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. ✨
GKE Fair Chem Pte Ltd, based in Singapore, provides international chemical distribution, toll blending, storage, and transport solutions. Contact us today to learn how we can support your global chemical supply and logistics needs.
Posted by GKE Fair Chem Pte Ltd on 2 Jan 26
Singapore
