The Cleaning of Hard Surfaces by Surfactants in Relation to Surfactant Molecular Packing

A novel experimental approach for the study of hard surface cleaning based on in situ ellipsometry studies is described and found to allow a convenient and relieable monitoring of cleaning also in kinetic investigations. The removal of fat from poly(vinyl chloride) and chromium surfaces resulting from different surfactant solutions is investigated, additionally mixed surfacdant systems and the effects of additives are examined.

The cleaning of hard surfaces by surfactants is then analysed in terms of the spontaneous packing of self-assembled surfactant molecules. It is suggested that spontaneous packing into planar layers is optimal for efficient cleaning and it is found that this hypothesis receives strong support from the experimental findings.