What are surfactants?

Surfactants, short for surface-active agents, are compounds that play a crucial role in cleaning by lowering the surface tension of water. This allows them to effectively break down and remove dirt, oil, and stains from surfaces, including fabrics. They work by surrounding and encapsulating the dirt and grease particles, making it easier for them to be washed away with water.

In the context of laundry, surfactants are essential components of many detergents, as they enhance the ability of these cleaning products to lift and remove various types of soil from clothes. Their unique chemical structure facilitates the interaction with both water and oil, which is key to effective cleaning processes. This understanding highlights why the identification of surfactants as chemicals that specifically break down and remove dirt, oil, and stains is fundamentally accurate and significant in consumer rights, especially regarding product labeling and efficacy.