Difference Between Soap and Detergent Definitions Overview
Soaps are potassium or sodium salts of long-chain fatty acids, whereas detergents are alkylbenzene sulfonates. Soaps and detergents are both cleaning solutions that aid in the removal of dirt, bacteria, and other undesirable particles from the human body and other surfaces. People frequently misunderstand these two cleansers and use them interchangeably since they are both used for cleaning. In actuality, however, there are substantial variations between soaps and detergents.
Difference Between Soap and Detergent Definitions
The following are the definitions explained for soaps and detergents-
Soaps
Soaps are potassium or sodium salts of a carboxylic acid containing a long aliphatic chain. They are surfactants (compounds that lower the surface tension of one liquid and another) and hence aid in the emulsification of oils in water. Soaps are typically created by saponifying fats and oils. The soap molecule's carboxylate end is hydrophilic, but the hydrocarbon tail is hydrophobic.
Detergents
Detergents are potassium or sodium salts of a long alkyl chain with a sulfonate group at the end. They dissolve in hard water. This solubility is due to the fact that the sulfonate group does not bind to the ions found in hard water. Anionic detergents, such as alkylbenzene sulfonates, are often used in the home.
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Difference Between Soap and Detergent Characteristics
The following table shows the characteristics of soaps and detergents-
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Soaps |
Detergents |
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Soap is described as potassium or sodium salts of carboxylic acids with a lengthy aliphatic chain. |
Detergents are potassium or sodium salts of a long alkyl chain with a sulfonate group at the end. |
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Soaps are known as surfactants because they may assist lower surface tension between liquids and other substances. |
Detergents are well recognized for their ease of dissolving in hard water. |
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It is used in the process of emulsifying different oils in water. |
Because the sulfonate group in the detergent does not connect to hard water ions, it is soluble in hard water. |
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Soap is mostly made by the saponification of fats and oils. |
Anionic detergents, such as alkyl benzene sulfonates, are frequently used in the home. |
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The soap molecule's two ends, the carboxylate end, and the hydrocarbon end are hydrophilic and hydrophobic. |
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Also read more about- Cohesive Forces and the First 20 Elements of the Periodic Table.
Difference Between Soap and Detergent
The following table shows the difference between soaps and detergents-
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Soaps |
Detergents |
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A '-COONa' group is connected to a fatty acid with a long alkyl chain. |
A ‘-SO3Na' group is connected to a lengthy alkyl chain. |
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Soaps are not much reactive and have weak cleansing action |
Detergents are more reactive and have strong cleansing action. |
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Soaps are entirely biodegradable. |
Detergents with branched hydrocarbon chains are not biodegradable. |
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They are ineffective in hard and saline water. |
They retain their potency even in hard and salty water. |
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In a hard water environment, they have the propensity to develop scum. |
These chemicals do not combine to create scum. |
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They come from natural sources like vegetable oils and animal fats. |
Detergents are artificial derivatives. |
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Soaps are used for limited cleaning applications, such as body parts |
Detergents are used for a variety of cleaning applications, such as laundry, dishwashing, and other types of surface cleaning. |
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Soaps are environmentally friendly since they are biodegradable. |
These substances can combine to generate a thick foam that kills aquatic life. |
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Soap can sometimes cause skin irritation |
Detergents do not usually cause skin irritation. |
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Soap examples include sodium palmitate and sodium stearate. |
Deoxycholic acid and sodium lauryl sulfate are two examples of detergents. |
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Key Differences Between Soap and Detergent
The following are some of the key differences between soaps and detergents-
- Soaps are derived from natural substances, whereas detergents are made from synthetic, man-made compounds.
- Soap molecules are typically carboxylate ions, whereas conventional detergents frequently include phosphate or sulfate head groups (sodium dodecyl sulfate).
- Soaps do not dissolve easily in harsh water. In contrast, detergents dissolve quickly in hard water.
- Soap can only be used for a limited number of cleaning applications, but detergents can be manufactured for a wide range of cleaning applications.
- Soap has a weak cleaning function, but detergents are better and stronger.
- The soap molecule's head group is a normal carboxylate anion. Common detergents, on the other hand, frequently employ phosphate or sulfate head groups (e.g., sodium dodecyl sulfate).
Also read about- Chemistry Periodic Table and Father of Chemistry.
Points to Remember
- Soaps are sodium salts of long-chain fatty acids or carboxylic acids.
- Detergents are sodium salts of long-chain benzene sulphonic acids.
- Soaps are biodegradable, however other detergents are not.
- Detergents are more effective cleaners than soaps.
- Soaps and detergents include surfactants, which allow them to remove dirt.
- Soaps are made from fats and oils or fatty acids that have been neutralized with a strong alkali.
- Saponification is the chemical process that makes soap.
Also read more about the Difference Between Fats and Oils.
Samples Questions for Difference Between Soap and Detergent
Q.1 Give examples of common detergents.
Ans. Everyday detergents include laundry and fabric softeners, all-purpose cleansers, and mixes designed for soaking, rinsing, or bleaching.
Q.2 What are some of the detergent ingredients?
Ans. Deoxycholic acid and sodium lauryl sulfate are two popular detergent chemicals.
Q.3 Soaps have what properties?
Ans. Because they are fatty acid sodium salts, they are water-soluble. They are created by neutralizing fats and oils or their fatty acids with a strong alkali.
Q.4 Do detergents generate scum?
Ans. No. When soap is used with hard water, it produces scum. This is due to the presence of calcium and magnesium ions in hard water, which combines with soap to generate scum, a white solid material.
Q.5 What is the distinction between soap and detergent?
Ans. Soaps are sodium or potassium salts of long-chain fatty acids or carboxylic acids. Detergents are the sodium and potassium salts of long-chain benzene sulphonic acids. While all soaps are entirely biodegradable, certain detergents are not biodegradable at all. When it comes to cleaning unclean surfaces or garments, detergents are more powerful. Detergents are synthetic compounds that are generally generated from petroleum, whereas soaps are made from animal fats.
Q.6 Give some examples of soap compounds.
Ans. Ingredients in soaps include sodium stearate, sodium oleate, and sodium palmitate.