Detergents are a surfactant or a surfactant mixture having cleaning properties in dilute solutions. They are generally in powder form or in concentrated solutions. It is a very useful cleaning agent for cleaning detergents, laundry, dishes and other household surfaces. Water and soap were used to clean the laundry before the detergent was found.

The first use of soap 4800 began in Babylon years ago, and then became very popular in Egypt and Ancient Rome. The first synthetic detergents were experimentally produced in France in the mid-nineteenth century. The first industrial production began in Germany after the First World War. As the automatic washing machines became widespread since the 1950 years, the detergent sector has started to expand all over the world.

Detergents were first produced in Germany and the United States after the First World War. As the automatic washing machines became widespread since the years of 1950, the detergent industry has begun to expand all over the world. Detergent sales in 1953's in the US surpassed soap sales.

The detergent sector, up to the 1970, has a huge impact on the environment. Today, however, more environmentally friendly detergents are produced and biodegradability of detergents is provided to reduce environmental pollution.

Detergents are surfactants. That is, when used at very low concentrations, it greatly reduces the surface tension of the water.

The following are a few standards that are based on detergent testing by competent authorities:

• TS EN ISO 2871 Surfactants - Detergents - Determination of cationic active ingredient content

• TS ISO 2271 Surfactants - Detergents - Determination of anionic active substance by two-phase titration by manual or mechanical means

• TS EN ISO 2870 Surfactants - Detergents - Determination of hydrolysable and non-hydrolyzable anionic active substances under acidic conditions

• TS 5155 Laundry detergent - used in industrial washing machines

• TS 13773 Dishwashing detergent - Industrial

• TS 518 Synthetic detergents