Characteristics of Biodegradable Car Shampoos in Terms of Performance and Environmental Properties

The developing chemical industry increasingly emphasizes environmentally friendly products. As consumers’ environmental awareness grows, so do their expectations of cleaning products, which must not only maintain high cleaning efficacy but also be safe for both humans and the environment. However, previous studies have not evaluated biodegradability potential alongside chemical integrity, preservation efficacy, packaging stability, interfacial performance, and consumer acceptance within a unified framework. The aim of this study was to analyze two proprietary formulations of car shampoo concentrates. Both products were assessed for basic physicochemical parameters and analyzed using chromatographic techniques, which revealed no presence of by-products or harmful substances. Subsequently, compatibility tests were conducted with PET bottles, monitoring mass loss, pH, viscosity, turbidity, and fluorescent polymer content over several months. In addition, surface tension analysis was performed using the Wilhelmy plate method, and biodegradability tests were conducted in accordance with OECD 301B in an aquatic environment, yielding 100% potential biodegradation results for both shampoos. Finally, a consumer analysis was also carried out, based on which a formulation with more favorable performance properties was selected. The integrated results provide system-level evidence that environmental performance can coexist with formulation robustness and consumer usability.