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THE EFFECTS OF THE ACTION OF DETERGENT AND SOAP ON SOIL/DIRTY SUBSTANCE DURING WASHING

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

A soap is a salt of a compound known as a fatty acid. A soap molecule consists of a long hydrocarbon chain (composed of carbons and hydrogens) with a carboxylic acid group on one end which is ionic bonded to a metal ion, usually a sodium or potassium. The hydrocarbon end is nonpolar and is soluble in nonpolar substances (such as fats and oils), and the ionic end (the salt of a carboxylic acid) is soluble in water.

When a soap or detergent is added to water, a polar solvent, the molecules form clusters, known as micelles, in which the polar ends of the molecules are on the outside of the cluster and the non-polar ends are in the middle. The cleaning action of both soaps and detergents results from their ability to emulsify or disperse water-insoluble materials (dirt, oil, grease, etc.) and hold them in suspension in water. This ability comes from the molecular structure of soaps and detergents. When a soap or detergent is added to water that contains oil or other water-insoluble materials, the soap or detergent molecules surround the oil droplets. The oil or grease is “dissolved” in the alkyl groups of the soap molecules while the ionic end allows the micelle to dissolve in water. As a result, the oil droplets are dispersed throughout the water (this is referred to as emulsification) and can be rinsed away.

Soaps will react with metal ions in the water and can form insoluble precipitates. The precipitates can be seen in the soapy water and are referred to as “soap scum”. This soap scum can form deposits on clothes causing them to be gray or yellow in color. To eliminate the metal ions in water, washing aids such as washing soda (sodium carbonate) and borax (sodium tetraborate) were added to the wash water. These compounds would precipitate the metal ions, eliminating most of the soap scum. With the discovery of synthetic detergents, much of the need for washing aids was reduced. A detergent works similar to a soap, but does not form precipitates with metal ions, reducing the discoloration of clothes due to the precipitated soap.

Detergents and soaps are commonly used cleaning agents that play a critical role in removing dirt and stains from various surfaces. Their effectiveness in cleaning depends on their chemical properties, which interact with soil and dirty substances during washing. Understanding how different cleaning agents affect the soil or dirty substances can provide insights into improving cleaning processes and formulations. This study focuses on evaluating the effects of different types of detergents and soaps on soil and dirty substances, aiming to enhance the efficiency of cleaning methods in domestic and industrial applications.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Despite the widespread use of detergents and soaps, there is limited empirical research on how these cleaning agents interact with and affect soil or dirty substances. This gap in knowledge may lead to suboptimal cleaning results and increased consumption of cleaning products. There is a need to systematically investigate the effectiveness of various detergents and soaps in removing different types of soil and dirty substances. This study aims to address this gap by evaluating the impact of different cleaning agents on soil and dirty substances.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The main objective of this study is to determine the effectiveness of different detergents and soaps in removing soil and dirty substances during washing. Specific objectives include:

i. To evaluate the impact of different detergents on the removal of soil from various surfaces.

ii. To determine the effectiveness of different soaps in cleaning dirty substances compared to detergents.

iii. To find out the comparative efficiency of detergents and soaps in removing stains from fabrics.

1.4 Research Questions

i. What is the impact of different detergents on the removal of soil from various surfaces?

ii. What is the effectiveness of different soaps in cleaning dirty substances compared to detergents?

iii. How does the efficiency of detergents compare to soaps in removing stains from fabrics?

1.5 Research Hypotheses

Hypothesis I

H0: There is no significant impact of different detergents on the removal of soil from various surfaces.

H1: There is a significant impact of different detergents on the removal of soil from various surfaces.

Hypothesis II

H0: There is no significant difference in the effectiveness of different soaps compared to detergents in cleaning dirty substances.

H2: There is a significant difference in the effectiveness of different soaps compared to detergents in cleaning dirty substances.

Hypothesis III

H0: There is no significant difference in the efficiency of detergents and soaps in removing stains from fabrics.

H3: There is a significant difference in the efficiency of detergents and soaps in removing stains from fabrics.

1.6 Significance of the Study

This study is significant as it provides empirical data on the effectiveness of various detergents and soaps in cleaning different types of soil and dirty substances. The findings will benefit both domestic and industrial users by guiding the selection of appropriate cleaning agents. Additionally, the results could contribute to the development of more efficient cleaning products and improve the understanding of cleaning processes.

1.7 Scope of the Study

The scope of this study is limited to evaluating the effects of selected detergents and soaps on soil and dirty substances. The study will focus on various cleaning agents and their impact on different types of soils and dirty substances commonly encountered in domestic and industrial settings. The research will be conducted within a controlled environment to ensure accurate and comparable results.

1.8 Limitations of the Study

The limitations of this study include potential variations in soil and dirty substances that may not be fully representative of all types encountered in real-world settings. The study is also limited to the types of detergents and soaps tested, which may not encompass all available products. Additionally, the controlled environment may not entirely reflect the conditions of practical use.

1.9 Definition of Terms

Detergent: A chemical substance used for cleaning that is typically composed of surfactants and other additives.

Soap: A cleansing agent made from natural fats or oils and alkalis, used to remove dirt and stains.

Soil: Substances, including dirt, dust, or grease, that can be removed from surfaces during cleaning.

Dirty Substance: Any material that is stained, soiled, or contaminated and requires cleaning.