A cleansing agent, especially a surface-active chemical such as an alkyl sulphonate (9)

I believe the answer is:

detergent

(Other definitions for detergent that I've seen before include "Cleaning product" , "Get tender (anag)" , "cleaner" , "Soluble cleansing agent" , "Cleansing substance used for washing clothes" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.

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