Member’s Mark Liquid Laundry Detergent, Fresh Scent

A robust, high-efficiency liquid detergent featuring a triple-enzyme blend, optical brighteners, and strong surfactants designed for deep stain removal, though containing potential allergens like isothiazolinones.

Performance Rating: 4.5

This formulation represents a high-tier heavy-duty detergent. It features a robust tri-surfactant system (Alcohol Ethoxylates, SLES, and Alkylbenzenesulfonate) to tackle oil, particulate, and grease. The inclusion of a triple enzyme blend (Protease, Amylase, Mannanase) ensures effective breakdown of proteins, starches, and food gums. Additionally, advanced anti-redeposition polymers (Polyethyleneimine alkoxylated) and optical brighteners significantly enhance cleaning efficiency and fabric whiteness.

Safety Rating: 2.0

The safety rating is lowered primarily by the presence of Methylisothiazolinone (MIT) and Methylchloroisothiazolinone (CMIT), which are potent preservatives known to be strong skin sensitizers and contact allergens. The formula also contains Fragrances and Ethanolamines (TEA, MEA), which can be irritating to sensitive skin and respiratory systems. Furthermore, ethoxylated ingredients like SLES carry a risk of 1,4-dioxane contamination.

Final Rating: 3.4

This product is chemically engineered for superior cleaning performance, likely comparable to leading market brands. However, the trade-off is a harsh chemical profile regarding skin safety and environmental impact. It is an excellent choice for removing tough stains on durable fabrics but is not recommended for babies or individuals with sensitive skin due to the allergenic preservatives.

Verdict

This liquid laundry detergent represents a heavy-duty cleaning formulation engineered to tackle a wide spectrum of household stains. At its core, the product relies on a potent mix of anionic and non-ionic surfactants, specifically Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) and Sodium C10-16 alkylbenzenesulfonate. These ingredients are industry standards for breaking down grease and lifting particulate soil from fabrics. The cleaning power is significantly boosted by the inclusion of polyethyleneimine alkoxylated, a polymer that excels at suspending dirt in the wash water to prevent it from redepositing onto clothes, ensuring a cleaner final result. The formula distinguishes itself with a sophisticated triple-enzyme system comprising Protease, Amylase, and Mannanase. This biological trio targets specific stubborn soils: protease breaks down proteins like blood and grass, amylase tackles starches found in sauces and gravies, and mannanase degrades gum-based thickeners often found in processed foods and cosmetics. This makes the detergent highly effective for families dealing with food spills and outdoor grime. To handle water hardness, Sodium Citrate and Tetrasodium Iminodisuccinate act as chelators, binding minerals that would otherwise interfere with the surfactants, thereby maintaining cleaning efficiency even in hard water conditions. Furthermore, the inclusion of Fluorescent Brightener 28 ensures that white fabrics appear visually brighter by absorbing UV light and re-emitting it as visible blue light, countering the natural yellowing of cotton over time. However, consumers should be cautious regarding the preservation and sensory additives. The product contains Methylisothiazolinone (MIT) and Methylchloroisothiazolinone (CMIT), which are highly effective preservatives but are also well-documented contact allergens that can cause skin irritation in sensitized individuals. When combined with synthetic fragrances and Triethanolamine, the risk of contact dermatitis increases for those with compromised skin barriers. While the formula is chemically designed for superior performance and whitening, it prioritizes cleaning strength over gentleness. It is an excellent choice for heavily soiled everyday laundry but may be too harsh for those requiring hypoallergenic solutions or for washing delicate infant clothing.

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Ingredient Evaluation

📁 Solvents / 溶剂

🧪 water / 水

Purpose: Dissolves other ingredients and acts as the liquid base.

Concerns: None.

Notes: The primary component of liquid detergent.

📁 Surfactants / 表面活性剂

🧪 C12-15 alcohols ethoxylated / C12-15 醇聚醚

Purpose: Non-ionic surfactant used for breaking down grease and oil stains.

Concerns: Can be toxic to aquatic life; potential for contamination with ethylene oxide (carcinogen) or 1,4-dioxane depending on manufacturing process.

Notes: Effective in various water hardness levels.

🧪 sodium laureth sulfate / 月桂醇聚醚硫酸酯钠

Purpose: Anionic surfactant responsible for foaming and removing dirt.

Concerns: Potential for skin irritation; possible contamination with 1,4-dioxane (a probable carcinogen), though usually monitored in detergents.

Notes: Commonly referred to as SLES.

🧪 sodium C10-16 alkylbenzenesulfonate / C10-16 烷基苯磺酸钠

Purpose: Anionic surfactant acting as a heavy-duty cleaner.

Concerns: Can be irritating to skin and eyes; generally biodegradable.

Notes: Often the ‘workhorse’ surfactant in laundry formulas.

🧪 C8-18 fatty acid amide MEA / C8-18 脂肪酸酰胺 MEA

Purpose: Foam booster and stabilizer; helps suspend soils.

Concerns: Potential for nitrosamine formation if precursors are present; skin irritant.

Notes: Similar function to Cocamide MEA.

📁 Builders and Chelators / 助洗剂和螯合剂

🧪 sodium citrate / 柠檬酸钠

Purpose: Water softener; binds to minerals in hard water to allow surfactants to work better.

Concerns: None; generally considered safe and eco-friendly.

Notes: Derived from citric acid.

🧪 tetrasodium iminodisuccinate / 亚氨基二琥珀酸四钠

Purpose: Chelating agent; helps preserve the product and boosts cleaning efficiency.

Concerns: Low concern; considered a biodegradable alternative to EDTA.

Notes: Improves stability of the formula.

🧪 MEA-citrate / MEA 柠檬酸盐

Purpose: Buffer and cleaning aid.

Concerns: See concerns for Ethanolamine; generally safe in formulation limits.

Notes: Salt formed from neutralizing citric acid with monoethanolamine.

📁 pH Adjusters and Stabilizers / pH调节剂和稳定剂

🧪 triethanolamine / 三乙醇胺

Purpose: pH adjuster and buffer.

Concerns: Respiratory sensitizer; potential to form carcinogenic nitrosamines if mixed with nitrosating agents.

Notes: Helps maintain product stability.

🧪 ethanolamine / 乙醇胺

Purpose: Alkaline substance used to adjust pH.

Concerns: Can be corrosive/irritating to skin and respiratory tract in pure form; hazardous to aquatic environments.

Notes: Also acts as a solvent.

🧪 calcium chloride / 氯化钙

Purpose: Viscosity modifier; stabilizes enzymes to prevent them from denaturing.

Concerns: Can be irritating to eyes.

Notes: Essential for maintaining the effectiveness of the enzymes in the bottle.

📁 Polymers and Anti-redeposition Agents / 聚合物和抗再沉积剂

🧪 polyethyleneimine alkoxylated / 烷氧基化聚乙烯亚胺

Purpose: Soil suspension polymer; keeps dirt in the water and prevents it from settling back onto clothes.

Concerns: Synthetic polymer; biodegradability varies.

Notes: Key for ‘whiteness maintenance’.

🧪 sodium polyacrylate / 聚丙烯酸钠

Purpose: Dispersing agent and anti-redeposition agent.

Concerns: Not easily biodegradable.

Notes: Helps suspend particulate soil.

📁 Enzymes / 酶制剂

🧪 protease enzyme / 蛋白酶

Purpose: Breaks down protein-based stains like blood, grass, and egg.

Concerns: Potential respiratory allergen if inhaled (mostly an issue in manufacturing); skin irritation.

Notes: Biological catalyst.

🧪 amylase enzyme / 淀粉酶

Purpose: Breaks down starch-based stains like pasta, potatoes, and gravy.

Concerns: Potential respiratory allergen.

Notes: Works specifically on carbohydrates.

🧪 mannanase enzyme / 甘露聚糖酶

Purpose: Breaks down mannan-based stains found in gums, thickeners, and some cosmetics.

Concerns: Potential respiratory allergen.

Notes: Targets specific food thickener stains.

📁 Aesthetics and Optical Brighteners / 感官添加剂和荧光增白剂

🧪 fluorescent brightener 28 sodium salt / 荧光增白剂 28 钠盐

Purpose: Optical brightener; absorbs UV light and emits blue light to make yellowing fabrics appear whiter.

Concerns: Can accumulate in the environment; potential photo-irritant.

Notes: Does not remove stains, only alters visual perception.

🧪 fragrances / 香精

Purpose: Adds scent to the laundry.

Concerns: Common cause of contact dermatitis; may contain phthalates or undocumented allergens.

Notes: Specific composition is usually proprietary.

🧪 colorants / 着色剂

Purpose: Gives the detergent its color.

Concerns: Some dyes can be irritating or contain heavy metals (rare in modern detergents).

Notes: Purely aesthetic.

📁 Preservatives / 防腐剂

🧪 methylisothiazolinone / 甲基异噻唑啉酮

Purpose: Prevents bacterial and fungal growth in the product.

Concerns: Known skin sensitizer and allergen; causes contact dermatitis in some individuals.

Notes: Often abbreviated as MIT.

🧪 methylchloroisothiazolinone / 甲基氯异噻唑啉酮

Purpose: Strong preservative used in conjunction with MIT.

Concerns: Strong allergen and skin sensitizer.

Notes: Often abbreviated as CMIT; usually found in a blend with MIT.