what is detergent

A detergent is a chemical substance that has cleansing properties when in dilute solutions. It is a surfactant or a mixture of surfactants that can break up and remove grease and grime. Unlike soap, which is a salt of the natural fatty acid, detergents are synthetic cleaning compounds. They are available in the form of powders or liquids and are used for removing dirt from clothes, dishes, and other surfaces. Detergents are used in a wide range of household cleaning products such as laundry detergent and dish detergent, which are complex mixtures of different compounds, not all of which are detergents. The ability of a detergent to remove unwanted substances from a substrate is called detergency. Detergents are more versatile than soap and can be formulated to include other additives. They can perform well in any water temperature, making them suitable for use in everything from shampoo to laundry liquid to hand cleansers and stain removers.