Cleansing Agents - Soaps and Detergents

Soaps and Detergents are the commonly used Cleansing Agents. Something that cleans dirty surfaces is called a detergent. One kind of detergent is soap. However, the term "detergent" typically only refers to synthetic detergents, which differ chemically from soap. Soap and detergent products are produced in the form of bars, flakes, granules, liquids and tablets. People use soap to wash their bodies. They shampoo their hair with soaps and detergents. Daily bathing with soap prevents dirt and natural body oils from clogging the pores of the skin

Types of Cleansing Agents

1. Soaps 

With the discovery of methods to produce potassium hydroxide in the 18th century and sodium hydroxide in the 19th century, soap making became a big industry. Soap is made by reacting coconut oil or other oils or fats with alkalis like sodium hydroxide. Saponification is the process of making soaps. Soaps are sodium or potassium salts of long-chain fatty acids (e.g. oleic, stearic, palmitic). Potassium hydroxide is used to make soft soaps. Clear soaps are made by dissolving soap in ethanol and evaporating the excess solvent. Soap is used to wash clothes because it reduces the surface tension of water.

2. Synthetic Detergents

The search for a substance with better cleaning power than soaps led to the development of detergents. The chemical name of detergents are Alkyl Benzene Sulfonates. Synthetic detergents are cleaning aids that do not contain soap but have all the properties of soap. They dissolve in hard water and normal water. They are mainly classified into three categories - Anionic, Cationic and Non-ionic or neutral Detergents.

Anionic Detergents - Anionic detergents are mostly used for household purposes. They are also used in toothpastes. In these, the anion part of the molecule is involved in cleaning activities.

Cationic Detergents - Cationic detergents have limited uses due to their high cost and disinfectant properties. They are used in hair conditioners.

Non-ionic or neutral Detergents - Liquid detergents used for washing bowls are examples of these. There are no ions in their structure.

3. Natural Cleansing Agents 

It consists of a chemical called saponin which produce lather when it is shaken with water. Soap nuts, soap pods, turmeric powder, milk, honey, coconut oil, lemon, curd, cucumber etc are examples of naturally obtained cleansing agents.