Electric Charge

• One of the first ways that laundry detergent works is by using electrical charges to its advantage. Most laundry detergents have added ingredients known as anionic surfactants. Anionic surfactants work by attaching itself both to the the soil or dirt, as well as the surface of the garments being washed. This gives the clothing and the dirt in the washing machine the same charge. Two charges that are the same cannot attract to one another. This causes the dirt to repel from the clothing, removing the dirt from the clothing, as well as keeping the dirt from depositing back on the clothing once the wash cycle has completed.
  
  

Surface Tension

• Without laundry detergent, water is not able to fully penetrate the fibers of the garments being washed. This is why laundry detergents employ neutrally charged surfactants that lower the surface tension of the water in the washing machine. As the surface tension lowers, the interfacial tension also decreases. This allows the water and detergent to penetrate deep into the fabric, loosen up any stains, and release the particles of the stain into the wash water.
  
  

Enzymes

• Some laundry detergents also work by employing the power of enzymes. Some brands may even use up to four different enzymes to help strengthen the cleaning power of the detergent. The most common enzymes are proteases, lipases amylases and cellulases. Enzymes work by targeting specific common stain components and breaking them down. This allows the detergent to more easily remove the stain from the fabric.
  
  

Bleach

• Some brands of detergent may also employ bleach to help clean laundry. Bleach works in two main ways. First, bleach combines with dirt and other soils to form a chemical reaction. This reaction breaks down the stain particles and helps remove them from the clothing. Bleach also works by naturally whitening and brightening clothing; However, in high enough quantities, bleach can also cause spotting and discoloration of colored clothing in the wash.