How Does Laundry Detergent Work?

Answer 1

a laundry detergent works by its catalytic protein triad. there are 3 amino acids that are present close together and form a triad. there is a 'charge relay system' operating within the molecule which leads to the charge transfer from one amino acid to the other. this causes the breakdown of the protein dirt present on ur clothes. this the case with protease detergents(which remove protein dirts).
a general detergent contains long sodium chains of fatty acids which come together around the dirt about their non-polar organic end to form micelles. these micelles are removed with water carrying the dirt away.
sodium carbonate is added to detergents to cut the hardness of water.
they also contain bleaching agents like sodium perborate to whiten clothes, carboxy methyl cellulose to keep dirt suspended in water, sodium sulphate to keep the powder dry, surfactants(like waxy organic solids) to reduce the surface tension of water to make washing easy, etc.

all these factors combine together to make a cloth clean.

Answer 2

A key ingredient in both solid and liquid laundry detergents is a surfactant. A surfactant is a substance which, when added to water, significantly reduces the surface tension of the water. This effect allows water to wash surfaces better. There are many different types of organic compounds which can function as surfactants. Most surfactants are thick, viscous liquids, but some are soft, waxy or greasy solids.

Answer 3

Detergent are made of molecules that have a split personality. One end of the molecule is chemically attracted to oil and repulsing water, while the other end is just the opposite.
The part that likes oil binds with dirt, while the other part binds with the water of the wash. Rince it off, and the water drags the detergent away, and the detergent drags the dirt with it.

Answer 4

Powder or Liquid doesnt really make a difference its the ingredients in them that causes harm to the environment. Most laundry detergents available will contain phosphates and other chemicals that harm the environment. As an alternative you can buy completely organic liquid and powder detergents that are completely organic and made from natural products - no phosphates & chemicals. Better for your clothes, better for you and better for the environment.

Answer 5

Detergents are the deprotonated forms of fatty acids, long chain organic compounds with a -COOH group on one end. When that group is deprotonated, the compound becomes polarized, such that the deprotonated end is hydrophilic, and the organic end is hydrophobic. As such, the molecules begin to form micelles (basically, bubbles) where the hydrophobic ends will grab the usually organic dirt molecules, and the hydrophilic ends allow the compounds to remain water soluble enough that they can then be washed away.

Answer 6

It reacts with the dirt, getting the dirt to stick to it rather than the fabric. The suds lift the dirt away. Water breaks down the detergent, now you have clean wet clothes.

Answer 7

If you read this passage from Wikipedia about what is in detergent, you will see how it works.

Such a substance, especially those made for use with water, may include different components having some or all of the following properties:[citation needed]

surfactant to 'cut' grease and to wet surfaces

abrasive to scour

substances to modify pH or to affect performance or stability of other ingredients,

acids for descaling or caustics to destroy dirt

water "softeners" are used to counteract the effect of "hardness" ions on other ingredients

oxidants (oxidizers) for bleaching and destruction of dirt

materials other than surfactants to keep dirt in suspension

enzyme to digest proteins, fats, or carbohydrates in dirt or to modify fabric feel
ingredients,
surfactant or otherwise, modifying the foaming properties of the cleaning surfactants, to either stabilize or counteract foam plus ingredients having other properties to go along with detergency, such as optical brighteners, softeners, etc., and colors, perfumes, etc.

Answer 8

The molecules of detergent surround and encapsulate the molecules of dirt or other matter and are washed away by the water.

Answer 9

the soap is also called a surfactant, it actually attracts dirt to it then the dirt along with the soap are disposed of in the rinse cycle.

Answer 10

it lowers the surface tension of the water.