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[[Image:Sodium lauryl sulfonate.png|thumbnail]]

[[Image:Sodium lauryl sulfonate.png|thumbnail|right|Chemical structure]]

'''Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS)''' (or ''Sodium dodecyl sulfate'') is a [[detergent]], surfuctant, and foaming agent which is commonly used in a wide variety of cleaning products. SLS is a synthetic organic compound with the formula CH₃(CH₂)₁₁SO₄Na.  It is composed of [[sulfuric acid]], monododecyl ester, and [[sodium chloride]] (table salt).<ref>http://www.wisegeek.org/what-is-sodium-lauryl-sulfate.htm</ref> Since it causes skin irritation, it is often ethoxylated (by adding ethylene oxide) to reduce this effect.  This results in the similar chemical '''Sodium laureth sulfate''' (SLES), the formula of which is [[carbon|C]][[hydrogen|H]]₃(CH₂)₁₁([[oxygen|O]]CH₂CH₂.

'''Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS)''' (or ''Sodium dodecyl sulfate'') is a [[detergent]], surfuctant, and foaming agent which is commonly used in a wide variety of cleaning products. SLS is a synthetic organic compound with the formula CH₃(CH₂)₁₁SO₄Na.  It is composed of [[sulfuric acid]], monododecyl ester, and [[sodium chloride]] (table salt).<ref>http://www.wisegeek.org/what-is-sodium-lauryl-sulfate.htm</ref> Since it causes skin irritation, it is often ethoxylated (by adding ethylene oxide) to reduce this effect.  This results in the similar chemical '''Sodium laureth sulfate''' (SLES), the formula of which is [[carbon|C]][[hydrogen|H]]₃(CH₂)₁₁([[oxygen|O]]CH₂CH₂.