What we see in surfactants

The fourth and forceful member of the soft-wash solution.

We'll start off easy. Surfactant is an additive, the final contributor to the soft-wash process. When it comes to our solution, we've already combined water, bleach, and soap. Surfactant is icing on the cake.

For one, it increases viscosity, thickness. Turns the consistency of the solution into something like maple syrup, which keeps it on the surface so it can do its job longer (as opposed to just running off).

Surfactant is also a wetting agent, it keeps the mixture wet for longer. On hot days, that's a massive help. Especially in Tennessee, it's better for the solution to have a little longer to do its job; this ensures the organisms it's attacking have no chance of survival.

The cover scent is another massive plus. Necessary, no, but definitely desirable. It's a way to tell where the solution has been, and that it's worked well. Some surfactants take on a lemon or cherry scent, and it only adds to the cleansing satisfaction!

Lastly, surfactant is a kind of soap. Not the main soap in the mixture, no, but a powerful aid in wrapping around molecules and breaking surface tension. It's like the soldier who opens the gates so the rest of his army can flood through. And when soft-washing does what it's meant to do, no bacteria stands a chance. Water, bleach, soap, and surfactant combine into an unstoppable force that demands cleanliness. That's a perfect win for everyone.