Detergents and Cleaning Products

Peter Smallwood Ph.D.

Course description

Like other industries, the cleaning products industry has had to adapt to the changes forced on it by the COVID-19 pandemic. The sector has a unique role in ensuring society remains clean, healthy, and free from infections. Thus, our industry has suffered less than most. We will review how the industry has developed to its present status and how it is changing to meet these new challenges.

Consumers are becoming increasingly concerned about the sustainability of the substances they use, and this includes their cleaning products. Thus, we need to develop products based on plant-based ingredients, which are used in more environmentally friendly cleaning processes.

Companies must use more sustainable technologies and develop environmentally friendly ingredients or risk being left behind by their more innovative competitors. Meanwhile, governments are imposing increasingly strict regulations on the composition of cleaning products. But so far, these do not include sustainability criteria. NGOs have introduced strict sustainability criteria to allow products to display their “Green Labels”.

This intensive course will provide a broad, firm foundation in all aspects of the technology of cleaning products. It is designed to encourage new thinking that will challenge current concepts. Participants will be able to return to their workplace with new ideas to implement.

The training will commence with a discussion of the mechanisms of cleaning and foaming and will include a review of the Global Cleaning Products Industry that will provide attendees with a firm foundation for the remainder of the course. Lectures will include topics such as the ingredients in cleaning products: what they are, what they do, how they work, and issues involved with their use.

The composition (formulation) of major types of cleaning products such as laundry granules, liquids, tablets and fabric softeners, dishwashing products, surface cleaners, disinfectants, and personal care products such as soaps, shampoos, shower gels, etc. (but not cosmetics) will be discussed.

Legislative aspects, environmental and sustainability issues, the use of green (natural) ingredients, and future trends in cleaning products will also be addressed. The course will include opportunities for open interaction. Participants, who should already have a basic scientific understanding, are encouraged to bring their questions to the course for review and discussion.

Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:

• Explain the technology behind the action of cleaning products
• Describe the major ingredients used in cleaning products how they are sourced, formulated and how they work
• Describe how cleaning products and disinfectants are designed to destroy infections
• Summarize the impact that cleaning products have on our environment
• Explain how the industry has adapted to past environmental issues and the changes it will need to make in the future to meet the environmental and sustainability demands placed on it by society
• List the Legislative issues that affect the industry
• Outline how future technology might impact the industry