How Soap and Detergents Work

[bsteadman]

How Soap and Detergents Work

They contain 'surfactant' molecules (surface active agents)

Surfactants

[InspectorSmith]

Crystal Wash (Bio Ceramics?)

Bruce, what do you think about Crystal Wash?

Their company claims that by using 'Bio Ceramics' you can wash your clothing without every using detergent/soap:

The key to Crystal Wash is that the Bio Ceramics create two key benefits in the laundry water...

Deep Cleaning: They produce far infrared rays that effectively reduce negative ions in the water of your laundry machine, which raises pH level to 8.5 or greater. This process shrinks the water molecule clusters to a size that allows dirts and soils to be soaked free naturally.

Disinfecting: Additionally, the Bio Ceramics create Hydrogen Peroxide which disinfects the clothes, kills bacteria and odor.

The product is a small round receptacle which is filled with small spheres of 'bio ceramics'?

bio ceramics.JPG

The company claims that the only thing that you have to do once in a while is lay the 'bio ceramics' in the sun to recharge them.

This all sounds very cool and potentially could save everyone a lot of money in laundry detergent.

Bruce, with your background in chemistry what are your thoughts on this product?

I discovered the product because they have a new version of the product called Crystal Wash 2.0 which is presently listed on the crowdfunding website, Kickstarter.

Apparently with this new version the original product interfaces with a senor which communicates with your computer/smartphone to provide you with real time data such as, though not limited to, Recharge Alerts, Wash Complete Alerts, Wash Cycle Tracking Stats – Graphs, Counters, Social Sharing, Savings Tracking, etc.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects...-no-detergents

[bsteadman]

Lucas,

I went to the Crystal Wash site and looked over what they present

https://secure.crystalwash.com/

Here’s How Crystal Wash™ Works:

The pH level of laundry water impacts the wash greatly. If the water is overly acidic or alkaline it can damage delicate clothes and fabrics, cause colors to fade and cause clothing to still seem dirty even after washing. Most detergents on the market are a pH level of 6.5 – 9, but they use chemicals to achieve these levels.

The key to Crystal Wash is that the Bio Ceramics create two key benefits in the laundry water...

Deep Cleaning: They produce far infrared rays that effectively reduce negative ions in the water of your laundry machine, which raises pH level to 8.5 or greater. This process shrinks the water molecule clusters to a size that allows dirts and soils to be soaked free naturally.

Disinfecting: Additionally, the Bio Ceramics create Hydrogen Peroxide which disinfects the clothes, kills bacteria and odor.

These special Bio Ceramics were developed using various minerals with very effective antibacterial and anti-oxidant properties.

(1) Their performance claims make absolutely no sense chemically. THIS PRODUCT IS A TOTAL SCAM (The product "produces far infrared rays that effectively reduce negative ions.") --- Monumental BS.

(2) Their claim that the product "disinfects" (ie. KILLS GERMS on) the clothes is a claim that can only be made on US EPA REGISTERED PESTICIDE products, based on performance tests formally accepted and approved by the EPA. This is a very rigorous requirement required by federal law. The label for the product must bear an assigned EPA Registration number if the company makes this claim. I do not see any indication that the product is EPA registered. If caught violating the pesticide regulations, they could be severely fined, or worse under the FIFRA law. - http://www.epa.gov/agriculture/lfra.html

Summary: The company claims are totally bogus and the product is a scam and complete waste of money.

---

ps. These types of products are not new. See also: "Laundry Ball" - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laundry_ball

[InspectorSmith]

Bruce, thank you for your helpful insight!