Super 10 has not attained this level of respect by accident either. Since its original introduction it has relentlessly reflected the state-of-the-art in household, multi-purpose cleaner technology by combining the three basic concepts of soil removal, chemistry, soap, solvents and surfactants, in a unique and effective manner. This technique, known as GNLD’s “Triple Cleaning Power”, in conjunction with the other scientific concepts upon which the formula is based, is what has brought Super 10 such high acclaim.
Yet even with all this acclaim and prowess it is likely that only a handful of individuals fully comprehend just how sophisticated Super 10 really is. In order to bring this knowledge closer to you, the GNLD Distributor, the following is the first in a series of articles by Ian West, a world-renowned research chemist, that will discuss the technical concepts behind Super 10 and other GNLD household cleaning products.
“We have taken water, a universal solvent used by man, and enhanced its cleaning properties”
We are often asked why and how Super 10 works as a heavy duty all purpose cleaner. The answer is that we have taken water - a universal solvent used by man since the dawn of time to clean himself and his possessions - and enhanced its cleaning properties. The initial step in this direction was taken in 600 BC when the Phoenicians developed soap from goat’s tallow and wood ashes. But their invention was only used as a salve and medicament (ointment) until the second century AD, when a Greek physician, Galen, mentioned it as a medicament and a means of cleansing the body. From then until 1930, when synthetic detergents were first produced for commercial consumption, soap was the only detergent available.
“Modern technology allows us to actually create soap from basic organic building blocks”
Today, modern technology allows us to actually create soap from basic organic building blocks. We accomplish this function in the Super 10 formula by reacting Sodium Hydroxide with Linear Dodecyl Benzene Sulfonate, creating a Sodium Sulfonate soap. This soap provides superior detergency in both hard and soft water when compared to the more traditional soaps made from animal fats or vegetable oils. Sodium Sulfonate soap acts as an effective cleaner by surrounding the insoluble soils and suspending them in the wash water. This is called emulsification. Thus, you have the basic framework upon which Super 10 formula is based. However, in order to make it a superior heavy duty cleaner, we have added organic solvents, non-ionic surfactants and water softeners to the basic Sodium Sulfonate soap system.
Organic solvents have been used for centuries to solubilise soils. In Super 10 the organic solvents act as penetrating agents and oil solubilisers to lift soil off hard surfaces. The organic solvent penetrates the soil and the area between the soil and hard surface being cleaned. As the solvent penetrates the soil, it draws the water and surfactant solution with it, causing the soil to be lifted off the hard surface, emulsified and suspended in cleaning solution (wash water).
“These surfactants are not affected by hard water”
Thenon-ionic surfactants in Super 10 act in connection with the Sodium Sulfonate soap to emulsify oil and dirt. These surfactants are not affected by hard water. Non-ionic surfactants are also strong wetting agents which ”make water wetter” contributing to penetration and emulsification of soils.
In order to ensure excellent performance under a wide variety of conditions, two water softening agents have been added. These water softeners, Sodium Tripolyphosphate and Tetrasodium EDTA, bind the Calcium and Magnesium ions found in hard water in solution to prevent them from adversely affecting performance. Tetrasodium EDTA also binds heavy metals and thus aids in the removal of iron or rust stains.
The Sodium Sulfonate soap, Organic Solvents, Non-ionic surfactants and Water Softeners all combine together to produce Super 10, a concentrated, biodegradable hard surface cleaner with excellent cleaning properties on all types of soils.
“Versatility of Super 10 eliminates the need for a multitude of single purpose cleaners”
Laboratory tests have shown that Super 10 is a consistent performer that can tackle any number of tough cleaning jobs. The versatility of Super 10 eliminates the need for a multitude of single purpose cleaners that may be required to accomplish the many difficult cleaning tasks that face us each day. On top of all this, literally millions of satisfied customers will attest to the versatility and superior cleaning powers of Super 10. But we, in the laboratory, are still striving to improve the performance of this product. With new and innovative technological developments in the science of detergency Super 10 will remain at the leading edge of the industry’s technology.