In America we might call this a "soap opera". This idiom comes from all the afternoon television programs that had a lot of "drama" in them, meaning marriage problems, unfaithful marriages and crazy situations people got on. The television commercials that interrupted the programs were commercials about laundry detergent or soap. The programs were later called "soap operas". The programs were continued the next day, and went on forever. If a couple of people do not have a peaceful life, their life might be like the "soap operas". I might be out of touch, but I have not heard the phrase "detergent commercial".

"detergent commercial" is a metaphor for a fake happy marriage. One that looks perfect from the outside, but on the inside it is all props and acting and nothing ever works as well as they claim in the commercial.

Thanks for your answers. The phrase is from the "Desperate housewives" Bree's husband say it.