Definition of anionic detergent

A formulation that contains an anionic surfactant or a mixture of anionic surfactant as active ingredients. In general, ionic surfactants are formulated in mixtures with nonionic surfactants. Therefore, pure anionic detergents are relatively rare.

Ref: Handbook of Detergents, part a: Properties (Surfactant Science Series vol. 82). Marcel Dekker (New York), 1999, 814 pp.