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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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What are the advantages of synthetic detergents over soap?

The advantages of synthetic detergents over soaps are :Synthetic detergents can be used even in case of hard water whereas soaps fail to do so. Unlike soaps, detergents do not form insoluble calcium and magnesium salts in hard water. They give lather in hard water also.Synthetic detergents can be used in the acidic medium while soaps fail to do so because of their hydrolysis to free acids.Synthetic detergents are soluble in water and hence form more lather than soaps.Synthetic detergents have a better cleansing action than soaps.Detergents do not cause irritation to the skin while soaps have this problem.


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 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.


Why is soap less effective in hard water?

Soap is less effective in hard water because it contains minerals such as calcium and magnesium that react with the soap to form precipitates, reducing its ability to lather and clean effectively. Instead of forming a lather that helps to lift away dirt and oil, the minerals in hard water create a scum that can leave a residue on surfaces and fabrics.


What is the advantage and disadvantage of soapless detergents?

Advantage: Soapless detergents are better at removing dirt and stains from fabrics compared to traditional soaps, as they do not leave a residue. They are also less likely to cause skin irritation or allergies. Disadvantage: Soapless detergents may not be as effective in hard water, as they can react with minerals and lose their cleaning power. Additionally, some soapless detergents are more expensive than traditional soaps.

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.


What are the advantages of synthetic detergents over soap?

The advantages of synthetic detergents over soaps are :Synthetic detergents can be used even in case of hard water whereas soaps fail to do so. Unlike soaps, detergents do not form insoluble calcium and magnesium salts in hard water. They give lather in hard water also.Synthetic detergents can be used in the acidic medium while soaps fail to do so because of their hydrolysis to free acids.Synthetic detergents are soluble in water and hence form more lather than soaps.Synthetic detergents have a better cleansing action than soaps.Detergents do not cause irritation to the skin while soaps have this problem.


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 are the advantages and disadvantages of soaps and detergents?

Soaps are natural products made from fats and oils, which makes them biodegradable and environmentally friendly. They are effective at removing dirt and oils from surfaces. However, they can react with hard water to form scum, reducing their cleaning effectiveness. Detergents, on the other hand, are synthetic compounds that are more effective in hard water and are less likely to leave residue. However, they are not as environmentally friendly as soaps and may contain harmful chemicals.


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.


Why is soap less effective in hard water?

Soap is less effective in hard water because it contains minerals such as calcium and magnesium that react with the soap to form precipitates, reducing its ability to lather and clean effectively. Instead of forming a lather that helps to lift away dirt and oil, the minerals in hard water create a scum that can leave a residue on surfaces and fabrics.


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

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


What is the advantage and disadvantage of soapless detergents?

Advantage: Soapless detergents are better at removing dirt and stains from fabrics compared to traditional soaps, as they do not leave a residue. They are also less likely to cause skin irritation or allergies. Disadvantage: Soapless detergents may not be as effective in hard water, as they can react with minerals and lose their cleaning power. Additionally, some soapless detergents are more expensive than traditional soaps.


What is nonionic soap?

Nonionic soap is a type of soap that does not contain any charged particles, making it less likely to react with minerals in hard water. It is milder and less likely to cause skin irritation compared to other types of soaps. Nonionic soaps are often used in cosmetic products and personal care items.


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.


How are synthetic detergents better than soaps?

They can be used in hard water as well in acidic solution. The reason being that sulphonic acids and their calcium and magnesium salts are soluble in water but the fatty acids and their calcium and magnesium salts are insoluble.