23/09/2026
Have you ever wondered why EDTA is used in liquid detergents, handwash, floor cleaners and other cleaning products?
When I first started paying more attention to raw materials, I realised that it is not enough to know the name of a chemical. You should also understand what it is doing inside your product.
EDTA is a good example.
EDTA means Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid. It is a chelating agent.
In simple terms, a chelating agent can bind certain metal ions such as calcium and magnesium.
Why does that matter in cleaning products?
Water can contain minerals, especially calcium and magnesium. These minerals can interfere with some ingredients in a formulation.
EDTA helps by binding these metal ions and keeping them from interfering as much with the formulation.
That is one reason you will find EDTA used in products such as liquid detergents, handwash, shampoos and different types of cleaners.
But there is another part that producers need to understand.
EDTA is available in different forms.
You may come across EDTA acid, Disodium EDTA and Tetrasodium EDTA.
They are related, but they are not simply interchangeable in every formulation.
Pure EDTA acid has limited water solubility, so you cannot just assume that adding it directly to a water-based product will give you the result you want.
Disodium EDTA and Tetrasodium EDTA are salts of EDTA and are much more water-soluble, which makes them more practical for many water-based formulations.
The choice between them also depends on the formulation and its pH.
For example, Tetrasodium EDTA is commonly used where an alkaline formulation is involved, while Disodium EDTA is commonly considered for formulations around acidic to neutral conditions. But the actual choice should still be based on the complete formulation, not just the name of the product.
This is why I always say that knowing the name of a chemical is not the same as understanding the chemical.
If you are producing cleaning products, don't just ask, “Which chemical should I buy?”
Ask:
What does this raw material do?
Which form am I buying?
What pH range is it suitable for?
How does it dissolve?
How much do I actually need?
And how should I handle and store it?
Understanding these things can help you avoid buying the wrong form, struggling with dissolution, wasting raw materials and making unnecessary changes to your production.
If you need Disodium EDTA, Tetrasodium EDTA or other cleaning raw materials, you can contact Bosem Prime.
Tell us what you want to produce and the raw material you need. We can discuss the available option and the basic information you should know before buying.
Don't just buy a chemical because somebody said it is good for soap production. Understand what you are buying and why you need it.
I am Mary Abosede Ajegbeyi
Founder, Bosem Prime
Helping you stop struggling with cleaning and get real results.
Bosem Prime Limited
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