What are detergents chemically?

Detergents are chemically ammonium or sulphonate salts of long chain carboxylic acids. Merits: 1. They work in hard water. 2. They are better than soap having stronger cleansing action. Demerits: 1. They are non-biodegradable. 2. They are harmful to skin. Detergents are usually alkyl benzenesulfonates, a family of compounds that are similar to soap that does not form an insoluble precipitate with calcium and magnesium ions like soaps making it suitable for washing, even in the case of hard water.