Sulphated mixed hydroxy ethers which are obtained by reacting compounds of the general formula I <IMAGE> in which R<1> and R<2> represent an alkyl radical having 6 to 16 carbon atoms, x and y represent 0 or numbers from 1 to 10 and n represents 2, 3 or 4, it being possible for R<1> and R<2> to be identical or different, with sulphating agents and subsequently neutralising the products with bases are suitable for the preparation of surfactants.
