Alkaline builders can damage finishes, aluminum and some stone.
• Low-foam formulas are used in auto-scrubbers and extractors.

Common mistakes

• Adding extra concentrate to "boost" cleaning. Excess surfactant leaves sticky residue.
• Using a high-solvent degreaser on floor finish or plastics.
• Mixing a quat disinfectant with an anionic cleaner.
• Ignoring the SDS when switching products.

Governing standards: OSHA Hazard Communication (29 CFR 1910.1200) for SDS content; the product maker's SDS and label.

Reference only. Verify against the current governing code or standard, the manufacturer's data and the project documents before use. Apps for Distributors disclaims liability arising from reliance on this reference.