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The two words can be used interchangeably in everyday conversation (I have heard both 'laundry soap' and 'laundry detergent' used). Chemically though,"Detergent" refers to any surfactant (a chemical that lowers the surface tension of a liquid) that has cleaning properties and soap refers specifically to the salt of a fatty acid. Therefore soap is a form of detergent, but not all detergents are soaps.

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What is the main difference between soap and detergent?

The main difference between soap and detergent is their chemical composition. Soap is made from natural ingredients like fats and oils, while detergents are synthetic compounds.


What is the difference between soap and detergent?

Soap and detergent are both cleaning agents, but they have different compositions. Soap is made from natural ingredients like fats and oils, while detergents are synthetic compounds. Soap is biodegradable and milder on the skin, while detergents are more effective in hard water and for removing tough stains.


Name of soap detergent from 1960?

Drive Detergent


What is the difference between soap and detergent used in modern households?

Soap is made from natural ingredients like fats and oils, while detergents are synthetic compounds. Soap is biodegradable and can be less harsh on the environment, while detergents are designed to be more effective at removing dirt and stains. Additionally, detergents are more suitable for hard water compared to soap.


How can you test soap and detergent in water?

To test soap and detergent in water, you can perform a simple experiment by adding a few drops of each into separate containers of water. Soap will create suds or foam in the water due to its ability to lower surface tension, while detergent may also create bubbles but may be more effective at cleaning oily substances. You can observe and compare the amount and quality of bubbles formed to differentiate between soap and detergent.

Related Questions

What is the main difference between soap and detergent?

The main difference between soap and detergent is their chemical composition. Soap is made from natural ingredients like fats and oils, while detergents are synthetic compounds.


What is the difference in dish soap and dish detergent?

# #


Do soap and detergent have the effect on difference types of water?

no they not


What are the chemicals found in soap?

different between soap and detergent


What is the difference between soap and detergent?

Soap and detergent are both cleaning agents, but they have different compositions. Soap is made from natural ingredients like fats and oils, while detergents are synthetic compounds. Soap is biodegradable and milder on the skin, while detergents are more effective in hard water and for removing tough stains.


What is the difference of soap solution and detergent solution in terms of their reaction with tap water?

introduction of soap solution introduction of soap solution


What is the difference between toilet soap and bathing bar?

what is the difference between toilet soap and bathing soap?


What and the difference between base and soap?

There is no clear difference between base and soap because soap is a base.


Name of soap detergent from 1960?

Drive Detergent


What is the difference between soap and detergent used in modern households?

Soap is made from natural ingredients like fats and oils, while detergents are synthetic compounds. Soap is biodegradable and can be less harsh on the environment, while detergents are designed to be more effective at removing dirt and stains. Additionally, detergents are more suitable for hard water compared to soap.


What is the difference between soap and shower gel?

Soap is primarily sodium stearate. It leaves a film when it combines with hard water to form calcium stearate (soap scum). Body wash is a detergent that does not form soap scum. It, like Zest bath bars has no sodium stearate. The difference between the Zest and most body washes is the fragrance in the recipe and that you are paying for a whole lot of water and a fancy bottle.


What is the difference between a detergent and a sanitiser?

detergent cleans "removes dirt" sanitizer actually disinfects