Laundry detergent is a neutral liquid cleaning agent primarily composed of non-ionic surfactants; it is suitable for both hand-washing and machine-washing all types of water-washable garments. With a pH value close to neutral, it is characterized by strong solubility, ease of rinsing, and rapid biodegradability. Compliant with the QB/T 1224 industry standard, it causes less skin irritation compared to traditional laundry powders. Its main ingredients include non-ionic surfactants, along with auxiliary components such as builders, thickeners, and enzymes-the latter of which are capable of breaking down protein-based and oil-based stains.
Laundry detergent achieves cleaning by utilizing surfactants to lower the surface tension of water, thereby allowing the solution to penetrate garment fibers and encapsulate stains. When purchasing, consumers should look for characteristics such as a homogeneous appearance, a pure fragrance, and moderate viscosity; it is recommended to select products with an active matter content that meets established standards (typically ≥15% for standard formulas and ≥25% for concentrated formulas). The Chinese laundry detergent market has demonstrated an average annual growth rate of 27.2%, reaching a market size of tens of billions of RMB in 2023. By 2024, the market penetration rate for concentrated formulas reached 10.7%-though this figure remains significantly lower than the 96% adoption rate observed in European and North American countries. These products typically exhibit a biodegradability rate exceeding 90%, while their auxiliary agents effectively neutralize the adverse effects that calcium and magnesium ions in hard water can have on washing performance.