What Is Detergent Used For

What Is Detergent Used For? A Practical Guide for South African Homes and Businesses

Detergent is one of the most widely used cleaning products in South Africa, essential in homes, hospitality, healthcare, food processing, mining and many other sectors. Understanding what detergent is used for, how it works, and the different types available can help you choose the right product for effective and safe cleaning.

According to the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS), detergents in South Africa are regulated under several compulsory specifications for cleaning products, including standards for laundry and dishwashing detergents to ensure performance and safety for consumers and the environment, as outlined in SABS catalogues and standards documents available via the SABS publications directory and related regulatory notices published by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition.

What Is Detergent?

Detergent is a cleaning agent formulated to remove dirt, oils, food residues and other contaminants from surfaces and materials. Unlike traditional soap, detergents are often synthetic and are designed to work effectively in both soft and hard water.

In South Africa, most household and industrial detergents are classified as chemical cleaning agents and fall under broader chemical and consumer regulations administered by national regulators such as the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) and the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS), as reflected in public regulatory and standards information on their official platforms.

How Detergents Work

Detergents contain surfactants – surface-active agents – that reduce the surface tension of water. This allows water to spread and penetrate more easily into fabrics and over surfaces. A typical detergent formulation may include:

Surfactants (to lift and emulsify oils and soils)
Builders (to soften water and enhance cleaning efficiency)
Enzymes (to break down protein and starch-based stains)
Optical brighteners (in many laundry products, to enhance whiteness)
Fragrances and dyes
Preservatives and stabilisers

These functional components and their roles are described in detail in technical and regulatory materials produced for the cleaning and detergent sector, such as guidelines for detergent composition and performance published through standards bodies, sector briefs, and publicly accessible regulatory resources.

Main Uses of Detergent

1. Laundry Cleaning

One of the most common answers to what is detergent used for is laundry. Laundry detergents are formulated to remove:

General dirt and dust
Body oils and sweat
Food and drink stains
Grass, mud and other outdoor soils

In South Africa, laundry detergents are available as powders, liquids and capsules, and are used in both domestic and commercial laundry operations, including in hospitality, healthcare and industrial laundries that must meet hygiene and cleanliness benchmarks supported by relevant SABS and health guidelines.

Laundry Detergent in South African Context

Laundry detergents are used extensively by:

Households for everyday washing
Hotels and guest houses to meet cleanliness expectations in bedding and towels
Hospitals and clinics for hygienic laundering of linens and uniforms in line with infection prevention protocols from South African health authorities
Industrial laundries, which often follow standards-based processes for handling and washing textiles used in food processing, mining and manufacturing, supported by sector standards and best-practice guides referenced by government and industry bodies

2. Dishwashing and Food-Contact Cleaning

Another key use of detergent is in dishwashing, both by hand and in machines. Dishwashing detergents are designed to:

Remove grease and oils from plates, pots and utensils
Break down dried food residues
Rinse clean without leaving harmful residues

South African food safety regulations, as outlined by national departments and supporting standards-based guidance, require that food-contact surfaces and utensils are properly cleaned and, where needed, sanitised. Detergent-based cleaning is one step in that hygiene chain, typically followed by a rinse and, in commercial settings, disinfection or high-temperature cycles in line with industry standards and health regulations.

3. Hard-Surface Cleaning (Household and Commercial)

Multi-purpose detergents are widely used for cleaning hard surfaces, including:

Kitchen counters and cupboards
Bathroom tiles, basins and baths
Floors (ceramic, vinyl and some sealed surfaces)
Walls and general washable surfaces

In commercial and public settings in South Africa – such as shopping centres, schools and office buildings – custodial and cleaning staff rely on detergent-based floor and surface cleaners specified as suitable for building maintenance under cleaning and hygiene protocols. These protocols are typically aligned with occupational health and safety regulations referenced by national authorities.

4. Industrial and Institutional Cleaning

Detergents also play a critical role in industrial and institutional environments. Various formulations are used for:

Cleaning process equipment in food and beverage manufacturing
Washing workwear and protective clothing (PPE) in sectors such as mining, agriculture and manufacturing
Cleaning public facilities, public transport interiors and sanitation facilities

In South Africa, industrial detergents must often meet performance and safety criteria derived from national regulations and industry standards, with many products conforming to specifications published by standards bodies and sector-specific guidelines, for example in food processing and healthcare cleaning protocols that align with South African regulatory frameworks.

5. Vehicle and Transport Cleaning

Specialised detergents are used for washing vehicles and transport equipment, including:

Car shampoos and truck-wash detergents
Degreasers for engines and mechanical parts
Detergent-based cleaners for public transport interiors

These products are formulated to remove road grime, oils and residues while being compatible with automotive paints and materials. In sectors like freight and public transport in South Africa, such cleaning is often part of broader safety and maintenance programmes documented in operational standards and fleet hygiene guidance.

6. Personal and Household Hygiene Support

Although personal-care products (like shampoos and body washes) are regulated differently from household cleaners, they are also based on detergent chemistry (surfactants). These products are used for:

Cleaning hair and skin
Handwashing for hygiene
Bathing and showering

In South Africa, such personal-care detergents are subject to cosmetic product regulations and must comply with safety requirements overseen by national regulatory bodies, as indicated in public policy and cosmetic regulation documents issued by health and trade authorities.

Types of Detergent Commonly Used in South Africa

Laundry Detergent (Powder and Liquid)

Used for washing clothing, linen and textiles in top-load and front-load machines or for hand-washing. Products vary by:

Enzyme content (for stain removal)
Fragrance profile
Suitability for cold or warm water

Technical and performance requirements for laundry detergents are incorporated into standards that underpin consumer protection and quality expectations in the South African market.

Dishwashing Detergent (Hand and Machine)

Hand dishwashing liquids: designed to be gentle on skin while effective on grease
Automatic dishwasher detergents: powder, tablet or gel forms with ingredients to remove baked-on food and prevent spotting

Product labels and safety information must meet disclosure expectations contained in consumer standards and product labelling regulations.

Multi-Purpose and Floor Detergents

These are used for:

General household surface cleaning
Commercial and institutional floor maintenance

They are often diluted in water and applied with mops, cloths or cleaning machines in line with product instructions and cleaning protocols used by South African facility management and cleaning service providers.

Specialized Industrial Detergents

Formulated for specific sectors, for example:

Food industry detergents for equipment and surfaces that contact food
CIP (cleaning-in-place) detergents for tanks and pipelines
Heavy-duty degreasers for workshops and industrial plants

Such products are typically accompanied by Safety Data Sheets (SDS) to comply with chemical safety regulations based on South African occupational health and chemical management frameworks.

Safety, Environmental and Regulatory Considerations

Safe Use and Handling

Detergents can be irritant or hazardous if misused. In South Africa, safe handling guidance for chemical products is aligned with occupational health legislation and chemical classification frameworks, and is summarised in Safety Data Sheets supplied by manufacturers. Common recommendations include:

Storing detergents out of reach of children
Avoiding mixing different cleaning chemicals
Using gloves or protective equipment where indicated
Ensuring good ventilation during use

These practices reflect broader health and safety expectations for chemical use in workplaces and homes, which are discussed in publicly available occupational safety guidance provided by South African authorities.

Environmental Impact

Modern detergents are increasingly designed to minimise environmental harm. Publicly available environmental and industrial guidelines – such as those addressing wastewater management and chemical effluent controls – emphasise:

Use of biodegradable surfactants
Reduced phosphate content to protect water bodies from eutrophication
Proper disposal of greywater and industrial effluents in accordance with municipal and national regulations

Municipal and national environmental departments in South Africa provide information on managing domestic and industrial effluents containing detergents as part of broader water quality and pollution control frameworks.

Choosing the Right Detergent for Your Needs

When deciding what detergent is used for in your specific context, consider:

Surface or material: textiles, dishes, food-contact surfaces, floors, vehicles or industrial equipment
Type of soiling: grease, protein stains, mineral deposits, general dirt
Application environment: domestic, commercial, healthcare, food industry, industrial plant
Regulatory requirements: food safety, infection control, occupational safety or environmental compliance

Consulting product labels, Safety Data Sheets and, where relevant, applicable South African standards or sector guidelines helps ensure you select a suitable product and use it correctly.

Conclusion

Detergent is used for far more than just routine household cleaning. In South Africa, it underpins hygiene and cleanliness across homes, hospitality, healthcare, food production, transport and industry. By understanding what detergent is used for, the chemistry behind it, and the regulatory and safety context in which these products are sold and used, consumers and businesses can make informed choices that support effective cleaning, health protection and environmental responsibility within the South African regulatory and standards framework.