If you are looking to thicken your sodium laureth sulfate detergent without using sodium chloride salt (NaCl), then you still have few other electrolytes that can do the job just fine. You may choose between using ammonium chloride or sodium sulfate as your final thinking agent.

Keep in mind that only a very little amount of sodium sulfate is needed and thickness of the detergent also depends on its pH. Therefore the pH of the formulation must be increased or decreased to about 6.0 using sodium hydroxide or citric acid.

How to Thicken SLES Liquid detergent

1. Pour 950g of SLES formulation into a bowl or beaker.
2. Dissolve 10g citric acid in about 50g water and add a little at a time while checking with the pH meter (stir gently each time) until the pH is adjusted to 6.0
3. Add 5g of ammonium chloride or sodium sulfate and stir vigorously until the detergent thickens into a white foamy mixture.
4. Set aside overnight for suds to clear out.