Sugar soap
Encyclopedia
Sugar soap as typically found in Commonwealth
countries is a cleaning material of variable composition sold for use on surfaces affected by greasy or tarry deposits which are not easily removed with routine domestic cleaning materials. When in dry powder form it looks like table sugar
thus causing the name.
The solution is alkaline and its uses include cleaning paintwork in preparation for repainting
.
s found on manufacturers' and suppliers' web sites. Sugar soap is freely available for domestic use in the UK, being commonly sold for preparing surfaces for redecoration, stripping certain types of wallpaper, removing accumulations of grease in kitchens or removal of tar deposits caused by tobacco-smoking; products are supplied in powder or liquid form.
, also known as "TSP". However, due to environmental concerns about the impact of phosphorus
on lakes and streams, products labeled TSP may not actually contain any trisodium phosphate.
"Sugar Soap" in the USA is generally a cosmetic
product. If sugar is actually used in that product it would help natural soaps generate more lather.
and its formula is a derivative of a resin soap made from terpène
. The ingredients listed in the safety data sheet http://www.delcourt.fr/images/FichesDDS/02.8248.pdf include >30% Sodium Carbonate
.
Commonwealth of Nations
The Commonwealth of Nations, normally referred to as the Commonwealth and formerly known as the British Commonwealth, is an intergovernmental organisation of fifty-four independent member states...
countries is a cleaning material of variable composition sold for use on surfaces affected by greasy or tarry deposits which are not easily removed with routine domestic cleaning materials. When in dry powder form it looks like table sugar
Sucrose
Sucrose is the organic compound commonly known as table sugar and sometimes called saccharose. A white, odorless, crystalline powder with a sweet taste, it is best known for its role in human nutrition. The molecule is a disaccharide composed of glucose and fructose with the molecular formula...
thus causing the name.
The solution is alkaline and its uses include cleaning paintwork in preparation for repainting
Painting
Painting is the practice of applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a surface . The application of the medium is commonly applied to the base with a brush but other objects can be used. In art, the term painting describes both the act and the result of the action. However, painting is...
.
United Kingdom
The precise ingredients and their proportions (and consequentially what hazards, if any, are associated) vary between manufacturers and suppliers but are now generally found listed in the Material Safety Data SheetMaterial safety data sheet
A Material Safety Data Sheet is a form with data regarding the properties of a particular substance....
s found on manufacturers' and suppliers' web sites. Sugar soap is freely available for domestic use in the UK, being commonly sold for preparing surfaces for redecoration, stripping certain types of wallpaper, removing accumulations of grease in kitchens or removal of tar deposits caused by tobacco-smoking; products are supplied in powder or liquid form.
United States
The comparable cleaning product in the USA is trisodium phosphateTrisodium phosphate
Trisodium phosphate is a cleaning agent, food additive, stain remover and degreaser. It is a white, granular or crystalline solid, highly soluble in water producing an alkaline solution....
, also known as "TSP". However, due to environmental concerns about the impact of phosphorus
Phosphorus
Phosphorus is the chemical element that has the symbol P and atomic number 15. A multivalent nonmetal of the nitrogen group, phosphorus as a mineral is almost always present in its maximally oxidized state, as inorganic phosphate rocks...
on lakes and streams, products labeled TSP may not actually contain any trisodium phosphate.
"Sugar Soap" in the USA is generally a cosmetic
Cosmetics
Cosmetics are substances used to enhance the appearance or odor of the human body. Cosmetics include skin-care creams, lotions, powders, perfumes, lipsticks, fingernail and toe nail polish, eye and facial makeup, towelettes, permanent waves, colored contact lenses, hair colors, hair sprays and...
product. If sugar is actually used in that product it would help natural soaps generate more lather.
France
A comparable product in France is sold under the brand name St Marc. It is branded by Reckitt BenckiserReckitt Benckiser
Reckitt Benckiser plc is a global consumer goods company headquartered in Slough, United Kingdom. It is the world's largest producer of household products and a major producer of consumer healthcare and personal products...
and its formula is a derivative of a resin soap made from terpène
Terpene
Terpenes are a large and diverse class of organic compounds, produced by a variety of plants, particularly conifers, though also by some insects such as termites or swallowtail butterflies, which emit terpenes from their osmeterium. They are often strong smelling and thus may have had a protective...
. The ingredients listed in the safety data sheet http://www.delcourt.fr/images/FichesDDS/02.8248.pdf include >30% Sodium Carbonate
Sodium carbonate
Sodium carbonate , Na2CO3 is a sodium salt of carbonic acid. It most commonly occurs as a crystalline heptahydrate, which readily effloresces to form a white powder, the monohydrate. Sodium carbonate is domestically well-known for its everyday use as a water softener. It can be extracted from the...
.