This publication is a Science for Policy report by the Joint Research Centre, the European Commission's in-house science service. It aims to provide evidence-based scientific support to the European policy-making process. The scientific output expressed does not imply a policy position of the European Commission. Neither the European Commission nor any person acting on behalf of the Commission is responsible for the use which might be made of this publication.

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The article contains sections titled: 1. Historical Review 2. Physical Chemistry of the Washing Process 2.1. Introduction to the Washing Process 2.2. Components 2.2.1. Substrates 2.2.2. Washing Liquid/Water 2.2.3. Soils 2.3. Wetting/Adsorption on Surfaces 2.3.1. Wetting 2.3.2. Drainage 2.3.3. Adsorption Layer 2.4. Soil Removal and Stabilization 2.4.1. Builders 2.4.1.1. Overview on Builder Systems 2.4.1.2. Precipitation Builders 2.4.1.3. Complexing Agents 2.4.1.4. Ion Exchangers 2.4.1.5. Cobuilders 2.4.1.6. Soluble Builders 2.4.2. Oily Soil 2.4.3. Particulate Soil 2.4.4. Chemical Reactions 2.4.4.1. Bleachable Stains 2.4.4.2. Enzymatic Soil Removal 2.4.5. Soil‐Repelling Effects 2.5. Formulation 2.5.1. Foam 2.5.2. Microemulsion 2.5.3. Phase Stability 2.5.4. Softeners 2.6. Concluding Remarks

The article contains sections titled: 1. Detergent Ingredients 1.1. Surfactants 1.1.1. Anionic Surfactants 1.1.2. Nonionic Surfactants 1.1.2.1. Alcohol Ethoxylates (AE) 1.1.2.2. Alkylphenol Ethoxylates (APE) 1.1.2.3. Fatty Acid Alkanolamides (FAA) 1.1.2.4. Alkylamine Oxides 1.1.2.5. N ‐Methylglucamides (NMG) 1.1.2.6. Alkylpolyglycosides (APG) 1.1.3. Cationic Surfactants 1.1.4. Amphoteric Surfactants 1.2. Builders 1.2.1. Alkalies 1.2.2. Complexing Agents 1.2.3. Ion Exchangers 1.2.4. Builder Combinations 1.3. Bleaches 1.3.1. Bleach‐Active Compounds 1.3.2. Bleach Activators 1.3.3. Bleach Catalysts 1.3.4. Bleach Stabilizers 1.4. Further Detergent Ingredients 1.4.1. Enzymes 1.4.2. Soil Antiredeposition Agents, Soil Repellent/Soil Release Agents 1.4.3. Foam Regulators 1.4.4. Corrosion Inhibitors 1.4.5. Fluorescent Whitening Agents 1.4.6. Dye Transfer Inhibitors 1.4.7. Fragrances 1.4.8. Dyes 1.4.9. Fillers and Formulation Aids 2. Laundry Products 2.1. Heavy‐Duty Detergents 2.1.1. Conventional Powder Heavy‐Duty Detergents 2.1.2. Compact and Supercompact Heavy‐Duty Detergents 2.1.3. Extruded Heavy Duty Detergents 2.1.4. Heavy‐Duty Detergent Tablets 2.1.5. Color Heavy‐Duty Detergents 2.1.6. Liquid Heavy‐Duty Detergents 2.2. Specialty Detergents 2.2.1. Powder Specialty Detergents 2.2.2. Liquid Specialty Detergents 2.3. Laundry Aids 2.3.1. Pretreatment Aids 2.3.2. Boosters 2.3.3. Aftertreatment Aids 2.3.3.1. Fabric Softeners 2.3.3.2. Stiffeners 2.3.3.3. Laundry Dryer Aids 2.3.4. Other Laundry Aids 2.3.4.1. Refreshing Products for Dryer Application 2.3.4.2. Odor Removers for Washer Application 3. Industrial and Institutional Detergents