A COMPARATIVE STUDY BETWEEN POWDERED AND LIQUID

DETERGENT IN REMOVING HARD STAINS

An Investigative Project
Presented to
Mr. Paul Anton Mahinay
Pasig Catholic College

In Partial Fulfillment
Of the Requirements in Science 8

By

8 – Diocese of Malolos

Arnaiz, Juslie Dominic

Morales, Jarel Adriel

Santiago, Pilar Franchesca

November 2020
 CHAPTER 1

THE PROBLEM AND ITS SETTINGS

Laundry detergent is one among the foremost common cleaning agents

found in every household. It is essentially used for cleaning soiled laundries

and can be usually bought in either powdered or liquid form. Liquid

detergents work very well in removing greasy stains and leave less residue

on clothes while powdered detergents are most effective in removing mud.

Laundry detergents are composed of alkalis, surfactants, bleaches, and

enzymes. 

Alkalis are soluble salts and a base that reacts with an acid to neutralize it.

They are efficient in removing dirt and stains from fabric without excessive

rubbing. The surfactants break up stains and suspend the dirt in the water to

prevent the redeposition of the dirt onto the surface (Leverette,

2019). Laundry bleaches are typically stable adducts of hydrogen peroxide,

such as sodium perborate and sodium per carbonate that will release

hydrogen peroxide when exposed to water and are effective in oxidizable

organic stains. (Wikipedia, n.d.) Lastly are enzymes. Enzymes have Lipases

that break down oils and fats. Hence, this is why they are reliable in stain

removal.
Many ways and techniques have been developed to remove hard stains. The

researchers would like to determine how effective liquid and powdered

detergents are in hard stains.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

This study aims to determine the difference in effectiveness between

powdered and liquid detergents in removing hard stains. Specifically, this

study aims to answer the following questions:

1. What is the difference between powdered and liquid detergents in

removing hard stains in terms of:

1.1. Color

1.2. Odor

1.3. Texture 

2. Which is better in removing hard stains, powdered detergents or liquid

detergents?

HYPOTHESIS OF THE STUDY

There is no significant difference between powdered and liquid detergents in

removing hard stains in terms of:

1. Color

2. Odor

3. Texture

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

One of the objectives of this study is to know which kind of detergent is

better for removing stains. This study is significant to the following:

Laundry Detergent Consumers. This study aims to identify which kind of

detergent is best to use in the household.

Importance to the Environment. Water is the main ingredient in liquid

laundry detergent. Water is heavy to transport and shipping adds to

consumer and environmental costs. Powdered laundry detergent’s shipping

costs are expensive and make a large impact on the environment.

Laundry Detergent Manufacturers. Manufacturers will benefit from

the study by producing more effective detergents.

Future Researchers. The other researchers may benefit from this study for

them to conduct elated research for further improvement of the study.

SCOPES AND DELIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

The researchers will use two different solutions, one with powdered

detergent and one with liquid detergent. Both detergents will have the same

brand (Tide). One oil-stained fabric and one mud-stained fabric made of

60% cotton and 40% polyester will be used as samples for the experiment.

The samples will be tested and evaluated in terms of the following

properties: the color of stain; odor; and texture. The initial experiment will

be conducted in the laundry room and the prepared samples will be kept at

the house of one of the researchers for safety storage and regular

observation. Three experimental setups will be made for the accurate result

and validity of the study.

The researchers chose the brand Tide to be used for this experiment

because it is available in any local store. The study covers only the

effectivity of liquid and powdered detergents. It is because these are the

usual kinds many families use in laundry cleaning. The study is limited to

mud stains and oil-based stains since the following are usually obtained from

everyday activities.

DEFINITION OF TERMS

Detergent. a mixture of chemicals with cleaning properties. 

Mud. a slimy viscous mixture of soil, loam, silt or clay, and water.
Oil. a substance typically unctuous, viscous, combustible at ordinary

temperatures, and soluble in alcohol but not in water.

Stain. A dirty mark produced by a foreign matter having penetrated into the

material.