Sulphur
Sulphur is often present in detergents in the form of sodium sulphate. Under anaerobic conditions, sulphate is reduce to the sulphide ion which may give rise to hydrogen sulphide (rotten egg gas).
Figure F6-S Sulphur concentration from recommended dose of detergent in full wash for front loading washing machine (75 L)
Figure T6-S Sulphur concentration from recommended dose of detergent in full wash for top loading washing machine (150 L)
Assessment
The concentration of sulphur in laundry detergents may have a direct relationship to the amount of filler that is in a product, since sodium sulphate is often used as a "manufacturing agent" but takes almost no part in the wash effectiveness and requires extra water to wash it from the fabric during the rinse cycles.