Structure and cleansing action of soaps and detergents
- Soap is the product of a saponification reaction between alkalis and fats and oils.
![](https://easychem.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/saponification-reaction.jpg)
- A soap molecule has two ends, a hydrophilic end and a hydrophobic end.
- When soap mixes with water, the hydrophilic end is directed towards water whereas the hydrophobic end directs towards the dirt molecules which are mostly fats, oils or grease.
- Both the hydrophobic and the hydrophilic end form micelles which trap the dirt and afterwards removes them.