The “Old Engineer” Intro
99% of the time, we use Sodium (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate). But sometimes, Sodium isn’t good enough. That’s when we call in the “Special Forces”: Lithium (LDS), Ammonium (ALS/ALES), or Magnesium salts.
- LDS (Lithium Dodecyl Sulfate): The Cold Warrior
Why use Lithium? Because it dissolves incredibly fast and it doesn’t freeze easily.
- The Use: You mostly see this in specialized carpet cleaners or low-temperature applications.
- The Price: It is very expensive. Do not use this for cheap dish soap. You will go bankrupt.
- Ammonium Salts (ALS / ALES): The Salon Choice
If you look at expensive salon shampoos, you might see “Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate.”
- Why? It has a lower pH and is very gentle on hair. It releases flavor/fragrance better than sodium salts.
- The Catch: It smells a bit like ammonia if you aren’t careful with the pH. It is harder to formulate.
- Magnesium Salts: The Mildest
These are very rare but very mild. They are sometimes used in baby products or facial cleansers. They are extremely gentle on the eyes and skin.
The Takeaway: Only look for these if you are making a high-price, specialized product. For general washing, stick to Sodium.
