Editing Detergent (section)

==Definitions==
{{wiktionary|detergent}}

The word ''detergent'' is derived from the Latin adjective ''detergens'', from the verb ''detergere'', meaning to wipe or polish off. Detergent can be defined as a [[surfactant]] or a [[mixture]] of surfactants with cleansing properties when in [[Concentration|dilute]] [[Solution (chemistry)|solutions]].<ref name=":0"/> However, conventionally, detergent is used to mean synthetic cleaning compounds as opposed to ''[[soap]]'' (a salt of the natural [[fatty acid]]), even though soap is also a detergent in the true sense.<ref>{{cite book|author=NIIR Board of Consultants Engineers |title=The Complete Technology Book on Detergents |edition=2nd Revised|url={{Google Books |qgC_CwAAQBAJ|page=1|plain-url=yes}}|date=2013|isbn=9789381039199|page=1 |publisher=Niir Project Consultancy Services |via=Google Books}}</ref> In domestic contexts, the term ''detergent'' refers to household cleaning products such as ''[[laundry detergent]]'' or ''[[Dishwashing liquid|dish detergent]]'', which are in fact complex mixtures of different compounds, not all of which are by themselves detergents.

Detergency is the ability to remove unwanted substances termed 'soils' from a substrate (e.g., clothing).<ref>{{cite book|editor=Arno Cahn |title=5th World Conference on Detergents|url={{Google Books |VMqSJROG_WYC|page=154|plain-url=yes}}|date=2003|isbn=9781893997400|page=154 |publisher=The American Oil Chemists Society |via=Google Books}}</ref>