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Main article: detergent
Many kinds of molecules and ions can serve as high-efficiency surfactants.
They are often classified according to the charge of the molecule or
ion, the three main classes being anionic, neutral, and cationic
detergents. Anionic detergents are most commonly encountered for
domestic laundry detergents. Detergents are ions or molecules that
contain both polar and nonpolar components. The polar component allows
the detergent to dissolve in the water, whereas the nonpolar portion
solubilizes greasy ("hydrophobic") materials that are the usual target
of the cleaning process. An estimated 6 billion kilograms of detergents
are produced annually for domestic markets.[5]