Detergent

A cleaning formulation that removes soils using surfactants and other ingredients. Its ingredients can help detach, disperse, or prevent the redeposition of dirt.

Surfactant: A substance that lowers surface or interfacial tension by accumulating at interfaces. Surfactants help water wet surfaces and detach greasy soils.
Builder (detergent): An ingredient that improves detergent performance by binding hardness ions or otherwise conditioning wash water. Builders reduce interference from calcium and magnesium in hard water.
Laundry detergent: A detergent formulated to clean textiles in handwashing or washing machines. It combines soil removal with fabric-care and wash-cycle requirements.
Soap: A salt of a fatty acid, commonly produced by reacting fats or oils with an alkali and used for cleaning. Unlike most synthetic detergents, soap can form insoluble deposits in hard water.
Hard water: Water containing appreciable dissolved calcium and magnesium ions. Hardness affects detergent efficiency and encourages the use of builders.
Micelle: An aggregate of surfactant molecules formed in a liquid, with hydrophobic regions gathered inside. Micelles can incorporate oily soil into water for removal.
Water softening: The reduction of dissolved calcium and magnesium ions that cause water hardness. Softened water allows surfactants to clean more effectively.
Dishwashing detergent: A detergent formulated to remove food soils from dishes, either by hand or machine. Its formulation addresses grease, food residues, and the demands of dishwashing.
Solvent cleaning: A cleaning method that uses a solvent to dissolve or carry away soils. Solvents can remove some grease without relying on water-based surfactant action.
Eutrophication: The enrichment of water with nutrients, often causing excessive algal growth and oxygen depletion. Phosphate builders in some detergents contributed nutrients to waterways.

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