Surfactants are compounds that allow oil and water to mix together to form an emulsion that suspends grease as droplets within water. This prevents the dirt from resettling onto the surface of the object being cleaned and allows them to be rinsed away. According to The Laundry Alternative, Inc., surfactants are classified based on electrical charge. Some are positive cationic, negative anionic, positive and negative amphoteric or neutral nonionic. They are formulated to control the detergent's foaming action.
The majority of people live in areas that contain hard water, meaning the water has a high concentration of minerals like calcium and magnesium. Hard water exposure makes the item being washed feel dry and rough and can cause a problem as a skin irritant. Hard water also lowers the effectiveness of surfactant action in detergents. According to "The Chemical Components of Detergents and Their Roles in the Washing Process", builders bind to hard water ions and allows surfactants to work more effectively. They also prevent the erosion of washing machines due to mineral exposure.
Bleaching agents are added to remove difficult stains and promote sanitization by killing bacteria and other microorganisms through chemical oxidation when added to hot water. They are known to effectively make colors brighter and prevent white fabrics from becoming dull over a period of extensive use. However, these agents, in higher concentrations, have been known to work too well and can also fade or completely remove color from fabric. The two most popular bleaching agents used in detergents are hydrogen peroxide and sodium hypochlorite.
Enzymes are molecules that break down stubborn dirt that cause stains and odors. Detergents utilize enzymes to break down biochemical dirt caused by fats, proteins and carbohydrates. Once the enzyme reacts with the target, it deactivates the compound, allowing it to be trapped by surfactants and rinsed away. Detergents that utilize higher concentrations of enzymes are used to clean up residual stains and odors left by organic dirt caused by animals and foods. Enzymes are completely biodegradable and pose no threat to the environment.
Many detergents are formulated with additives that the manufacturer uses to make their brand unique among others in the market. Fragrances and dyes give a detergent its signature smell and appearance. According to "The Chemical Components of Detergents and Their Roles in the Washing Process," filler ingredients are used to modify the thickness of liquid detergents and prevent long-term wear and tear on cleaning equipment. Some common additives include fabric softeners that protect against hard water and anti-redeposition compounds that prevent dirt from being able to bind to the surface of items being cleaned.