detergent Meaning and Definition
1. n. a cleansing agent that differs from soap but can also emulsify oils and hold dirt in suspension
2. n. a surface-active chemical widely used in industry and laundering
3. s. having cleansing power
A detergent is a surfactant or a mixture of surfactants with "cleaning properties in dilute solutions." These substances are usually alkylbenzenesulfonates, a family of compounds that are similar to soap but are more soluble in hard water, because the polar sulfonate (of detergents) is less likely than the polar carboxyl (of soap) to bind to calcium and other ions found in hard water.
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