Chemistry
Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2017 5:12 pm
I worked with my granddaughter on a Science Fair Project. She wanted to find out which of three laundry detergents would best remove ketchup stain from 100 percent cotton fabric. We bought 3 detergents from a list of top 10 we found on line. One did not mention its ingredients. Another listed some ingredients and gave a website or 800 number to call. One listed all of its ingredients. She learned about surfacants and enzymes.
She tested each detergent for its ability to remove ketchup stains by putting the same amount of ketchup on cotton squares.Then like a normal 4th grader would do, she wiped off excess ketchup with a paper towel. The amount of water changed in each of three tests (500mL, 355mL, and 237mL). She used plastic containers with lids as "washing machines".
The amount of detergent remained the same each time: 1mL.
She chose the detergent that removed the stain best (but not completely)...now we have a question. Why did the the "washing machine" with the most water (500mL) remove each of the stains better than the other two lesser amounts of water?
We are thinking because ketchup contains vinegar which we found out contains 80% water, that it is a water-based stain and, therefore, required MORE water, rather than less to clean. We thought the same amount of detergent with less water would remove the stain better. Can you help us? Thank you so much. Pam Lillis (Gram) and Charlotte Patty (4th grader)
Note from moderator: It's better to keep your questions together in the same thread so the experts can keep track. Please be patient - sometimes the experts take a day or two to respond to all the questions!
She tested each detergent for its ability to remove ketchup stains by putting the same amount of ketchup on cotton squares.Then like a normal 4th grader would do, she wiped off excess ketchup with a paper towel. The amount of water changed in each of three tests (500mL, 355mL, and 237mL). She used plastic containers with lids as "washing machines".
The amount of detergent remained the same each time: 1mL.
She chose the detergent that removed the stain best (but not completely)...now we have a question. Why did the the "washing machine" with the most water (500mL) remove each of the stains better than the other two lesser amounts of water?
We are thinking because ketchup contains vinegar which we found out contains 80% water, that it is a water-based stain and, therefore, required MORE water, rather than less to clean. We thought the same amount of detergent with less water would remove the stain better. Can you help us? Thank you so much. Pam Lillis (Gram) and Charlotte Patty (4th grader)
Note from moderator: It's better to keep your questions together in the same thread so the experts can keep track. Please be patient - sometimes the experts take a day or two to respond to all the questions!