A relationship between mixtures of straightchain alkylbenzene sulfonates and their performances in light-duty dishwashing formulations has been established through studies of many pure isomers and isomer mixtures in both liquid and powder systems. The foam performance characteristics are shown to be directly related to carbon chain length, phenyl position, and water hardness in a readily calculable manner. Solubility studies on pure isomers are also reported.

A new procedure for evaluating dishwashing products has been developed. Good precision and favorable correlation with older methods are obtained with minimum requirements of manpower, time and materials.Hydrogenated vegetable oil shortening proves to be an ideal soil for dishwashing evaluation if the physical state of the soil is carefully controlled: With such control, it is seen that dishwashing performance is a linear function of detergent concentration. Fatty soil and its effect on foam is discussed and compared with other Soils. Variations of evaluation results with water hardness are described.