⚪ Phosphate-Free White Laundry Powders: Overview and Properties
🔹 Overview
Phosphate-free white laundry powders are eco-friendly detergent formulations developed to provide powerful cleaning and whitening performance without using traditional phosphates such as STPP (sodium tripolyphosphate).
Instead, these formulations use zeolites, sodium citrate, and polymeric builders to soften water and enhance detergent efficiency.
They are designed for household and institutional laundry applications, ensuring brilliant whiteness, soil removal, and environmental compliance.
⚗️ Chemical Composition
Typical phosphate-free white laundry powder formulations include:
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Anionic surfactants: LAS (Linear Alkylbenzene Sulfonate), α-olefin sulfonates for soil and grease removal
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Nonionic surfactants: Alcohol ethoxylates for oily stain dispersion
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Builders: Zeolite A, sodium carbonate, sodium silicate, and sodium citrate (phosphate alternatives)
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Oxygen bleach system: Sodium percarbonate + TAED activator for low-temperature whitening
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Optical brighteners: Stilbene derivatives to enhance fabric brightness
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Anti-redeposition agents: CMC, acrylic copolymers
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Enzymes: Protease and amylase for stain degradation
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Fragrance and stabilizers: Improve consumer perception and product shelf life
⚙️ Physical and Technical Properties
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Appearance: Fine white free-flowing powder
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Bulk Density: 0.6 – 0.9 g/cm³
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Moisture Content: ≤ 5 %
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pH (1 % solution): 9 – 11 (alkaline)
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Active Matter Content: 20 – 35 %
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Foam Level: Medium (machine-compatible)
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Washing Temperature Range: 30 °C – 90 °C
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Bleaching System: Oxygen-based, phosphate-free
🔹 Performance Characteristics
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Provides strong stain removal and whitening without phosphates
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Maintains fabric whiteness through effective oxygen-bleach cleaning
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Environmentally friendly — biodegradable and water-safe
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Prevents grey deposits and mineral scaling on fabrics
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Compatible with enzymes, surfactants, and optical brighteners
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Meets international regulations for phosphate-free detergents
🔹 Applications
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Household laundry powders for white fabrics
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Eco-friendly and sustainable detergent lines
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Automatic and semi-automatic washing machines
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Institutional laundries complying with phosphate-free standards
⚠️ Storage and Handling
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Store in a cool, dry, and ventilated area
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Keep away from moisture and acids
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Shelf life: typically 24 months under proper storage conditions
💡 Summary
Phosphate-free white laundry powders offer effective whitening and cleaning performance using environmentally responsible builder systems such as zeolites and citrates.
Their balanced blend of oxygen bleach, enzymes, and brighteners ensures deep cleaning, whiteness retention, and ecological safety, making them ideal for modern detergent formulations and global green standards.
