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 carboxylate (of soap) to bind to calcium and other ions found in hard water.
In most household contexts, the term detergent by itself refers specifically to laundry detergent or dish detergent, as opposed to hand soap or other types of cleaning agents. Detergents are commonly available as powders or concentrated solutions. Detergents, like soaps, work because they are amphiphilic: partly hydrophilic (polar) and partly hydrophobic (non-polar). Their dual nature facilitates the mixture of hydrophobic compounds (like oil and grease) with water. Because air is not hydrophilic, detergents are also foaming agents to varying degrees.
Detergents are available in three forms, namely powder detergent, bar detergent and liquid detergent. Powder detergents are widely accepted by Indian consumers and dominate the industry. Even though detergent bars are still used in rural areas, they are fast disappearing from the market because of ineffectiveness.
The detergent industry is an international industry which has been increasing by multiple percents every year. It is an integration of diverse companies that are fundamentally engaged in manufacturing synthetic organic detergents, inorganic alkaline detergents, and crude and refined glycerin from vegetable oils and animal fats. The industry is further expected to grow in both the industrialized as well as in the developing nations.