Detergency

Detergency is the process by which cleaning agents, like soaps and detergents, remove dirt, grease, and stains from surfaces or fabrics. These cleaning agents contain molecules called surfactants that have two parts: one that bonds with water and another that bonds with grease and dirt. When used with water, surfactants surround and lift away unwanted substances, allowing them to be rinsed away easily. In essence, detergency is the chemical mechanism that makes cleaning effective by breaking down and dispersing impurities so they can be washed away.