Where can I learn about surfactants in detergents and on clothing in depth please?

Basically I have some merino wool stuff to clean but most people who have read a little about merino wool knows that you cant use different enzymes on them and most detergents on the planet have enzymes.

So that basically made me go search around for detergents thst dont have enzymes and there's quite a few but there is two problems : Some of them are unusually expensive , like the eucalan brand scentless one is 4 litres for 90 dollars and soak's scentless brand's is 96 dollars for 2.25 litres . And then the second problem is that you have others like eco -max brand scentless, hypoallergenic detergent and other brands that have so few surfactants and such a tiny concentration of surfactants that the people who use them t say that it is practically water.

So now my questions are how can someone know if a detergent is practically water based on the surfactants in it and the concentration of surfactants? And what would be the cheapest brands of

  1. scentless non-wool wash detergent with surfacfanrs that arent BS

  2. and scentless wool wash detergent with surfactants that arent BS (Ive heard that baby shamppoo is an alternative but is it a long term alternative? It trully has nothing in it that can destroy certain fabrics?? Is it a cheaper alternative?)

If I have to make this myself cause itll be cheaper that way? I probably will. Or should I just use a trillion litres every time I use that eco-max brand stuff?

ALSO I dont buy anything from companies complicit in the Palestinian Genocide. So no tide brand scentless

24 points · 13 comments · view on lemmy.world

13 Comments

ryannathans@aussie.zone · 5 pts · 1d

Just use a wool wash detergent, surfactants just mix oils and water. If it's not clean enough either run it again or then consider other detergents. Check the MSDS for rough ratios and types of surfactants but don't expect trade secrets.

Making your own is a great way to spend more, when you destroy your premium merino products.

Junkers_Klunker@feddit.dk · 4 pts · 20h

I just use off-brand wool soap for skin touching clothing. For jackets and such I have small bottle of aclima wool shampoo.

Elextra@literature.cafe · 3 pts · 1d (3 replies)

I've always used Dr. Bonner's for all my travel needs including body wash and laundry detergent. You just have to make sure you dilute it.

UnequalExchange@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 1d (2 replies)

The have a scentless version?

Elextra@literature.cafe · 2 pts · 1d (1 reply)

In the same link if you choose the drop down to change scent there's a scentless version.

Not sure if it meets all your requirements. Just sharing its what I use then I air dry everything

UnequalExchange@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 1d

Ahh I see thanks

HubertManne@piefed.social · 2 pts · 1d

I have to say I just laundered mine in the standard stuff we bought. seemed to come out all right.

proudblond@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 1d (3 replies)

Okay sorry this is gonna come off as snarky but, how much merino wool stuff are we talking? Like one sweater? A couple? How much detergent do you really need? Wool also doesn’t need washing constantly, not like “regular” clothes like cotton or polyester. It has some of its own antimicrobial qualities as far as I know. I’m a knitter, I work primarily with merino and honestly I don’t wash my stuff all that often. (I don’t like knitting socks though; maybe they’d need it more often.) A small bottle of soak lasts me a loooong time.

UnequalExchange@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 1d

I have 4 wool long johns and 4 pairs of merino wool socks and 4 base layer tops

UnequalExchange@lemmy.world · 0 pts · 1d (1 reply)

Also how often should I be cleaning my wool things

proudblond@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 16h

Wool knitters generally wash their sweaters only when they’re truly dirty. Otherwise they tend to air them out and rotate. Here is a super basic set of suggestions; I found it just by searching “caring for wool sweaters.” I know there’s probably a sense that base layers and socks which are very close to the skin (and near areas that tend to get smelly) might need more frequent washing, but since you have enough sets to rotate, I would try rotating and airing out first to see if they really hold on to the stink as much as one might fear. If they’re really wool, I think they’ll work themselves out. And it’s worth noting that wet wool has its own funky smell that detergent isn’t going to cover, so don’t freak out if it smells while washing when you do resort to it.

YiddishMcSquidish@lemmy.today · 1 pts · 1d

I think you can check out the surfactants they use in lava lamps. I'm almost certain they are enzyme free.

sad_detective_man@sopuli.xyz · 0 pts · 1d
[ removed ]
Einskjaldi@lemmy.world · -2 pts · 1d

Behold, a free book that will give you actual answers. Everyone here is an idiot and will give you wrong advice. Read this instead.

https://openstax.org/books/chemistry-2e/pages/2-6-ionic-and-molecular-compounds