What is the main ingredient in laundry detergent?

Author: Elisa Flatley DDS  |  Last update: Thursday, April 10, 2025

Laundry detergents typically contain ingredients like surfactants (to penetrate fabric fibers and remove dirt and oil), chelators (to surround metal ions in water), dispersion agents (to wash away dirt in the rinse cycle), stabilizers (to help ingredients work together), and fragrance.

What's the main ingredient in laundry detergent?

Components. Laundry detergents may contain builders (50% by weight, approximately), surfactants (15%), bleach (7%), enzymes (2%), soil antideposition agents, foam regulators, corrosion inhibitors, optical brighteners, dye transfer inhibitors, fragrances, dyes, fillers and formulation aids.

What is the main chemical in detergent?

Sodium carbonate (Na2CO3), also known as soda ash is a sodium product primarily used to make detergents and soaps. Sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) is an inorganic compound found in large natural deposits and mines. Its common name is washing soda and it is manufactured by the Solvay-ammonia process.

What is the healthiest laundry detergent to use?

Better Non Toxic Laundry Detergents
  • Truly Free Laundry Wash
  • Puracy Laundry Detergent
  • Grab Green
  • Molly's Suds Laundry Powder
  • Rebel Green
  • Charlie's Soap Laundry Powder
  • Aspen Clean Laundry Detergent Pods
  • Good Juju Laundry Detergent Strips

Does it really matter what laundry detergent you use?

But our tests of dozens of laundry detergents show there are significant differences from one formula to the next. Some detergents are effective at getting clothes clean while others barely clean better than running a wash cycle using nothing but water.

Detergent Washing Powder Making Process | Washing Powder Manufacturing in a Factory

What is the #1 dermatologist recommended laundry detergent?

all Free Clear is the #1 recommended detergent brand by dermatologists, allergists and pediatricians for sensitive skin. 100% free of perfumes and dyes, all Free Clear is Tough on Stains, Gentle on Skin.

What is the most active ingredient in detergent?

Alkylbenzene sulfonic acid – Also sometimes listed as linear alkylbenzenesulfonate, this is one of the most widely used anionic surfactants in the world. It's been around since 1964, and can be found in many liquid soaps, shampoos, dishwashing detergents and laundry detergents.

What is the best laundry detergent?

The Best Laundry Detergent
  • Top pick. Tide Ultra Oxi Powder Laundry Detergent. ...
  • Top pick. Tide Free & Gentle Liquid Laundry Detergent. ...
  • Runner-up. Persil Original Liquid Detergent Everyday Clean. ...
  • Also great. Tide Pods Free & Gentle Laundry Detergent. ...
  • Also great. Dirty Labs Free & Clear Bio Laundry Detergent.

What are synthetic detergents made of?

For domestic and laundry purposes nowadays, synthetic detergents like Surf, Ariel are used. These are made by sulfonating some higher alkenes with sulphuric acid and then converting them into their sodium salts by caustic soda.

How do you make homemade laundry detergent?

How to Make Homemade Detergent
  1. 1 5.5-ounce bar of pure soap (or 1 cup of soap flakes)
  2. 1 cup baking soda.
  3. 1 cup washing soda (sodium carbonate)
  4. 1/2 cup borax.

Why is Tide the best detergent?

Tide Hygienic Clean Free Power Pods

Tide is known for its effective products, so it's no surprise that it has the best laundry detergent for heavy-duty loads. The Tide Hygienic Clean Heavy Duty 10x Free Power Pods shine in effectiveness, and would likely have gotten rid of the stains completely with a pretreatment.

What did people use before laundry detergent?

Before the arrival of modern detergents, ancient civilizations utilized animal fat or lye for washing clothes. In certain instances, they also made use of chamber lye, a more informal term referring to urine. It wasn't until 1914 in Germany that Otto Rohm created the concept of adding enzymes to washing detergents.

What is the best formula for detergent?

They are usually made up of surfactants and are effective because they have an amphipathic structure which means that one side of the compound is hydrophobic which will avoid water whereas the other side is hydrophilic which will easily attach to water. The chemical formula for detergent is: C 18 H 29 NaO 3 S .

What is clean people detergent made of?

Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate – biodegradable cleaning agent. Glycereth-6 Cocoate – plant-derived and food grade, biodegradable and helps with foaming. Cocamidopropyl Betaine – derived from coconuts and helps clean and boost foam. Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside – a biodegradable mild surfactant used to increase foaming.

What is America's #1 detergent?

America's favorite detergent, Tide, has every laundry detergent you need - whether it's HE detergent or Tide PODS® with Febreze. Learn More. Our heritage - celebrating the last 75 years.

Is it better to use pods or liquid detergent?

If I'm doing an easy load that doesn't require any extra care, I'll toss in pods. For items that come home dirtier than usual, it's time for a tougher bio detergent probably in pod form. For anything that requires a gentle or handwash cycle, then a liquid detergent customized for silk or wool is a must.

What is the most natural laundry detergent?

The best non-toxic laundry detergent is one that delivers cleanliness to your clothes while ensuring safety and sustainability.
  • NaturOli* (Our Top Pick)
  • Truly Free*
  • Ecos Free & Clear*
  • Meliora Unscented Powder Detergent*
  • Molly's Suds*
  • Aspen*
  • ATTITUDE*
  • Clean Cult*

What is no 1 detergent powder?

We think that the Surf Excel Easy Wash Detergent Powder, Rin Advanced Detergent Powder, and Tide Plus Double Power Detergent Washing Powder are the best detergent powders in India.

What is the basic compound used in detergent?

The main compounds used in detergents are soda ash, acid slurry, sodium tripolyphosphate, sodium silicate, sodium sulphate, synthetic dye, soap stone and soda bicarbonate.

What detergent kills most bacteria?

Clorox Laundry Sanitizer, Kills 99.9% of Odor-Causing Bacteria on Laundry, 80 Fl Oz, Pack of 2.

What laundry detergent do hospitals use?

OTEX is considered the gold standard in laundry disinfection, trusted by hospitals, care homes and other social care organisations.

Is Persil better than Tide?

The ONLY detergent that gets out tough stains better than this stuff is Persil. And the difference is very very very small. So small I miight even be just imagining there is a difference when there is none really. I have seen a study that said Persil is 2% better so, I might be influenced by that study.

Is Arm and Hammer good laundry detergent?

Customers say that Arm & Hammer Plus OxiClean Fresh Scent laundry detergent effectively tackles tough stains while leaving clothes smelling fresh and clean. Many appreciate its pleasant scent, stain-fighting capabilities, and affordability, making it a popular choice for families.

Previous article
Are air fryers healthier than microwaves?
Next article
What is considered a utility room in a house?