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Soaps are sodium or potassium salts of long-chain fatty acids. Hard water contains

calcium and magnesium ions. When soaps are dissolved in hard water, these ions

displace sodium or potassium from their salts and form insoluble calcium or magnesium salts of fatty acids. These insoluble salts separate as scum.

This is the reason why soaps do not work in hard water.

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10y ago
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14y ago

Because the chemistry of the soap interacts with the chemistry of the water. You need a good match to get the best cleaning effect from the soap.

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9y ago

Soap does not form a good lather with hard water. A large amount of soap is wasted in hard water.

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11y ago

soft water

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Q: Why are soaps less effective in hard water?
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Is detergent similar to soap and can be used in hard water?

Detergents are also called soap less soaps becoz though they act likea soap in having the cleansing properties, they do not contain the usual soaps like sodium starate. detergents are better cleansing agents than soaps because they donot form insoulble calcium and magnesium salts with hard water, and hance can be used for washing even with hard water.


What is the effect of soap and detergent in the hard water?

One effect of soap and detergent in hard water is it will not lather as well as it does in soft water. This can affect the way the soap or detergent cleans in hard water making them less effective.


How can you get oil and water to mix?

You can do this by stirring or agitating the oil and water together with soap or detergent. Different oils, soaps and detergents will work more or less efficiently.


What is the main advantage of using detergent over soap?

Soaps and detergents behave differently in hard water. Soaps form a scum in hard water and this scum will not rinse away easily and is known to turn laundry a grayish hue. The insoluble film it leaves can leave a residue on your laundry much like you would see in a shower stall where hard water is present. Detergents react less to minerals in water and do not leave this residue. (3) If you live in an area where the water is soft, you will have more success with soaps, but even then a gradual build-up of calcium and magnesium ions (also called 'curd') will be left in the fabric of your diapers or any of your family's laundry over time. Another disadvantage cited with soaps is that they " . . .will deteriorate in storage and lack the cleaning power when compared with the modern synthetic surfactants."(4) Because of this, detergents have steadily become the cleaning agent of choice since World War II, because for all practical purposes - synthetic or not, they will leave your laundry cleaner.


What are the pros and cons of soaps and detergents?

It is biodegradable. * It is not suitable for washing when the water is hard. * A large quantity of vegetable oil -- which is scarce -- is used for making soap. * It has a relatively weak cleansing action. * It is less soluble in water than detergents. * Continuous use of soap makes your skin rough and dry. * Can be used even with hard water for washing clothes. * Helps us to save vegetable oils for human consumption. * It has a stronger cleansing action than soap. * It is more soluble in water than soap. == == * It is not biodegradable. This means it is not decomposed by microorganisms. * They cause water pollution in air.

Related questions

Why are detergents more effective than soaps for cleaning in hard water?

The reason detergents are more effective than soap for cleaning hard water has to do with their ingredients and their function. Most detergents have cleaning properties that are able to combat hard water and mildew. The function of soap, however, is less complex. The function of water is to make water even wetter than what it is. This does not necessarily mean it contains cleaning properties.


Advantage of soaps over synthetic detergents?

Soaps and detergents act differently in hard water and soft water respectively..over use of detergents causes water pollution wich can be avoided by using soaps...........wich causes much less pollution.


Is detergent similar to soap and can be used in hard water?

Detergents are also called soap less soaps becoz though they act likea soap in having the cleansing properties, they do not contain the usual soaps like sodium starate. detergents are better cleansing agents than soaps because they donot form insoulble calcium and magnesium salts with hard water, and hance can be used for washing even with hard water.


What is the effect of soap and detergent in the hard water?

One effect of soap and detergent in hard water is it will not lather as well as it does in soft water. This can affect the way the soap or detergent cleans in hard water making them less effective.


Do foaming soaps use unnessesarily more water than less foaming soap?

no. solubility properties of both kind of soaps are same.


What is the original price of silka papaya soap?

Hard to find Silka papaya soaps are usually sold for around $5 for a 15 grams bar of soap. There is also Likas Papaya Soap which is less aromatic but equally effective.


Can you get oil and water to mix?

You can do this by stirring or agitating the oil and water together with soap or detergent. Different oils, soaps and detergents will work more or less efficiently.


How can you get oil and water to mix?

You can do this by stirring or agitating the oil and water together with soap or detergent. Different oils, soaps and detergents will work more or less efficiently.


Why are vegetables soaps good for the environment?

Soaps made from vegetables are readily biodegradable and tend to have less phosphorous and nitrogen than cmmercially sourced soaps.


What makes ivory soap have less density than other soaps?

The reason Ivory soap is less dense than other soaps is that it is whipped while being made, so that it is full of air bubbles. The air makes the soap less dense so it floats on water. Please see the related link below.


What is the main advantage of using detergent over soap?

Soaps and detergents behave differently in hard water. Soaps form a scum in hard water and this scum will not rinse away easily and is known to turn laundry a grayish hue. The insoluble film it leaves can leave a residue on your laundry much like you would see in a shower stall where hard water is present. Detergents react less to minerals in water and do not leave this residue. (3) If you live in an area where the water is soft, you will have more success with soaps, but even then a gradual build-up of calcium and magnesium ions (also called 'curd') will be left in the fabric of your diapers or any of your family's laundry over time. Another disadvantage cited with soaps is that they " . . .will deteriorate in storage and lack the cleaning power when compared with the modern synthetic surfactants."(4) Because of this, detergents have steadily become the cleaning agent of choice since World War II, because for all practical purposes - synthetic or not, they will leave your laundry cleaner.


Which hand soap works best?

All soaps work in essentially the same way. It is more a matter of preference. for instance, I prefer glycerine soaps because they are less harsh and seem to work well with our softened water--that is they rinse away cleaner.