When people see sodium chloride on a hand soap or dishwashing liquid label, the first reaction is often:
“Why is table salt in my cleaner?”
In reality, sodium chloride plays a quiet but critical role in many household cleaning formulations.
In liquid hand soaps and dishwashing detergents, sodium chloride is commonly used as a viscosity modifier. In simple terms, it helps thicken the product — giving it that smooth, satisfying flow that users expect, without relying heavily on synthetic thickeners.
But that’s not all.
When balanced correctly, sodium chloride:
• Improves product stability
• Enhances foam structure (especially with surfactant systems like SLES)
• Contributes to a consistent user experience from the first pump to the last
Of course, more is not always better. Over-salting a formulation can reduce foam and negatively impact performance — which is why formulation know-how matters.
The next time you wash your hands or dishes, remember: sometimes the most ordinary ingredients are doing the most important work behind the scenes.
Clean science, done right. ✨
Malaysia
