Detergents are frequently used and essential products in our lives, thanks to their ability to remove dirt, thus contributing to the reduction of the presence of germs and maintaining good personal hygiene. 

Until the end of 19th Century, however, soap was the only detergent with surfactant properties. Laundry detergent history began around the time of World War II. Despite soap products being used for cleaning bodies and clothing as far back as the time of the Egyptians, soap flakes fell out of use during World War II. Laundry detergent provided a cheaper, more efficient method for cleaning. This is according to Love to Know.

The 20th Century, according to eniscuola.net, was the period of first solutions based on the concentration of washing powders, which significantly reduced dose weight and volume used for washing. Standard packaging of concentrate contained more washing doses than traditional washing powders, the so-called "regular”. As technological experience was gained and research progressed, concentration of active ingredients was increased to the super-concentrated level, the so-called super concentrated or super compact washing detergents.  In doing so, the problem of packaging waste was reduced.

On the other hand, increased concentration of hazardous and noxious substances caused increasing risk of irritation to the consumer. Also, the use of the super compact washing powders increased the negative effects of overdosing.

The formulations of detergents currently in use are complex and diversified depending on their intended use. If we consider laundry detergents, for example, they must be able to carry out their "cleaning” action on various types of fabrics and stains, at different temperatures and in different conditions of water hardness. 

The first technological breakthrough, according to perlux.pl, came in 1907. The era of washing powders began, the first genuine washing powder with chemical bleaching function was developed. Consumers were freed from the need for onerous bleaching of fabrics. In 1913, first washing powders containing enzymes for soaking were introduced to the market. In the 1930s, "dethronement” of natural soap and soda began – the era of synthetic detergents (in other words surfactants) called at that time synthetic soap came. 

Next decades brought new ideas and discoveries that improved the comfort of washing. Massification of production favoured lower prices and widespread availability of washing powders.

In 1990, worldwide production of detergents (without soap) amounted approximately to 7 million tonnes, while washing powder to 12.7 million tonnes. 

For this reason, simple "soap” is no longer sufficient. All formulations include two main components: surfactants and hardness sequestrates (builders) which are the "backbone” of all detergents. Alongside these two functional families, detergents contain a series of adjuvants which confer specific characteristics and which differentiate the various formulations one from another.