Surfactants capable of releasing and/or dissolving polymers to form water-soluble or water-dispersible polymer solutions are disclosed. In addition, polymer compositions containing a water-in-oil emulsion comprising the surfactant are provided and can be used, for example, in methods of dissolving a polymer. Also disclosed are detergent compositions and methods of cleaning articles and/or membranes using the surfactants herein. These surfactants and polymer compositions can be used in various industries including for water clarification, papermaking, sewage and industrial water treatment, drilling mud stabilizers, and enhanced oil recovery.