Detergency of narrow and broad range distributed oxyethylated alcohols was correlated with various structural (average degree of oxyethylation and distribution parameter of the polyoxyethylene chain) and physicochemical parameters (refractive index, surface tension at critical micelle concentration, cloud point, hydrophile lipophile balance, molar volume and temperature). Statistically valid equations were derived which permit calculation of the detergency of oxyethylates. Distribution parameter of the polyoxyethylene chain, cloud point, hydrophile lipophile balance and the surface tension at critical micelle concentration are the most important descriptors needed for such a prediction.