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Soaps, including laundry detergents, are slightly alkaline ("basic").
Most organic stains (foods, sweat, blood) are slightly acidic, so being slightly alkaline helps detergent dissolve these substances.
But the real reason that detergents help clean things is because of the way they interact with water. Water has surface tension, and tends to bead up on surfaces. Detergents break surface tension, and make water spread out over surfaces (like you dirty jeans) more evenly, helping to loosen soil there.
In addition, soap molecules have one end which likes to "stick" to water, and the other end which likes to "stick" to oily substances (like grime and other dirty stuff), so they help to loosen dirt from surfaces and mix it with the water better.
What else can I help you with?
How do you neutralize a liquid?
To neutralize a liquid, you can add an acid to a base or a base to an acid in a controlled manner until the liquid reaches a pH of 7 (neutral). This reaction cancels out the effects of both the acid and base, resulting in a neutral solution.
Is laundry detergent a base or an acid?
Laundry detergent is typically a base because it contains surfactants that help to lift dirt and oils from fabrics by increasing the pH of the water, making it more alkaline.
Is mercury a base or an acid?
base
Is tide a base or a acid?
It is a base because it has a pH level of 7.8 and for it to be ans acid it has to be below 7 for a pH level to be an acid.
What is the best way to separate base and acid?
The best way to separate a base and an acid is through a process called liquid-liquid extraction, where the acid or base can be selectively extracted into a solvent that is immiscible with the original solution. By adding the appropriate solvent and then physically separating the two layers, you can effectively separate the acid and base components.
Is laundry stain remover is a base or acid?
A base.
How do you neutralize a liquid?
To neutralize a liquid, you can add an acid to a base or a base to an acid in a controlled manner until the liquid reaches a pH of 7 (neutral). This reaction cancels out the effects of both the acid and base, resulting in a neutral solution.
Is laundry detergent a base or an acid?
Laundry detergent is typically a base because it contains surfactants that help to lift dirt and oils from fabrics by increasing the pH of the water, making it more alkaline.
Is mercury a base or an acid?
base
Is tide a base or a acid?
It is a base because it has a pH level of 7.8 and for it to be ans acid it has to be below 7 for a pH level to be an acid.
What is the best way to separate base and acid?
The best way to separate a base and an acid is through a process called liquid-liquid extraction, where the acid or base can be selectively extracted into a solvent that is immiscible with the original solution. By adding the appropriate solvent and then physically separating the two layers, you can effectively separate the acid and base components.
Is C3H8O3 a salt acid or base?
C3H8O3 is neither a salt, acid, nor base. It is the chemical formula for glycerol, which is a colorless, odorless, viscous liquid used in various industries, including food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics.
What is the formula to find moles of a solid acid when they are equal to the liquid base in a neutralization?
moles of acid = moles base = moles base/liter x liters of base used
Is powdered laundry detergent an acid or base?
Powdered laundry detergent is typically basic in nature. It contains alkaline substances such as sodium carbonate or sodium silicate to help remove grease and oils from clothes.
Is liquid Sosa an acid or bases?
Liquid Sosa is a base because it typically contains sodium hydroxide, which is a strong base. It is commonly used for cleaning and degreasing due to its alkaline properties that help dissolve grease and oils.
Is liquid wax an acid or base?
all wax is a base (and all your base belong to us)
Is liquid soap an acid or a base?
Liquid soap is typically a base, as it is often made with alkaline substances like potassium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide.
