What are the differences between the various household surfactants?

In a typical household, the following surfactants are found, among others:


* Soap / handwash
* Shower gel
* Shampoo
* Dishwashing agent
* Washing powder / liquid


From my understanding, the role of all these is to lower the surface tension between water and fatty acids, enabling one to "wash" things.


Are they all the same then, and is the only difference between them marketing? Can I wash my hair with dishwashing agent, or pour shower gel into my washing machine?





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> Can I wash my hair with dishwashing agent [...]!
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If it's an agent for dishwashing machines: **Please DON'T!**


Cleaning in dishwashing machines is performed in **alkaline** medium.


The tabs usually contain (among others):


1. alkaline compounds, such as sodium carbonate and sodium hydroxide
2. bleaching agents, such as sodium perborate and sodium percarbonate
3. pentasodium triphosphate (to keep calcium and magnesium in solution)


The solution of these tabs is **not** meant to get in contact with skin and eyes.


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