Detergents are substances that act as cleansing agents when mixed with water. There are two main types of detergents: soapy and soapless. Most soapless detergents are made from oil products. The soapless detergents include powders and liquids used to wash clothes and dishes in a dishwasher. Some are made using petrochemicals, while others are made using alcohols and ethylene oxide that are petrochemical products.
