Glossary
Surfactant — Glossary
The soap molecule — one end binds water, the other binds oil, letting water lift greasy residue away.
A surfactant is a two-faced molecule: one end is attracted to water, the other to oil. When it meets greasy residue, the oil-loving ends surround the grease and form micelles — packages the water can carry away.
Surfactants are the cleaning in most cleaners — they lift the residue enzymes then digest. Leftover surfactant film, though, holds odor and attracts new soil.