Glossary

Alcohol

11.16.21

A class of organic compounds containing one or more hydroxyl groups.

The alcohols used in light duty and liquid laundry detergents are isopropanol or ethanol (ethyl alcohol). These alcohols are used at low levels in liquid detergent formulations to control viscosity, to act as a solvent for other ingredients, and to provide resistance to low and freezing temperatures encountered in shipping, warehousing, and use. Isopropanol is used in liquid hard surface cleaners. Higher molecular weight alcohols are used as raw materials for alcohol ethoxylates, one type of nonionic surfactant.