The three major types of detergent are ionic, non-ionic, and zwitterionic.

• Ionic detergents – Ionic detergents have a hydrophilic head that is either negatively charged (anionic) or positively charged (cationic).
• Non-ionic detergents – Non-ionic detergents have an uncharged hydrophilic head.
• Zwitterionic detergents – Zwitterionic detergents have equal numbers of +1 and -1 charges that cancel each other out so their net charge is zero.