The six main ingredients in detergents
Laundry ingredients are designed to work deep within the fibres of the clothes even at low temperatures, and generally contain the following ingredients.
Oxygen Bleach
Removes coloured stains as well as whitening stained laundry
Surfactants
These remove greasy stains from fabrics. They surround and lift the greasy stain and prevent it from falling back onto the clothes.
Washing in hard water is a more difficult environment for surfactants and prevent them from cleaning as efficiently. This is why detergents also contain a builder and why you need more detergent in hard water areas.
Builders
These remove water hardness, allowing the surfactants to remove the greasy stains
Enzymes
These are highly efficient and so you only need small amounts. They are great a breaking down and removing tough stains. They work like a lock and key mechanism: one type of enzyme being effective for a particular category of soils and stains. The best detergents use a combination of enzymes to get the best results.
Polymers
Take the stains which have been removed from your laundry and hold them in the water to prevent them getting back onto your clothes.
Perfumes
Ensure your laundry smells fresh and clean.