Disclosed is a process for preparing at least one ether compound, comprising reacting at least one alcohol (I) with at least one polyol (II) in the presence of a functional polymer [polymer (F)] as a catalyst (X), wherein: the alcohol (I) is represented by the general formula (1): R1-OH (1) wherein R1 is a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 36 carbon atoms, the polyol (II) is represented by the general formula (2): R2-(OH) m (2) wherein R2 represents the skeleton moiety of the polyol and m is an integer of from 2 to 20, and polymer (F) is a polymer comprising recurring units derived from at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer [monomer (M)] and bearing at least one cation exchange group. Further disclosed is a surfactant composition obtained by said process, and featuring an excellent detergency performance.