detergents
Soap's modern cousins
Detergents are cleaning agents that help remove dirt, grease, and grime from surfaces.
The term covers both soaps and synthetic cleaning compounds, though in everyday speech detergent usually means the synthetic kind—what you put in a washing machine or dishwasher: laundry detergent, dish detergent.
Unlike traditional soaps, synthetic detergents work well in hard water and don't leave residue.
Fatty alkali cleanser
- surfactantSurface tension lowering compound
- bleachChemical stain and germ killer
- solventDissolving liquid or financially stable
- degreaserOil-dissolving cleaner
enzymes · suds · foam · rinse · emulsify · saponify · spot-clean · scouring
Fine dry particles
- liquidFree-flowing substance
- podsEnclosed natural containers
- capsulesEncased doses of medicine
- clothesFabric worn on body
stains · agitation · drum · load · delicates · spin · brighteners · whiteners
Able to decompose naturally
- non-toxicCauses no harm
- plant-basedSourced from flora
- sustainableAble to endure long-term
- hypoallergenicUnlikely to cause reactions
fragrance-free · dye-free · concentrated · refillable · zero-waste · organic · method
Kills or inhibits germs
- disinfectantAgent destroying surface pathogens
- germicideAgent that kills microbes
- antisepticMicrobe-killing substance
- bactericidalAble to destroy microbes
fungicide · sanitizer · hygiene · hospital-grade · pathogen · sterilize · decontaminate
Appliance that cleans cookware
- tabletsFlat portable computing devices
- cascadeSuccessive downward flow
- spongeAbsorbent cleaning material
- glasswareDrinking containers of silica
spotless · film · residue · hand-washing · automatic · squeaky-clean
Pleasing olfactory quality
- freshNewly made, not stale
- linenFlax-derived textile
- citrusAcidic fruits with segments
- lavenderFragrant herb, pale violet
pine · floral · spring · eucalyptus · perfumed · aromatherapy · unscented · masking
Chemically burning; bitterly mocking
- alkalineHaving high pH
- anionicCarrying negative charge
- cationicHaving lost electrons
- emulsifierCombines immiscible liquids
biocides · descaler · defoamer · wastewater · heavy-duty · bulk · degreasing
soap
Fatty alkali cleanser
- surfactantSurface tension lowering compound
- bleachChemical stain and germ killer
- solventDissolving liquid or financially stable
degreaser · enzymes · suds · foam · rinse · emulsify · saponify · spot-clean · scouring · scrubbing
powder
Fine dry particles
clothes · stains · agitation · drum · load · delicates · spin · brighteners · whiteners · prewash
biodegradable
Able to decompose naturally
- non-toxicCauses no harm
- plant-basedSourced from flora
- sustainableAble to endure long-term
hypoallergenic · fragrance-free · dye-free · concentrated · refillable · zero-waste · organic · method
antibacterial
Kills or inhibits germs
- disinfectantAgent destroying surface pathogens
- germicideAgent that kills microbes
- antisepticMicrobe-killing substance
bactericidal · fungicide · sanitizer · hygiene · hospital-grade · pathogen · sterilize · decontaminate
dishwasher
Appliance that cleans cookware
- tabletsFlat portable computing devices
- cascadeSuccessive downward flow
- spongeAbsorbent cleaning material
glassware · spotless · film · residue · hand-washing · automatic · squeaky-clean
fragrance
Pleasing olfactory quality
lavender · pine · floral · spring · eucalyptus · perfumed · aromatherapy · unscented · masking · long-lasting
caustic
Chemically burning; bitterly mocking
emulsifier · biocides · descaler · defoamer · wastewater · heavy-duty · bulk · degreasing
- industrial suppliesfasteners, bolts, screws, washers, bearings
- farm hygienebarn cleaning, biosecurity, cleaning, disinfection, hygiene protocols
- surfactantssurfactant, surfactants, soap, soaps, emulsifier
- chemicalschemicals, compounds, acids, reagents, solutions
- Chemical Industrychemical engineering, chemical manufacturing, chemical plants, industrial chemistry, petrochemicals
- cleaning sciencesurfactants, disinfectants, sanitizers, solvents, enzymes
detergentsplain water
Unadorned drinking liquid
water · pure water · rinse water · solvents
- laundry detergentFabric cleaning solution
- dish detergentSoap for cleaning tableware
- liquid detergentPourable fabric cleanser
- dishwasher detergentSoap for automatic cleaning
- powder detergentDry soap for clothes
- baby detergentMild soap for infant garments