A biodegradable surfactant composition, comprising: 0.1% to 99.9% by weight of at least one surfactant having the following general Formula 1: wherein n is an integer from 1-30, or mixtures thereof; one of X and Y is SO 3 -Z, the other of X and Y is H, and X and Y are independently assigned in each repeating unit; A 1 and A 2 are linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated, substituted or unsubstituted, alkyl diradicals wherein the total number of carbons for each repeating unit is independent and in the range of C 8 to C 22; a is 0, 1, or 2, and is independently assigned in each repeating unit; R is linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated, substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbon wherein the total number of carbon atoms is from 1 to 24; W is H or a monovalent or divalent metal cation, ammonium cation, substituted ammonium cation, or an alkyl or substituted alkyl group; and Z is H or a monovalent or divalent metal cation, ammonium or substituted ammonium cation; and 0.1% to 99.9% by weight of at least one carrier; wherein the composition is a hard surface or substrate cleaner; and wherein the composition is biodegradable. 0.1% to 99.9% by weight of at least one surfactant having the following general Formula 1: wherein n is an integer from 1-30, or mixtures thereof; one of X and Y is SO 3 -Z, the other of X and Y is H, and X and Y are independently assigned in each repeating unit; A 1 and A 2 are linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated, substituted or unsubstituted, alkyl diradicals wherein the total number of carbons for each repeating unit is independent and in the range of C 8 to C 22; a is 0, 1, or 2, and is independently assigned in each repeating unit; R is linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated, substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbon wherein the total number of carbon atoms is from 1 to 24; W is H or a monovalent or divalent metal cation, ammonium cation, substituted ammonium cation, or an alkyl or substituted alkyl group; and Z is H or a monovalent or divalent metal cation, ammonium or substituted ammonium cation; and 0.1% to 99.9% by weight of at least one carrier; wherein the composition is a hard surface or substrate cleaner; and wherein the composition is biodegradable. wherein n is an integer from 1-30, or mixtures thereof; one of X and Y is SO 3 -Z, the other of X and Y is H, and X and Y are independently assigned in each repeating unit; A 1 and A 2 are linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated, substituted or unsubstituted, alkyl diradicals wherein the total number of carbons for each repeating unit is independent and in the range of C 8 to C 22; a is 0, 1, or 2, and is independently assigned in each repeating unit; R is linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated, substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbon wherein the total number of carbon atoms is from 1 to 24; W is H or a monovalent or divalent metal cation, ammonium cation, substituted ammonium cation, or an alkyl or substituted alkyl group; and Z is H or a monovalent or divalent metal cation, ammonium or substituted ammonium cation; and 0.1% to 99.9% by weight of at least one carrier; wherein the composition is a hard surface or substrate cleaner; and wherein the composition is biodegradable.