Umm Al Quwain has a steady base of small and mid-sized businesses that make their own cleaning products: dishwashing liquid, floor cleaner, laundry powder, hand soap and car shampoo. Buying the raw materials directly is cheaper than buying finished products, but only if you know what each ingredient is doing in the mix. This guide explains the main ones in plain terms.

The basic idea

A detergent has three parts. The surfactants lift oil and dirt off a surface and keep it suspended in water. The builders soften the water and add alkalinity so the surfactants work better. Everything else (thickener, colour, fragrance, preservative) improves how the product looks, feels and keeps.

Surfactants

LABSA (linear alkylbenzene sulphonic acid)

LABSA is the workhorse of household and industrial cleaners and the cheapest source of cleaning power. It is a strong acid, and you neutralise it with caustic soda or soda ash to form sodium LAS before use. Always add the acid to water, never water to acid, and neutralise slowly because the reaction gives off heat. Wear splash goggles, gloves and an apron.

SLES (sodium lauryl ether sulphate)

SLES gives the foam and mildness that people expect from dishwashing liquid, shampoo and hand wash. It is sold as a thick paste at about 70 percent active and as a pourable liquid at about 28 percent. The paste is cheaper per kilogram of active matter, but it needs careful dilution with warm water to avoid lumps. Our SLES 28 percent and 70 percent grades are listed at Fujairah Chemical.

Foam boosters and thickeners

Fatty acid alkanolamides (such as CMEA and CDEA) stabilise foam and thicken the mix. Common salt thickens SLES-based liquids cheaply, but too much salt thins them again, so add it a little at a time.

Builders and alkalis

• Caustic soda: neutralises LABSA and cuts grease in heavy-duty cleaners. It is corrosive, so handle it with full protection.
• Soda ash (sodium carbonate): the main bulk ingredient of washing powders. It softens water and adds alkalinity at a low cost.
• Sodium silicate: protects machine parts and aluminium from alkaline attack and helps hold dirt in suspension.
• Glycerine and glycols: keep hand wash and liquids from drying out the skin, and keep formulas stable. We stock glycerine and propylene glycol.

Disinfecting and bleaching

Sodium hypochlorite is the usual choice for bleach and sanitiser. Do not mix it with acids or acid-based cleaners such as LABSA products, because chlorine gas is released. Keep the two stored and handled separately.

Common mistakes we see

1. Skipping lab-scale trials. Test a litre before you commit to a 200 litre batch. Viscosity and foam change with water hardness.
2. Judging the surfactant by price per kilogram. Compare cost per kilogram of active matter, not the drum price.
3. Ignoring pH. Dishwashing liquid for skin contact should sit near neutral, while floor and degreasing products can be strongly alkaline. Use pH strips or a meter.
4. No preservative. Water-based products grow bacteria and mould in UAE heat, so include a suitable preservative.

What to ask your supplier

For every raw material, ask for the active matter percentage, the safety data sheet and a certificate of analysis. If you plan to sell under your own brand, check the current requirements for labelling and registration of cleaning products in the UAE before you print labels.

Order from Sharjah Chemical

We supply detergent and cleaning raw materials in drums and bags and deliver across the Emirates, including Umm Al Quwain. Send us your product type and monthly volume and we will recommend a starting list of ingredients and a quotation. Call or WhatsApp +971 56 915 9739, email sharjahchemical@gmail.com, or visit our product catalogue.

Frequently asked questions

Which is cheaper, SLES paste or liquid?

The 70 percent paste costs less per kilogram of active matter. The 28 percent liquid is easier to handle and needs no pre-dilution, which suits small producers.

Can I make dishwashing liquid with only LABSA?

You can, but it feels harsher on the hands and foams differently. Most producers blend LABSA with SLES for a better result at a reasonable cost.

Do you supply small quantities?

Yes. We can supply sample and trial quantities so you can test a formula before buying in drums.