DIGOS CITY NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

QUARTER 3 (WEEK 7)
SHS-Physical Science

Name: ____________________________ Grade & Section: _______________ Date: ___________

Content: HOUSEHOLD CHEMICALS AND PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS

Learning Competency & Code:
1. From product labels, identify the active ingredient(s) of cleaning products used at home (S11/12PS-IIIi-j-
31)
2. Give the use of other ingredients in cleaning agents (S11/12PS-IIIi-j-32)
Objective/s:
At the end of the lesson, the learners shall be able to:
1. Identify active and major ingredients in cleaning and personal care products
2. Explain the mode of action and precautionary measures indicated in various cleaning products and
cosmetics
Concept/Short Input:
Household cleaning products play an essential role to personal and public health. With their ability to loosen
and remove soil from a surface, household cleaning products help in achieving a good personal hygiene, in reducing
the presence of germs, which cause infectious diseases and extend the useful life of household products and make our
homes and workplaces more healthy and pleasant.

Classification by product use:

1. General purpose cleaners. Surface cleaners labeled as multi-purpose, or clearly intended for use in variety of
application in the home.
2. Bathroom cleaners. Cleaners intended primarily for use on bathroom surfaces.
3. Disinfectants. Products which claim to disinfect surfaces. To disinfect means to kill disease causing bacteria.
4. Spot/stain remover. Products design to remove spots/stain.
5. Toilet bowl cleaners. Products designed to specifically clean the toilet bowl and which have no intended other
use.
6. Laundry

Classification by ingredients:
1. Surfactants 2. Builders 3. Solvents 4. Chelating agents 5. Preservatives

Detergent.
Detergent is a sodium salt of a long chain benzene sulfonic acid which has cleansing properties in water. It is
also called “soap less soaps” because they act like a soap in having the cleansing properties. There are two types of
detergents: soapy detergent and the soapless detergent.

Saponification process.
Saponification is the process by which soap is made. Soaps are made from the alkaline of natural esters as
fats and oils. These esters are made from large carboxylic acid molecules containing more than ten carbon atoms in
their hydrocarbon chains and glycerol-an alcohol containing three OH groups in its molecule

The Cleansing Action of Soap and Detergent

1. Soap ionizes in water to produce free moving soap anions and cations.
2. Soap anions reduce the surface tension of water that increase wetting ability of water.
3. Hydrophilic part of soap anions remains the same in water and hydrophilic part dissolves and penetrates into
the grease.
4. By the movement of water during scrubbing and rubbing, grease is loosened and lifted off the surface.
5. The hydrophilic part of soap anions surround the grease, the grease is suspended in the water.
6. The grease is dispersed into smaller droplets.
7. The smaller droplets do not redeposit on the surface of cloth due to repulsion between negative charges.
8. The droplets are suspended in water, forming an emulsion.
9. Rinsing away the dirty water removes the grease droplets and the cloth is then cleaned.

Surfactants
Surfactants are organic compounds whose molecules consist of two parts: a water-hating (hydrophobic) and a
water-loving (hydrophilic) part. When a surfactant molecule is introduced into water, the water-hating part tries to
escape by attaching itself to any available surface other than water. At the same time, the water-loving part tries to
remain in water. As a results, surfactants tend to strongly “absorb” or cling to many surfaces, such as fabric, soil,
glass and where the water and air meet.
Surfactants are classified by their ionic(electrical) charges:
1. Anionic surfactants – have negative charge. Effective in removing particulate (dirt, dust, etc.) and oily
soils. In hard water, they react with positively charged water hardness minerals, such a calcium and
magnesium. Soap is the original anionic surfactant. In hard water it combines with and calcium
magnesium salts to form an insoluble soap film or scum. In general, anionic surfactants tend to generate
higher suds levels than other classes of surfactants.
2. Cationic surfactants – have positive charge. In hard surface cleaners, they can be used as effective
antimicrobial agents. Non-ionic surfactants do not have an electrical charge. Because of this, they tend to
be less seriously affected by water hardness. In general, they are low foaming and are especially useful in
products which are designed to require little rinsing.
The major surfactants in cleaning products are biodegradable. This means that in sewage treatment facilities
they are broken down by bacteria, first to smaller molecules and ultimately to carbon dioxide, water and
minerals.

Builders
Builders follow surfactants in importance as ingredients in household cleaners, particularly in all-purpose
cleaners. The most basic function of builders is to soften water by tying up the hardness minerals in water so they do
not interfere with the cleaning action of the surfactants. Some builders also aid in keeping soil particles in suspension,
thus, assuming that cleaned surfaces remained clean.
There are three types of builders:
1. Sequestering builder – the most effective type, referred as a chelating agent. Forms a tightly-bound, water
soluble complex with calcium or magnesium ions
2. Precipitating builders – remove hardness ions by forming insoluble compounds. In the cleaning process, this
precipitate needs to be removed along with the other soils on the surfaces being cleaned. Sodium carbonate
and sodium silicate are examples of precipitating builders.
3. Ion exchange builders – function by trading electrically charged particles. Sodium aluminasilicate (zeolite) is
an ion exchange builder.

Chelating Agents
A chelant, sometimes refers to as sequestrant, is a specialized molecule designed to bind to positively charged
metal ions, most commonly calcium and magnesium, in solution. Chelant can bind with any metal ions in solution,
not just calcium and magnesium.
In addition to softening the water of the cleaning solution, chelants are also effective in removing some stains.
Chelants remove the metal iron that help crosslink and stabilize most stain structures. With the metal ions gone, the
remainder of the stain is easier to clean.
Chelants are found in laundry detergents, autodish detergents and other hard surface cleansers designed to
perform well in hard water. One of the most popular chelant is EDTA (ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid). Alternatives
to EDTA include phosphates, NTA (Nitrilotriacetic acid) citrates, silicates, and polymers of acrylic and maleic acid.

Preservatives
Preservatives are chemicals added to a product to help prevent decay and spoilage of the product which could
render the product un-useable and possibly dangerous.
Preservatives are used in almost all liquid cleaners and some dry products as well. Without preservatives, you
may not have confidence in the quality of products you purchase on store shelves and keep in your homes.

Bleaches
Bleaches are compounds that oxidize and removes soils and lighten the color of stains. Bleaching agents acts
as soil and stain removers. They attack soil chemically, breaking it down to smaller units.
The most commonly used bleaching agent is sodium hypochlorite, which is prepared from chlorine gas and a
solution of sodium hydroxide. Sodium hypochlorite is an effective, relatively indiscriminate oxidizing agent. It is also
a disinfectant capable of attacking and destroying bacteria, viruses and mold. It is an important component in many
tile and grout cleaners.

Other ingredients present in household cleaners to varying degrees, depending on the job the product is
formulated to perform:
1. Abrasive – contribute to the mechanical effectiveness of scouring cleaners
2. Acids – can dissolve calcium and metal salts and find use in tub, tile, sink and toilet bowl cleaners.
3. Alkalis – ensures that pH is maintained at a desirably high level during cleaning. Sodium hydroxide and
sodium metasilicate are strong alkalis.
4. Sodium bicarbonate – (baking soda) provides alkalinity at a somewhat lower pH. It is useful for buffering
formulations which will contact the skin and for other uses where mildness is important.
5. Silicates – provide corrosion protection, particularly on white metals like aluminum
 6. Antimicrobial agents – can destroy bacteria and viruses by interfering with their metabolism or destroying
their cell walls.
7. Colourants – provide a product with an individual characteristic and an appealing appearance. They also act as
a tracers.
8. Enzymes – breakdown soils into simpler forms that can easily be removed by the cleaner. They are proteins
that are classified by the type of soil they breakdown.
9. Fragrances – cover the base odour of the chemicals used in cleaning products. They may also counteract any
malodour inherent in soil itself and leave a pleasing scent after cleaning.
10. Polymers – are compounds whose molecules are very large, compared to most of the other materials found in
household cleaners. The molecules are made up of many smaller molecules, which may be identical or which
may be of two and sometimes three kinds. Linking the smaller molecules to each other is a process referred to
as polymerization. When polymers dry, they form films much in the same manner in which paint dries to a
thin film.
11. Processing aids – are added to make the product homogeneous under varying storage conditions and to
produce desirable dispensing characteristics.
12. Preservatives – protect the products against the natural effects that occur when a product ages, like decay,
discoloration, oxidation and bacterial attack.
13. Solvents – have a specific place in products where grease removal and cleaning without leaving a residue is
important; window cleaners and products for removing finger marks on walls, for example.

Common Chemical Compounds in Consumer Products

1. Phthalates- Phthalates are a group of chemicals used in hundreds of products, such as toys, vinyl flooring and
wall covering, detergents, lubricating oils, food packaging, pharmaceuticals, blood bags and tubing, and
personal care products, such as nail polish, hair sprays, aftershave lotions, soaps, shampoos, perfumes and
other fragrance preparations. Phthalates are known as endocrine disruptors.
2. Percholorethylene “Perc”- dry cleaning solution, spot removers, carpet and upholstery cleaners. Can cause
dizziness, loss of coordination and other symptoms.
3. Triclosan – is an aggressive antibacterial agent that can promote the growth of drug-resistant bacteria. Toxic to
algae and may also disrupt endocrine function. A probable carcinogen.
4. Quarternary ammonium compounds “Quats” – fabric softener liquid and sheets, most household cleaner
labeled antibacterial. It is another type of antimicrobial, and thus pose the same problem as triclosan by
helping breed antibiotic-resistant bacteria. It is skin irritant. it is also a culprit for respiratory disorder.
5. 2-Butoxyethanol – window, kitchen and multipurpose cleaners. The key ingredients in many window cleaners
and gives them their characteristic sweet smell. It belongs in the category of glycol ethers, a set of powerful
solvents that don’t mess around. It can cause sore throat when inhaled, van contribute to narcosis, pulmonary
edema, severe liver and kidney damage.
6. Ammonia – polishing agents for bathrooms fixtures, sinks and jewelry, also in glass cleaner. Because
ammonia evaporates and doesn’t leave streaks, its another common ingredient in commercial window
cleaners. People expose to ammonia can often develop chronic bronchitis and asthma. Can also create a
poisonous gas if it is mixed with bleach.
7. Chlorine – scouring powders, toilet bowl cleaners, mildew removers, laundry whiteners and household tap
water. The health risk of chlorine can be acute and they can be chronic; it is a respiratory irritant at an acute
level. But the chronic effects are what people don’t realize; it may be a serious thyroid disrupter.
8. Sodium hydroxide – oven cleaners and drain openers. Also known as lye, an extremely corrosive. If it touches
your skin or gets into your eyes, it can cause severe burns. Routes of exposure are skin contact and inhalation.
If inhaled, it can cause sore throat that lasts for days.

Personal Care Products

Personal care products are substances intended to clean the body. It is used to cleanse, beautify, improve odor,
protects and change a person’s physical experience. Personal care products are classified based on the part of the body
they are applied. Such as:
1. Hair care products – are products that help to control the properties and behaviour of the hair so that in can be
maintained in a controlled and desirable manner, like shampoos and conditioners.
2. Oral care products – are intended to change the oral cavity, freshens the breath and maintain good oral
hygiene.
3. Skin care products – used for cleansing the skin. Some products softens and contains moisturizers and hydrate
the skin, yet some has ingredients for whitening the skin.
4. Bath and shower products – are used for bathing, showering and cleaning the body.
5. Personal cleanliness products – for deodorants are substance applied to the body to prevent body odor cause
by bacterial breakdown of perspiration.
6. Feminine wash – intended for cleaning and protecting the external genitalia of women.

Some safety concerns that may be associated with cosmetics and personal care products include;
 1. Eye infection
2. Spreading bacteria on the skin
3. Irritation and scratches on the eye
4. Fire hazards, in the case of aerosol products such as hair spray
5. Allergic reactions or sensitivity to ingredients
6. Contaminants in products

“using your cosmetics and personal care products properly can help reduce many risks. These include washing oof
cosmetics before you go to sleep and not sharing any personal products to prevent the spread of bacteria.”

Things to Make Your Home Safer

1. Inventory all products in your home
2. Read the products label
3. Buy only what you need
4. Keep out of reach of children
5. Don’t store chemical with food
6. Don’t store flammable liquids or gases in the home
7. Keep chemicals in the original containers
8. Recycle
9. Use alternative products
10. Proper disposal

Performance Task.
Cut and paste household and personal care product labels and complete the table. (Or you can draw the product)

Product Active Ingredient Effect

A. Household Cleaning Product
1. Kitchen

2. Bathroom

3. Laundry

Personal Care Product

1. Skin

2. Hair

3. Mouth