DETERGENT

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a detergent excellent in alkali resistance, capable of exhibiting excellent cleaning power even in the presence of an alkaline agent and useful as a detergent for clothes, a body, a kitchen or the like by using an ether-type nonionic surfactant having hydrocarbon groups on both the ends. SOLUTION: This detergent contains a compound of the formula: R O(R O)n R [R and R are each a hydrocarbon; R is a 1-3C alkyl; (n)>=1] [preferably, a compound in which R is a 8-20C alkyl, alkenyl or aryl; R is methyl; a part of (R O)n is a polyoxyalkylene chain containing an oxyethylene group in an amount of 50-100 mol.%] in an amount, for example, of 0.1-50 wt.% based on the total weight of the detergent composition. Further, the compound of the formula is obtained, for example, by reacting alkylene oxide with an alcohol or phenol to form the addition compound, and subsequently substituting the terminal OH groups with an alkylating agent such as methylene chloride.