A water-free surfactant composition is presented having (a) a fatty alcohol sulfate corresponding to the formula R1O—SO3X where R1 is a linear alkyl chain containing 16 or 18 carbon atoms and X is an alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, ammonium, alkylammonium, alkanolammonium or glucammonium and (b) an alcohol sulfate corresponding to the formula R2O—SO3X where R2 is an alkyl chain containing 12 to 15 carbon atoms consisting of a minimum 20 percent by weight branched alkyl chains and a maximum 80 percent by weight unbranched alkyl chains, and X is an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal, ammonium, alkylammonium, alkanolammonium or glucammonium. The surfactant composition has a reduced potential for irritation and good flowability and solubility in cold water. The surfactant composition is useful in laundry detergents, dishwashing detergents and other cleaners.