The thickening agent used in laundry detergents is typically a polymer, such as a polyacrylate, Hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose ether,polysaccharide, or polyacrylamide. These polymers are added to the detergent to increase its viscosity, which helps it to spread more evenly over fabrics and to stay in suspension in the wash water. The polymers also help to reduce the amount of surfactant needed in the detergent, which can help to reduce the cost of production. The polymers also help to reduce the amount of foam produced during the wash cycle, which can help to reduce the amount of water needed for rinsing. Additionally, the polymers can help to reduce the amount of residue left on fabrics after the wash cycle, which can help to reduce the amount of time needed for drying.