"It is usually a highly-foaming mixture of surfactants with low skin irritation.""Some commonly encountered surfactants of each type include: Ionic Anionic (based on sulfate, sulfonate or carboxylate anions) Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), ammonium lauryl sulfate, and other alkyl sulfate salts Sodium laureth sulfate, also known as sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES) Alkyl benzene sulfonate Soaps, or fatty acid salts Cationic (based on quaternary ammonium cations) Cetyl trimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) a.k.a. hexadecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide, and other alkyltrimethylammonium salts Cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) Polyethoxylated tallow amine (POEA) Benzalkonium chloride (BAC) Benzethonium chloride (BZT) Zwitterionic (amphoteric) Dodecyl betaine Dodecyl dimethylamine oxide Cocamidopropyl betaine Coco ampho glycinate Nonionic Alkyl poly(ethylene oxide) Copolymers of poly(ethylene oxide) and poly(propylene oxide) (commercially called Poloxamers or Poloxamines) Alkyl polyglucosides, including: Octyl glucoside Decyl maltoside Fatty alcohols Cetyl alcohol Oleyl alcohol Cocamide MEA, cocamide DEA, cocamide TEA""Detergents, especially those made for use with water, often include different components such as: Surfactants to 'cut' grease and to wet surfaces Abrasive to scour Substances to modify pH or to affect performance or stability of other ingredients, acids for descaling or caustics to break down organic compounds Water softeners to counteract the effect of "hardness" ions on other ingredients oxidants (oxidizers) for bleaching, disinfection, and breaking down organic compounds Non-surfactant materials that keep dirt in suspension Enzymes to digest proteins, fats, or carbohydrates in stains or to modify fabric feel Ingredients that modify the foaming properties of the cleaning surfactants, to either stabilize or counteract foam Ingredients that affect the aesthetic properties, such as optical brighteners, fabric softeners, colors, perfumes, etc. Washing agents may contain soap for the purpose of reducing foam rather than cleaning fabric."
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