Detergent powder is a widely used household cleaning product designed to remove dirt, grease, stains and other impurities from clothes and fabrics. A good detergent powder requires a balanced combination of surfactants, builders, fillers, optical brighteners, fragrance and other functional ingredients.
This article explains a 1 KG detergent powder formulation, including raw material quantities, manufacturing process, ingredient functions, quality-control points and important safety precautions.
1 KG Detergent Powder Formula
| Raw Material | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Acid Slurry (LABSA) | 89.55 g |
| Soda Ash | 298.51 g |
| STPP | 14.93 g |
| Glauber Salt (G. Salt) | 522.39 g |
| Sodium Sulphate | 37.31 g |
| Tinopal CBS-X | 0.19 g |
| PCC (Precipitated Calcium Carbonate) | 14.93 g |
| Detergent Colour | 22.39 g |
| Perfume | 0.75 g |
| Total | ≈ 1000 g |
Manufacturing Process
Step 1 – Raw Material Sieving
Sieve all dry raw materials separately before starting the manufacturing process. This helps remove lumps and foreign particles and provides better mixing.
Step 2 – Soda Ash and Acid Slurry Mixing
Take approximately 100–120 g of the total Soda Ash in the mixer.
Slowly add 89.55 g Acid Slurry (LABSA) while maintaining continuous mixing.
Avoid adding the entire Acid Slurry at once because this can result in lump formation and uneven distribution.
Step 3 – Add STPP
Add 14.93 g STPP and mix thoroughly until it is uniformly distributed.
Step 4 – Add PCC
Add 14.93 g PCC and continue mixing.
Step 5 – Add Tinopal CBS-X
Premix 0.19 g Tinopal CBS-X with a small quantity of dry detergent powder.
Add this premix to the main batch and mix properly.
Step 6 – Add Sodium Sulphate
Add 37.31 g Sodium Sulphate and continue mixing until uniform.
Step 7 – Add Glauber Salt
Slowly add 522.39 g Glauber Salt while keeping the mixer running.
Continue mixing until the powder becomes homogeneous.
Step 8 – Add Colour
Premix the detergent colour with a small quantity of dry powder before adding it to the main batch.
Mix until the colour is evenly distributed throughout the product.
Step 9 – Add Perfume
Add 0.75 g perfume slowly or by spraying while mixing.
Continue mixing for sufficient time to achieve uniform fragrance distribution.
Step 10 – Final Sieving
Pass the finished detergent powder through a suitable sieve to remove lumps and obtain a smooth and uniform powder.
Function of Each Raw Material
Acid Slurry (LABSA)
The primary anionic surfactant responsible for detergency and removal of oily and greasy soil.
Soda Ash
Provides alkalinity and supports the cleaning action of the detergent.
STPP
Acts as a builder and helps improve cleaning performance, particularly in hard-water conditions.
Glauber Salt
Used mainly as a bulk material and helps achieve the desired powder structure.
Sodium Sulphate
Functions as a filler and helps improve powder handling and flow characteristics.
Tinopal CBS-X
An optical brightener that improves the visual whiteness and brightness of fabrics.
PCC
Acts as a filler/processing ingredient and contributes to the physical structure of the powder.
Detergent Colour
Provides the desired visual appearance to the finished detergent powder.
Perfume
Provides fragrance to the finished product.
Quality Control Parameters
Before commercial packing, check the following:
- Appearance and colour
- Odour/fragrance
- Powder flowability
- Presence of lumps
- Moisture content
- pH
- Foam performance
- Cleaning performance
- Fabric compatibility
- Storage stability
The final product should remain free-flowing and stable during storage.
Packaging & Storage
Pack the finished detergent powder in a suitable moisture-resistant pouch or container.
Keep the product:
- Away from moisture
- Away from direct sunlight
- In a cool and dry area
- In properly sealed packaging
- Away from incompatible chemicals
Important Manufacturing Precautions
⚠️ Wear appropriate gloves, safety goggles and protective clothing during manufacturing.
⚠️ Acid Slurry should be handled carefully and added gradually to the alkaline powder.
⚠️ Ensure adequate ventilation in the production area.
⚠️ Low-dose ingredients such as Tinopal and colour should preferably be premixed with a carrier powder for uniform distribution.
⚠️ Always conduct a small trial batch before moving to large-scale production.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Can this formula be directly scaled to 10 KG or 100 KG?
Yes. The quantities can be proportionally scaled according to the required batch size. However, larger batches should be validated through trial production.
2. What is the main cleaning ingredient in this detergent powder?
Acid Slurry (LABSA) is the primary surfactant and provides the main detergency action.
3. What is the purpose of Soda Ash?
Soda Ash provides alkalinity and supports the cleaning action of the detergent.
4. Why is STPP used in detergent powder?
STPP acts as a builder and helps improve cleaning performance, especially when water hardness affects detergency.
5. What does Tinopal do?
Tinopal CBS-X is an optical brightener that helps fabrics appear visually whiter and brighter.
6. Why is Glauber Salt used in the formula?
Glauber Salt is primarily used as a bulk ingredient and helps achieve the desired powder structure and economics.
7. When should perfume be added?
Perfume is generally added toward the end of the mixing process to reduce unnecessary exposure to the mixing and processing conditions.
8. Why should colour be premixed?
Premixing colour with a small quantity of powder helps prevent colour spots and improves uniform colour distribution.
9. Why is final sieving important?
Final sieving removes lumps and helps produce a more uniform, free-flowing detergent powder.
10. Is this formula suitable for commercial production?
It can be used as a starting formulation for trial production, but commercial production should be preceded by proper QC testing, stability testing, performance evaluation and compliance with applicable local requirements.
Disclaimer
Disclaimer: This formulation is provided for educational, formulation-development and small-scale trial purposes only. The quantities and process are based on the formulation information provided and should not be considered a guaranteed commercial specification.
Raw-material quality, concentration, active matter, water quality, equipment, mixing efficiency and manufacturing conditions can significantly affect the final product.
Before commercial production, the manufacturer should conduct appropriate laboratory testing, stability testing, performance testing and safety evaluation and ensure compliance with all applicable laws, standards, labelling requirements and environmental regulations.
Always follow the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) and supplier handling instructions for individual raw materials. Acid Slurry/LABSA and alkaline materials can be hazardous if handled incorrectly.
Professional trial and QC validation are recommended before market launch.
