Detergents and soaps are used for cleaning because pure water
can't remove oily, organic soiling. Soap cleans by acting as an emulsifier. Basically, soap allows oil and water to mix
so that oily grime can be removed during rinsing. Detergents were developed in response to the shortage of the animal and
vegetable fats used to make soap during World War I and World War II. Detergents are primarily surfactants, which could be
produced easily from petrochemicals. Surfactants lower the surface tension of water, essentially making it 'wetter'
so that it is less likely to stick to itself and more likely to interact with oil and grease.
Modern detergents contain more than surfactants. Cleaning products may also contain enzymes to degrade
protein-based stains, bleaches to de-color stains and add power to cleaning agents, and blue dyes to counter yellowing. Like
soaps, detergents have hydrophobic or water-hating molecular chains and hydrophilic or water-loving components. The hydrophobic
hydrocarbons are repelled by water, but are attracted to oil and grease.
The hydrophilic end of the same molecule
means that one end of the molecule will be attracted to water, while the other side is binding to oil. Neither detergents
nor soap accomplish anything except binding to the soil until some mechanical energy or agitation is added into the equation.
Swishing the soapy water around allows the soap or detergent to pull the grime away from clothes or dishes and into the larger
pool of rinse water. Rinsing washes the detergent and soil away. Warm or hot water melts fats and oils so that it is easier
for the soap or detergent to dissolve the soil and pull it away into the rinse water. Detergents are similar to soap, but
they are less likely to form films (soap scum) and are not as affected by the presence of minerals in water (hard water).
Modern detergents may be made from petrochemicals or from oleochemicals
derived from plants and animals. Alkalis and oxidizing agents are also chemicals found in detergents. Here's a look at
the functions these molecules serve:
Petrochemicals/Oleochemicals
These fats and oils are hydrocarbon chains
which are attracted to the oily and greasy grime.
Oxidizers
Sulfur trioxide, ethylene oxide, and sulfuric acid are
among the molecules used to produce the hydrophilic component of surfactants. Oxidizers provide an energy source for chemical
reactions. These highly reactive compounds also act as bleaches.
Alkalis
Sodium and potassium hydroxide are used
in detergents even as they are used in soapmaking. They provide positively charged ions to promote chemical reactions.
