Short-range interaction forces produced after self-assembly of non-ionic surfactants on mineral surfaces is described in terms of a complex interplay between van der Waals, hydration and steric forces. Differences in the contribution to the total, measured force were explained by the respective dielectric properties and coupled water content of the adsorbed layers. In the case of sugar surfactants hydrogen bonding was found to have a critical role in the interfacial behavior. Relevance of our conclusions in applications involving complex fluids will be highlighted.