Liquid Soap vs Detergent in sprays etc - what does this count as?

[Russel Sprout]

Hi gardeners

I've got some powdery mildew to deal with and have bought some potassium bicarbonate to make a homemade spray. I've got some neem oil in the house too, so may go belts and braces.

Recipes also suggest a small amount of liquid soap. And from memory the same is often used for aphid sprays. But I often hear warnings not to use detergent. I'm unsure of the technical difference and also unsure if there's a US/UK difference in the terms.

This is the washing up liquid I use:

https://biod.co.uk/shop/dishwashing/...-up-liquid-5l/

The ingredients/details are:
Above 30% Anionic Surfactant. Below 5%: Amphoteric Surfactant, Sodium Chloride, Citric Acid. pH 11.5

Is that ok to use? Is it a detergent or liquid soap?

If unsuitable, this is the body wash I use. Is it better?

https://www.faithinnature.co.uk/prod...ody-wash-400ml

The ingredients/details are:
Aqua (Water), Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate*, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside*, Cocamidopropyl Betaine*, Glycerin*, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil**, Citrus Paradisi (Grapefruit) Peel Oil*, Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil*, Citrus Reticulata (Tangerine) Peel Oil*, Cymbopogon Flexuosus Oil*, Cymbopogon Winterianus Herb Oil*, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Extract**, Tilia Cordata Flower Extract**, Sambucus Nigra Fruit Extract**, Tocopherol*, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil*, Maris Sal (Sea Salt), Curcumin*, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid*, Limonene*, Linalool*
[[*Plant derived **Organic certified]]

Any thoughts most appreciated.

Ta

[Jungle Jane]

I’d use the washing up liquid as it doesn’t have the fruit oils in it & has less ingredients & I use ecover washing up liquid on leaves with garlic spray for bugs & it seems similar ingredients.

[Russel Sprout]

That's a great help, thank you

[ameno]

The amount of washing up liquid you will be using is so small that it won't be harmful, anyway, even if it might be in greater concentrations.
You only need 1% or even 0.5% washing up liquid. It's there as a wetting agent (it reduces the water's cohesive properties, and thereby makes it stick to surfaces better than it otherwise would).

[Russel Sprout]

Excellent, thanks for explaining so clearly