Why does soap get the dirt off better than just water?

Answer 1

Soap is a surfactant which makes water wetter.

Answer 2

Soap works by making water wetter than it already is!This is a true fact. Theres a kind of skin on water and if you cant break that skin you cant get things wet.And you need to wet things to rinse away dirt, soap breaks that skin. Soap is capable of mixing with grease and water at the same time!That helps it to rinse away greasy dirt. Happy Cleaning!!!!

Answer 3

Dont know what your cleaning? Me, I prefer soap and shampoo when i shower. now if what you mean is a fabric depending on what you are using as soap may look like its cleaning, but unfortunantly 90 percent of all soap cleaners leave behind a sticky residue which in time your guaranteed to have a big old dirt attracting spot.

Answer 4

Soup is made up of sodium carboxylate. When the soap get in water the sodium separates from the carboxylate. The carboxylate has a hydrophobic (water hating) and a hydrophilic (water loving) end. Many molecules of the carboxyalte bury the hydrophobic end in the dirt causing it to be dispersed in water and thus cleaning whatever it is.

Answer 5

It lowers the surface tension of water thus allowing dirt to 'float' off more easily. All the oils and scents are mere decoration.

Answer 6

Applied to a soiled surface, soapy water effectively holds particles in suspension so the whole of it can be rinsed off with clean water

Answer 7

it acts as a lubricant to lift and seperate...thus the dirt rises and the water rinses it away.

Answer 8

it breaks the dirt down

Answer 9

I think it helps disolve dirt.

Answer 10

moistures the dirt