SLS is primarily used in laundry detergents with a variety of cleaning applications. It is a highly effective surfactant that can be used in any task where oil and residue removal is required. For example, it is found in higher concentrations in industrial products such as engine degreasers, floor cleaners, and automotive exterior cleaners.
It is an ingredient in hand soap, toothpaste, shampoo, shaving cream, and bubble bath recipes because of its ability to create lather (foam), its surfactant properties, and partly because of its thickening effect.
It is an ingredient in many personal care and cleaning products. SLS can be extracted from natural sources such as coconut oil and palm kernel oil, or it can be produced in a laboratory setting.

