FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Sigma Delta's "Tri-Wash" Liquid Laundry Detergent

With Sigma Delta's proprietary Foam Control ("FC") Operating System

Sigma Delta USA is constantly attempting to provide our customers with up to date advice and information regarding the employment and performance capabilities of our proprietary products. In keeping with this philosophical commitment, this document will identify a number of frequently asked questions received by Sigma Delta over the past decade from customers wishing to learn more about our proprietary “Tri-Wash” Liquid Laundry Detergent with Foam Control. Should your particular question not be represented in the following presentation, and/or you desire clarification of any issues discussed here that have not been answered to your satisfaction, please contact Sigma Delta’s customer service department by using the "contact us" link above.

QUESTION #1

“HOW MUCH WATER PER POUND OF WASH (SOILED FABRIC) IS NEEDED TO PRODUCE A CLEAN GARMENT?”

The amount of water per pound of product (soiled textile) that is ultimately required to produce acceptable results (clean textile) utilizing TRI-WASH detergent largely depends on the type and system of washing machinery involved, as well as the desired level of cleanliness of the finished item and its soil concentration prior to laundering. The water required per pound of textile in order to produce an acceptably clean product is similarly influenced by the actual chemistry and properties of the input water used, consistent with its ability to be transformed in the laundering process by the detergent into a highly active solvent, and not just serve as a neutral vehicle for the simple delivery of detergent to the textile being cleaned.

Regardless of the actual quality of local input water, Sigma Delta’s experience with TRI-WASH confirms that even in the hardest of water conditions, its proprietary formulation can effectively transform the normal inactivity or no involvement of process water into an aggressive solvent in support of the comprehensive laundering process. As a by-product of Sigma Delta’s success in this effort, “Tri-Wash” detergent is able to more effectively rinse laundered product, utilizing an enhanced emulsification capacity, that saves water.

Rather than simply guessing, and/or providing an estimate that may not adequately address the current circumstance, Sigma Delta’s customer service department would be pleased, upon request, to provide you with a specific calculation concerning the anticipated amount of water that will be required to effectively utilize TRI-WASH to address your current laundry requirements.

QUESTION #2

“WHAT TEMPERATURE AND HOW MUCH WATER WOULD BE NEEDED TO WASH 100 KILOS OF HEAVY SOILED COLORED COTTON WORK GARMENTS?”

Regardless of the temperature or hardness of the water involved, the amount of water and detergent required to adequately launder any wash load is exclusively influenced by the ability of the detergent or soap to effective interact with the surrounding wash water. In keeping with its unique ability to convert water into an active solvent in the cleaning process, regular user of Tri-Wash Liquid Laundry Detergent with Foam Control report dramatically reduced costs regarding the amount of detergent and water required for effective laundry operations. While the actual amount of any realized savings is also impacted by the procedures and habits applicable to each individual customer, numerous long term “Tri-Wash” users have reported consistent savings of up to one third (33%) of the value of their monthly water bills, as well as a minimum twenty five (25%) percent savings on detergent purchases, through exclusive “Tri-Wash” utilization. Should you have any questions concerning the recommended amount of Tri-Wash detergent that should be used to clean a particular wash load, and/or that will be effective in a specific water harness or content environment, please contact our customer service department for additional consultation.

QUESTION #3

“IS THERE ONE VERSION OF TRI-WASH LAUNDRY DETERGENT THAT I CAN USE IN MOST CIRCUMSTANCES OR DO I NEED THEM ALL?”

Sigma Delta’s proprietary TRI-WASH Liquid Laundry Detergent is currently produced in three (3) distinct product models, which includes the following:

TRI-WASH “Heavy Duty” ~ pH 10.0 ~ For dull, dirt encrusted fabrics with odors TRI-WASH “Medium” ~ pH 9.0 ~ For older fabrics that are not overtly dirty TRI-WASH “Light” ~ pH 8.0 ~ For new fabrics without impacted dirt or odors

While each of these “Tri-Wash” versions are equally appropriate for every day laundry requirement, each is individually designed to produce a different water chemistry in the wash water, making it more ideal than the others for certain specialty applications. This is accomplished though the addition of proprietary additives in the chemical formulation that manipulates the acidity and alkalinity (pH) of water as a solvent to produce a desired result.

NOTE: “pH” is a measure of the hydrogen ion activity of any liquid expressed in gram equivalents per liter. This is specifically used to identify the acidity and alkalinity of the liquid as determined on a relative scale whose values run from zero (0) to a maximum of fourteen (pH 14.0), with pH 7.0 representing a neutral acidity and alkalinity status. Numbers less than pH 7.0 increase acidity, while numbers greater than pH 7.0 increase alkalinity.

Viewed from this perspective, the recommended model of TRI-WASH product to employ in any specific circumstance largely depends on the type of garments being cleaned and the nature of the stains or other soils involved. To place this statement in perspective, it may be helpful at this point to view the three (3) different versions of “Tri-Wash” within the context of the fabric condition that each was blended to address. Based on numerous years of research in the field of washing technology and products, Sigma Delta has identified three basic fabric conditions. As indicated in the product listing above, these three (3) scenarios are as follows:

1 - Badly damaged fabrics with dried, encrusted residue that also have a dull appearance and emit a stale odor. 2 - Superficially clean appearing fabrics that lack softness and have lost some quality of their original luster. 3 - Newer fabric items that still possess the majority of their luster and softness.

For more information on these conditions, please refer to the “Managed Professional Fabric Care Guide”. As an aside, it may be helpful to know that the environmentally safe nature of “Tri-Wash” makes either version safe to use with almost any textile garment or fabric, although Sigma Delta does not recommend the washing of delicate silk or woolen items with “Tri-Wash”. More specifically, while the laundering of a heavily oil and grime stained garment in “Tri-Wash Light” might not produce the same results as if it had been laundered in “Tri-Wash Heavy Duty”, there is no anticipated permanent damage that the item will suffer through this process. Reciprocally, a clean or lightly stained item washed in “Tri-Wash Heavy Duty” will similarly be unharmed in the process.

To avoid this potentially confusing situation in the future, Sigma Delta researchers are currently working on a priority project to standardize all three (3) current TRI-WASH models into one (1) all purpose formulation that would be applicable to all stains and dirt situations. This new formula, based on the use APG (Alkyl Polyglucosites) as a surfactant, is showing great promise in field tests currently being conducted. Consistent with this report, Sigma Delta hopes to be able to announce the availability of this new product to its customers in the near future.

In the meantime, should you have any additional questions concerning the current model of “Tri-Wash” recommended for use in any specific laundry scenario, please contact our customer service department. You are similarly encouraged to view the “Detergent Information Sheet”, as well as the “Professional Fabric Care Program Guide” respectively.

QUESTION #4

“WHAT PRODUCTS ARE RECOMMENDED TO GET THE BEST RESULTS WHEN USING “TRI-WASH“ IN COLD WATER SCENARIOS?”

As a first step, when the fastness of fabric colors is not certain, it is advisable to separate colored and white textile products and to wash them separately if practical. For maximum effect in most home washing machines, loads should also be limited whenever possible to a maximum weight of eighteen (18) pounds (+/- 8.5 Kilos). For application to this average example, it is recommended that the user add one half cup (50cc) of Tri-Wash Liquid Laundry Detergent to the cold wash water and run the machine on a normal cycle. In situations where the dirt and grime on clothing is severe, please refer to the previous section of this document that identifies the various models of “Tri-Wash” recommended for application. In any circumstance where the wash results achieved are not satisfactory, repeat the wash cycle utilizing a stronger model of “Tri-Wash”, and/or a slightly larger amount of product, depending on the aspect of the previous wash cycle performance that you are attempting to address. Given the safe nature of “Tri-Wash” on most fabrics, the re-washing procedure may be repeated as many times as necessary to free the fibers of the encrusted dirt and filth.

If the cold water washing process is being performed by hand or in a pail, it is not necessary to intensely rub the washed items together by hand to achieve excellent results. Rather, it is sufficient to simply stir the wash water, following the addition of “Tri-Wash” detergent, with a clean wooden spoon or stick. In either instance, all washed items should be completely rinsed in cold water to insure the removal of even the smallest irritating particle of dirt or foam.

QUESTION #5

“WHAT OTHER LAUNDRY ORIENTED PRODUCTS DOES SIGMA DELTA MANUFACTURE AND HOW CAN I LEARN MORE ABOUT THEM?”

“HOW NECESSARY IS IT TO PRESOAK GARMENTS OR FABRICS BEFORE LAUNDERING THEM, AND DOES THIS HELP IN CLEANING?”

“Soaking” is a process, popular in Latin America and underdeveloped countries, that generally has little effect on the efficacy of any detergent involved. Also known as “remojo”, soaking seeks to loosen dirt and grit by pre treating items to be washed by putting them for a period of time in water, with/without the benefit of laundry detergent being involved. In the case of “Tri-Wash”, any soaking process is completely unnecessary as the “Tri-Wash” formula already contains a proprietary element that causes an electrostatic reaction during the conversion of the wash water to a solvent that contributes to the removal, suspension and break up of the solid particles of the dirt whether there had been any pre-soaking or not. This process similarly results in an agglomeration of the dirt particles and in the washing process that serves as a catalyst to peptization of this material and facilitates its suspension and discharge in the wash water. Despite this property, should a client deem it prudent for any reason to pre-soak garments in water before laundering, it is strongly recommended that this process be limited to a duration of three (3) hours or less so as to avoid a number of unforeseen issues that could serve to cause damage to the treated items. As above, should the responses detailed in this document not address your specific question or concern, you are encouraged to contact Sigma Delta’s customer service department using the "contact us" link found above.