First produced by Procter & Gamble in 1933, it was the first synthetic detergent.

The Fairy brand of washing-up liquid and Cascade brand of dishwasher detergent are also sold under the name "Dreft" in some countries, including the Netherlands and Belgium.

In Canada, the laundry detergent is sold under the brand name Ivory Snow.

The commercial availability of fatty alcohols opened the way for the production of the related organosulfate derivatives.

In Germany, BASF started selling FeWA, followed by Dreft in the following year.