* Photo: Tim Morris * Triclosan

Antibacterial soaps kill, well, bacteria—often with this broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent, which inhibits fatty acid synthesis. In higher concentrations, it destabilizes bacterial cell walls.

Ammonium C12-15 Pareth Sulfate

In solution, this detergent creates negative ions, which cut grease. When mixed with bleach, it releases killer chlorine gas, a chemical weapon used in World War I. Good news: We're still alive, so there's no bleach in here.

Magnesium Isododecyl-Benzene-Sulfonate

Everything gets nice and foamy because of this surfactant cleaner.

Lauramido-Propylamine Oxide

This foaming aide keeps those tiny soap bubbles stable throughout the cleanup process. It also thickens the dishwashing liquid, so you'll feel like you're getting your money's worth.

SD Alcohol 3-A

Alcohol is chemically similar to water, so it can work its way into bacterial cytoplasm, where it makes the proteins fall apart, killing the cell.

Sodium Xylene Sulfonate

Known to chemists as a hydrotrope, this compound makes it easier for the other molecules in the detergent to dissolve in water. (Hydrotropes also can help to create high-foaming cleansers.)

Sodium Bisulfite

This food additive is often used as an anti-fermentation agent to prevent bottled wine from turning into vinegar. In soap, it works as another antiseptic.

DMDM Hydantoin

A preservative that work1s by breaking down into, among other things, formaldehyde. Whatever was living on your dishes is now dead.

Pentasodium Pentetate

A chelating agent that softens hard tap water by binding with dissolved metal ions, preventing them from being deposited as a yucky residue on your nice clean dishes.

*Palmolive Ultra Concentrated Antibacterial Dish Liquid (With Orange Extracts)

Start Previous: New Germ Busters Outwit Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Next: How to Mix an Exploding Drink, Rev Up Vintage Speakers, Flirt With Confidence What's Inside WD-40? Superlube's Secret Sauce

What's Inside: Bausch and Lomb ReNu

What's Inside Raid? Watch Out, Kitty!