Jun. 30, 2025
Chemicals
If you look at a cleaning product label from a company who refuse to disclose their ingredients (the bad guys), you’ll often see something like this.
For more information, please visit Sancolo.
Aside from not actually telling you anything of note, the labels will always refer to Anionic and Nonionic Surfactants.
Even for me, this means very little.
What the heck are Anionic or Nonionic surfactants?
The purpose of this article is to demystify all of that, and explain exactly what these labels are referring to.
It can be difficult to remove greasy stains with water, so manufacturers add surfactants to cleaning products.
Surfactants are essentially cleaning agents. Soap is an example, although these days manufacturers tend to use synthetic detergents.
They are actually very smart chemicals that have two opposing ends. One end of the chemical is soluble in water and the other in fat. Hence, a surfactant can help mix oils and waters (which would normally sit on top of one another). When you have a liquid sitting on top of oil, there’s a lot of surface tension. Surfactants, by mixing the two, can reduce this surface tension, helping to wash away oily and water-based stains.
The chemistry of surfactants is complex, and most cleaning products use a blend of carefully chosen surfactants (e.g. fabric softeners require different surfactants to handwashes). Surfactants are categorized by the ‘chemical charge’ of their water-soluble end:
An ionic surfactant is one that has an electric charge.
There are three types of ionic surfactant:
Anionic surfactants are commonly found in laundry detergents, handwashes, kitchen cleaners, body washes. They are the most widely used and versatile surfactants. They are the most effective at removing oily residue. But, as the most potent surfactants, also cause skin irritation.
The most popular and widely used surfactants, anionic surfactants can be found in almost every cleaning product. It’s estimated that 45% of the $46 billion global surfactant market is made from anionic alone [1]. The most popular anionic surfactants are [2]:
Anionic surfactants can be produced from a range of raw fats and oils, including soybean, palm, tallow, and coconut. This has led to the development of milder anionic surfactants such as ‘potassium cocoate’, which reduces skin irritation and palm oil consumption while improving ecological sustainability (although are more expensive) [3].
The other two ionic surfactants are used much less frequently.
Cationic surfactants are commonly found in fabric softeners and disinfectants. They are less commonly found in household products, but cationic surfactants are more effective at killing microorganisms, and so are used as disinfectants.
Amphoteric surfactants are most commonly found in shampoos and body washes. These are the least potent surfactants and are found in personal care products designed for sensitive skin. They are also good foaming agents, so are also used in handwashes.
Nonionic surfactants contain no charge. They are commonly found in laundry and dishwasher detergents. They are the second most widely used surfactants after anionic. These molecules have no charge and so they are less likely to form a ‘soap scum’ in hard water. They are generally less effective than anionic, but for some people cause less skin irritation.
If anionic are the most popular surfactants, nonionic are a close second, widely used in a range of cleaning, personal care, and disinfectant products as well as industrial processes. The most common anionic surfactants are:
In areas with hard water (high mineral content), nonionic surfactants are more heavily marketed, as they are less likely to form a soap scum [4]. The nonionic surfactants are less likely to cause skin irritation, but this is associated with a less potent cleaning ability.
Most cleaning products blend anionic and nonionic surfactants to balance cleaning potential with the risk of skin irritation.
In most countries, there is no legal requirement for cleaning products to specify which surfactants they use (including the US and EU). It’s a bad situation, that led to the formation of this site. We will only review products that have full ingredient disclosure. Otherwise, it’s impossible to know what kind of surfactant is giving you an itch, a rash or much worse.
Here’s what I mean. The following are examples of common cleaning product labels – showing the extent of the available information in mainstream laundry detergents.
With the provided information it’s easy to tell the blend and type of ingredients, but impossible to determine the specific chemicals.
That said, even if the ingredients were all listed, there is no straightforward way to identify between an ‘anionic’ or ‘nonionic’ surfactant, without research e.g. ‘potassium cocoate’ is anionic, ‘glyceryl cocoate’ is nonionic.
Surfactants are used in cleaning products to reduce surface tension, helping to wash away oil and grease. There are four main categories of surfactant, ionic (anionic, cationic, and amphoteric) and nonionic. Anionic are the most widely used and potent, but they are associated with skin irritation. Nonionic are also found in many household products, and their main advantage is to not form ‘soap scum’ in hard water.
Very few cleaning products list their surfactants and are not currently compelled to do so by law in either the US or EU.
Instead, ingredient label list the overall blend of surfactants, making it impossible to avoid particularly harsh or allergenic ingredients.
So stick with us for now. There is change afoot with legislation, but in the meantime, we will only review products that have full ingredient disclosure. We will give our opinion on these ingredients, and we will tell you how well they clean.
That’s why we’re here!
[1] Grand View Research, Inc. (). Surfactants Market Analysis by Product, by Application, and Segment Forecasts To . www.grandviewresearch.com
[2] Falbe, J. (). Surfactants in consumer products: Theory, Technology and Application. Springer Science & Business Media.
[3] Pedrazzani, R., Ceretti, E., Zerbini, I., Casale, R., Gozio, E., Bertanza, G., & Feretti, D. (). Biodegradability, toxicity and mutagenicity of detergents: integrated experimental evaluations. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 84, 274-281.
[4] Mukhopadhyay, P. (). Cleansers and their role in various dermatological disorders. Indian Journal of Dermatology, 56(1), 2.
This guide includes the following sections:
What Is a Surfactant?
Agriculture Surfactant Classifications
How Do Surfactants Work?
When to Use a Surfactant for Agriculture Sprays
Choosing the Right Surfactant for a Spray Application
Buy Surfactants at FBN®
Surfactants are a particular type of adjuvant used in agricultural production to enhance crop protection spray characteristics by increasing surface contact, reducing runoff, and improving leaf penetration. Adding a surfactant to the tank mix can improve the absorption, uptake, and efficacy of herbicide, insecticide, and fungicide active ingredients.
Learn 4 ways to minimize spray drift here.
There are several types of surfactants commonly used in agriculture, including:
Non-ionic surfactants (NIS)
Anionic surfactants
Nitrogen-surfactant blends
Organosilicones
Oil-surfactant blends
Non-ionic surfactants are all-purpose adjuvants compatible with a wide range of pesticides, including herbicides, plant growth regulators, defoliants, fungicides, and insecticides. They help reduce the surface tension of a spray mix, improving its spreading and sticking ability on a leaf’s surface. Non-ionic surfactants can improve the wetting capability of pesticide sprays, increasing leaf coverage. Adequate coverage is critical to maximize the efficacy of contact pesticides, including some post-emergence herbicides and fungicides.
Non-ionic surfactants are generally one of the least expensive surfactants used in agricultural production. When used according to label instructions, they also pose less crop injury risk than other surfactant classes. Non-ionic surfactants are the most widely used surfactants in agriculture because they mix easily with most pesticides.
Non-ionic surfactants are recommended, and often required, with many pesticide active ingredients, including (not an all-inclusive list):
Glyphosate (herbicide)
Quizalofop p-ethyl (herbicide)
Fluazifop-p-butyl (herbicide)
Paraquat dichloride* (herbicide)
Clopyralid (herbicide)
Propanil
Azoxystrobin (fungicide)
Propiconazole (fungicide)
Examples of non-ionic surfactants include:
Farmers First™ IN-Zorb™ 90 — A general-purpose non-ionic surfactant designed to improve the performance of pesticide sprays by modifying the wetting and spreading properties of droplets on the leaf or target surface.
Farmers First™ IN-Zorb™ ADV — An APE-free non-ionic surfactant designed to improve the effectiveness of crop protection products by reducing the surface tension of spray droplets for uniform spreading and coverage of leaf surfaces. The APE-free formulation is safe to use in late-season fungicide applications on corn, and it will not lead to arrested ear development.
Related links:For more information, please visit Castor Oil Ethoxylates.
Anionic surfactants form a negative ion when placed in water, enhancing a pesticide tank mix's foaming and spreading properties. They are often blended with non-ionic surfactants to improve a herbicide formulation's wetting and emulsifying properties. Anionic surfactants aren’t compatible with all pesticides and do not generally mix well with hard water.
Nitrogen-surfactant blends are commonly used with postemergence broadleaf herbicides to reduce surface tension and improve leaf surface spreading of a spray application. Typically, these products are a premix of some source of nitrogen fertilizer plus surfactants.
Nitrogen-surfactant blends can be used when a herbicide label recommends adding ammonium sulfate (AMS) or 28% nitrogen to the tank mix, and they can replace standard AMS products in the tank mix.
There are a couple of benefits of using ammonium salts in a herbicide tank mix.
They help reduce herbicide tie-up in hard water so more active ingredient is available for weed uptake.
When used as a spray additive, ammonium may improve the absorption of many weak acid postemergence herbicides by creating a favorable pH gradient across the cell membrane.
Nitrogen-surfactant blends are commonly used with the following postemergence broadleaf herbicide active ingredients (not an all-inclusive list):
Glyphosate
Chlorimuron ethyl
Imazethapyr, ammonium salt*
Examples of nitrogen-surfactant blends include:
Even™ L Pro — A premix of drift management agents, AMS, deposition aids, and surfactant that reduces tie-up of herbicides in hard water, improves spray application coverage, and minimizes spray drift.
FBN AMS Pro — A 3-in-1 nitrogen-surfactant that includes a defoamer and drift agent.
Organosilicone surfactants are a newer class of surfactant that offer even more pesticide wetting, spreading, adhesion, and penetration power than conventional non-ionic surfactants. They are formulated as a blend of silicone and other surfactants. Organosilicone surfactants offer excellent rainfastness to improve pesticide uptake.
Organosilicone surfactants are a great option in high-weed pressure situations or when environmental conditions may limit effective weed control. They are commonly used with the following herbicide active ingredients (not an all-inclusive list):
Bentazon
Lactofen
Fomesafen
Farmers First™ IN-Cert™ Organosil MSO is a multifunction organosilicone surfactant that rapidly penetrates leaf surfaces and provides superior surface coverage compared to ordinary silicone blends, methylated seed oil, or crop oil.
Some crop oil concentrates and methylated seed oils (MSO) contain surfactants that work together with the cuticle-penetrating power of the oil to improve herbicide efficacy. High surfactant oil concentrates (HSOCs) generally contain at least 50% w/w oil plus 25 to 50% w/w surfactant. HSOCs enable lower use rates than standard crop oil concentrates.
Farmers First™ IN-Cert™ HighSurf MSO is a specialized blend of modified seed oil and surfactant designed to enhance the performance of herbicides. It may be used at reduced rates compared to conventional MSO. IN-Cert HighSurf MSO may also be used with insecticides, fungicides, and plant growth regulators (PGRs).
IN-Plant™ ADV is a hybrid adjuvant combining the functions of oil concentrate, nonionic surfactant, and penetrant in one product. It can replace high surfactant oil concentrates as well as crop oil concentrates.
What’s the difference between a crop oil concentration and a non-ionic surfactant? Find out here.
Most surfactants work by reducing the surface tension between the spray solution and the plant surface. The main goal of any surfactant is to improve a pesticide product’s efficacy. Depending on the surfactant, it does that by:
Increasing herbicide penetration through waxy leaf cuticles
Improving the spreading qualities of the spray
Keeping the leaf wet longer for more absorption
Improving the sticking characteristics to prevent runoff
Surfactants can be a cost-effective way to improve the efficacy of insecticide, fungicide, and herbicide spray applications. Although they do not contain any active ingredients, they should be used whenever the pesticide label recommends them to improve spray characteristics.
Surfactants are especially beneficial for:
Spray applications where there is heavy pest pressure or large weeds
Contact herbicide and fungicide applications where coverage is critical
Spray applications during extreme conditions (hot, dry/wet, cool)
Surfactants are most commonly used with post-emergence herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides. Every surfactant offers different benefits, so it’s important to consult the pesticide label to ensure you choose the best option for each specific application.
When comparing surfactants for a herbicide application, keep these considerations top of mind:
The concentration and type of surfactant (ingredients)
Use rates
The target weeds (including size and pressure)
The environmental conditions
Product cost
In general, non-ionic surfactants are all-purpose products that are compatible with a wide variety of pesticides. Choose a nitrogen-surfactant blend if you’re applying a broadleaf, post-emergence herbicide like glyphosate or glufosinate. Organosilicone surfactants are a great option for herbicide applications in extreme conditions or where weed pressure is heavy. High surfactant oil concentrates work well when glyphosate is tank-mixed with an oil-loving herbicide like lactofen or fomesafen. For more information on adjuvant selection, see our Adjuvants Product Guide.
Choosing an effective surfactant is a great way to improve the return on investment of many pesticide applications. FBN offers a complete portfolio of adjuvants, including non-ionic surfactants and AMS products, to meet your crop protection needs. With a user-friendly online platform, transparent pricing, and direct-to-farm delivery available on your schedule, FBN puts Farmers First®.
Herbicides 101: Everything Growers Need to Know About Herbicides
Herbicide Mode of Action Groups 101
Residual Herbicides 101
Clopyralid 101: Everything Farmers Need to Know About Clopyralid
Dicamba 101: Everything Farmers Need to Know About Dicamba
Acetochlor 101: Everything Farmers Need to Know About Acetochlor
Glyphosate 101: Everything Farmers Need to Know About Glyphosate
Paraquat 101: Everything Farmers Need to Know About Paraquat
2,4-D 101: Everything Farmers Need to Know About 2,4-D
Adjuvants 101: Understanding the “Extras” in Your Tank
Fungicides 101: Everything Farmers Need to Know About Fungicides
Insecticides 101: Everything Farmers Need to Know About Insecticides
Inoculants 101: Everything Farmers Need to Know About Inoculants
Biostimulants 101: Everything Growers Need to Know About Biostimulants
Copyright © - Farmer's Business Network, Inc. All rights Reserved. The sprout logo, “Farmers Business Network”, "Farmers First", “FBN”, “FBN Direct,” and “FieldGrip” are servicemarks, trademarks or registered trademarks of Farmer's Business Network, Inc.
All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Willowood Paraquat 3SL is a restricted-use pesticide.
Willowood Imazethapyr 2SL is a restricted-use pesticide.
*Restricted Use Pesticides due to acute toxicity. For retail sale to and use by certified applicators only – NOT to be used by uncertified persons working under the supervision of a certified applicator.
FBN Direct products and services and other products distributed by FBN Direct are offered by FBN Inputs, LLC and are available only in states where FBN Inputs, LLC is licensed and where those products are registered for sale or use, if applicable. If applicable, please check with your local extension service to ensure registration status. Nothing contained on this page, including the prices listed should be construed as an offer for sale, or a sale of products. All products and prices are subject to change at any time and without notice. Terms and conditions apply.
ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW LABEL DIRECTIONS. It is a violation of federal and state law to use any pesticide product other than in accordance with its label. The distribution, sale and use of an unregistered pesticide is a violation of federal and/or state law and is strictly prohibited. We do not guarantee the accuracy of any information provided on this page or which is provided by us in any form. It is your responsibility to confirm prior to purchase and use that a product is labeled for your specific purposes, including, but not limited to, your target crop or pest and its compatibility with other products in a tank mix and that the usage of a product is otherwise consistent with federal, state and local laws. We reserve the right to restrict sales on a geographic basis in our sole discretion. You must have a valid applicator license to use restricted use pesticides. Please consult your state department of agriculture for complete rules and regulations on the use of restricted use pesticides, as some products require specific record-keeping requirements.
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