CONSUMER CHEMISTRY

QUARTER 3 – MODULE 2
(Week 3-4)

Chemistry of
Soaps and
Detergents
 What I Need to Know

This module was designed and written with you in mind. It is here to help you
master the nature of Chemistry of Soaps and Detergents. The scope of this module
permits it to be used in many different learning situations. The language used
recognizes the diverse vocabulary level of students. The lessons are arranged to follow
the standard sequence of the course. But the order in which you read them can be
changed to correspond with the textbook you are now using.

After going through this module, you are expected to:

1. Understand the key concepts of Chemistry of Soaps and Detergents;
2. Identify the main ingredients of soap and detergents and what is their role
in the product;
3. Know the chemistry of cleansing action of soap and detergents: and
4. Use understanding of chemical names on a product ingredient list to make
informed decisions in buying cleaning products

What I Know

Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the chosen letter on a separate sheet of
paper.
1. Soaps were originally made from:
a. proteins c. animal fats and vegetable oils
b. minerals d. chemicals extracted from the soil
2. In school laboratory soap is usually made from:
a. Vegetable oil, sodium hydroxide and some alcohol
b. Mineral oil, calcium hydroxide and some alcohol
c. Animal fat, sodium hydroxide, alcohol and any acid
d. Methylated spirits (also called denatured alcohol) and any acid
3. Which of the following is TRUE for both soaps and detergents?
a. These products are manufactured using natural ingredients
b. They both have hydrophobic and hydrophilic characteristics
c. They use synthetic ingredients and work well in acidic conditions
d. Both a and b
4. Detergents commonly used in laundry cleaning and softening products are
called ____________ detergents.
a. ionic c. cationic
b. anionic d. non-ionic

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5. Which of the following is an ingredient of cationic detergent?
a. alkoxylates c. sodium lauryl sulfate
b. glucosides d. dimethyldioctadecylammonium chloride

6. Shampoos, body and facial washes are personal care products which are called
___________ detergents.
a. ionic c. cationic
b. anionic d. non-ionic
7. It is used as an ingredient in detergents to soften hard water?
a. phosphates c. sulfonates
b. sulfates d. alkylates
8. Liquid bleach commonly used at home to remove stubborn stains is usually a
___________ solution.
a. chlorox c. potassium chloride
b. hydrochloric acid d. sodium hypochlorite
9. Which of the following is a specialty bar soap?
a. Bath soap c. transparent soap
b. Detergent bar d. all of these
10. The additive in many soaps and detergents that greatly harm the environment
a. color c. phosphates
b. perfume d. preservatives

11. Which of the following are specialty cleaners?

a. Glass cleaner c. toilet bowl cleaner
b. Metal cleaner d. all of these
12. An ingredient in some shampoos that may cause skin or scalp irritation.
a. sulfites c. phosphites
b. sulfates d. phosphates
13. Soap solutions tend to be alkaline while detergent solutions are more _________.
a. acidic c. neutral
b. basic d. non-alkaline

14. One of the following is a soap made by the hot process method
a. facial soap c. shaving soap
b. body soap d. all of these

15. Which of the following is an ingredient for bleach that is color safe?
a. acid c. oxygen
b. sodium d. chlorine

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 Lesson

1 Soaps and Detergents

Dirt has been defined as matter in the wrong place. Catsup is a desired
condiment for fried dishes, but on clothes, it is dirt. Ballpen ink is important in
writing, but on your shirt, it is dirt or stain. There are a large number of cleansing,
or surface-active agents capable of removing the dirt without harm to the shirt. We
use soap and detergent frequently in our daily life. We use them to wash our hands
and body and to clean our clothes without knowing how this thing really works. In
this module, you will explore the chemistry of cleaning… getting the dirt out.

What’s In

Soap has been known for at least 2,300 years. According to Pling the Elder,
the Phoenicians prepared it from goats’ tallow and wood ashes in 600 BCE and
sometimes used it as an article of barter with the Gauls. The Celts who produced
soap from animal fats and plant ashes, named the product saipo, from which the
word soap is derived. The importance of soap form washing and cleansing was
apparently not recognized until the 2nd century CE; the Greek physician Galen
mentioned it as a medicament and as a means of cleansing.
https://www.britannica.com/Science/soap/
Today, soap is produced with greater purity; its cleansing action improved by
numerous additives, and the advent of the relatively new synthetic detergents.
The soap making industry was revolutionized by two events. The first was the
discovery of the process of making soda ash by Nicolas LeBlanc in 1791, and the
second was the epoch-making work of the celebrated French chemist Chevreul,
whose researches into the chemical constitution of the natural fats extended from
1813 to 1823.
Grandma’s Lye
Fundamental soap chemistry is fairly simple. A strong base is first needed.
This can be furnished by extracting wood ashes with small amount of water as in
Grandma’s time. The solution known as “lye” contained KOH, Na2CO3, and K2CO3.
Today’s sodium hydroxide (NaOH) is also known as lye. In aqueous solution, the
basic carbonates produce hydroxide (OH-) ions.

CO32- + H2O HCO3- + OH

The other fundamental ingredient in soap-making is a suitable fat, an ester of a
fatty acid and glycerin. The actual soap making process is one in which the
component parts of the fat molecule are separated by reaction with a strong base.

4
The hydroxide (OH-) ions play a key role in the process which is called
saponification.

Grandma made soap by saponification of animal fats (tallow or lard) mixed

with the extract of ashes of hard wood in a heated kettle. Since she cared little for
the chemistry involved and wanted no grease in her soap, she often added too
much lye. The resulting soap was fairly harsh, to say the least, since the excess lye
was often retained by the soap.
Modern soaps make use of other fatty acids. Some render the soap soft to
the touch, while others render the soap more water-soluble with high lather ability.
The length and number of double bonds in the fatty acid chain influence the
solubility of a soap.
Table 1. Some Fatty Acids and their Sources

Source Principal Fatty Acid Properties or uses

of the soap
produce
Animal fat, CH3 - (CH 2)16 - COOH Hard soap
beef and Stearic acid Usually mixed with
mutton other soaps
Coconut CH3-(CH 2)10 - COOH Very water soluble,
oil Lauric acid good lather
Palm oil, CH3-(CH 2)7-CH=CH-(CH 2)7-COOH Used in toilet soap
Olive oil Oleic acid
Cottonseed CH3-(CH 2)4-CH=CH-CH2-CH=CH 2-(CH 2)6-COOH Cheap source of a
oil Linoleic acid fatty acid

What’s New

Soap and Detergents

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

5
and oils), and the ionic end (salt of a carboxylic acid) is soluble in water. The
structure of a soap molecule is represented below:
O
║
CH3-CH 2-CH 2-CH 2-CH 2-CH2-CH 2-CH 2-CH 2-CH 2-CH 2-CH 2-CH 2-CH 2-CH 2- C – O- Na+
Non-polar hydrocarbon chain ionic end
(soluble in non-polar substances) (soluble in water)

Detergents are structurally similar to soaps, but differ in the water-soluble

portion. Three examples of detergents are shown below:
O
║
CH3(CH2)nCH2 – O – S – O-Na+ a sodium alkyl sulfate
║
O

CH3 O
| ║
CH3(CH2)nCH - - S -O-Na+ a sodium alkyl benzene sulfonate
║
O

O CH2OH
║ |
CH3(CH2)nCH2 – C – O - CH2 – C – CH2OH a glycerol (a non-ionic detergent)
|
CH2OH

Table 2. Differences between soap and detergents

Soaps Detergent

They are metal salts of long chain These are sodium salts of long chain
higher fatty acids hydrocarbons like alkyl sulphates or
alkyl benzene sulphonates

These are prepared from vegetable oils They are prepared from hydrocarbons
and animal fats. of petroleum or coal.

They cannot be used effectively in hard These do not produce insoluble

water as they produce scum i.e., precipitates in hard water. They are
insoluble precipitates of Ca2+, Mg2+, effective in soft, hard or salt water.
Fe2+ etc.

These cannot be used in acid solutions. They can be used even in acid solutions

Their cleansing action is not as strong Their cleansing action is by

as that of detergents. surfactants, which is a strong
cleansing action

These are biodegradable. Some of these are not biodegradable.

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How Does Soap clean?
Detergents and soaps are used for cleaning because pure water cannot
remove oily, organic soiling. Soap cleans by acting as an emulsifier. Basically, soap
allows oil and water to mix so that oily grime can be removed during rinsing.
How much chemistry is involved in removing dirt or soil in clothes and dirty
surfaces? Soil can be broken down into three broad categories: organic, inorganic
and combination.
Organic soil encompasses a broad range and include food stains (such as
fat, grease, protein, and carbohydrate), living matter (such as mold, yeast and
bacteria) and petroleum soils (such as motor oil, axle grease and cutting oils).
Traditionally this stains or soils in clothes have been removed using alkaline
cleaners or solvent. Now, however, more modern bio-based surfactants are used
to remove organic soils.
Inorganic soil include rust, scale, hard water deposits, minerals such as
sand, slit and clay. Oftentimes acids are used to remove inorganic deposits such as
rust and scale. Minerals are often cleaned with general purpose or acid-type
cleaner (i.e., toilet bowl cleaners).
Combination soil often present the toughest challenge to remove since the
dirt or soil contains both organic and inorganic components. Proper identification
is critical. In the past, most combination soils were removed with a very
concentrated, highly built cleaner that also contain solvent. But now, with new
surfactant chemistries, it is possible to accomplish this cleaning with fewer
ingredients.

https://www.pinterest.ph/debmedgms/hand-hygiene-in-healthcare/

https://fukudalab.org/2020/04/06/coronavirus-fomo/

7
https://app.biorender.com/biorender-templates/figures/5e99f5395fd61e0028682c01/t-
5f1756a32baea000aee869d2-how-soap-kills-covid-19

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAVXJerKrA8

What is It

Soaps and detergents are essential to personal and public health. Through
their ability to loosen and remove soil from a surface, they contribute to good
personal hygiene; reduce the presence of germs that cause infectious diseases;

8
extend the use and life of clothes, tableware, linens, surfaces and furnishings; and
make our homes and workplace more pleasant.
Soaps and detergents found in the home can be grouped into four general
categories:
1. Personal Cleansing products- These products get their cleaning action from
soap, other surfactants or a combination of the two. The choice of cleaning
agent helps determine the product’s lathering characteristics, feel on the
skin and rinsability. Examples include: bar soaps, gels, liquid soaps and
heavy-duty hand cleaners.

Bar soaps or gels are formulated for cleaning the hands, face and body.
Depending on the other ingredients, they may also moisturize the skin
and/or inhibit odor-causing bacteria. Specialty bars include
transparent/translucent soaps luxury soaps and medicated soaps.
Liquid soaps are generally formulated for cleaning hands, and feature skin
conditioners. Some contain antimicrobial agents that kill or inhibit disease-
causing bacteria.
Heavy duty hand cleaners are available as bars, liquids, powders and
pastes. Formulated for removing stubborn greasy dirt, they may contain an
abrasive.

2. Laundry detergents and Laundry aids are available as liquids, powders,

gels, sticks, sprays, pumps, sheets and bars. They are formulated to meet a
variety of soil and stain removal, bleaching, fabric softening and
conditioning, and disinfectant needs under varying water, temperature and
use conditions.
Laundry detergents are either general purpose or light duty. General
purpose detergents are suitable for all washable fabrics. Liquids work best
on oily soils and for penetrating oils and stains. Powders are especially
effective in lifting out clay and ground-in dirt. Light duty detergents are
use for hand or machine washing lightly soiled items and delicate fabrics.
Laundry aids contribute to the effectiveness of detergents and provide
special functions. The following are laundry aids use at home:
a. Bleaches (chlorine and oxygen) whiten and brighten fabrics and help
remove stubborn stains. Liquid chlorine bleach (usually a sodium
hypochlorite solution) can also disinfect and deodorize fabrics.
Oxygen (color safe) bleach is gentler and works safely on almost all
washable fabrics.
b. Bluing contains a blue dye or pigment taken up by fabrics in the wash
or rinse. Bluing absorbs the yellow part of the spectrum of the light
spectrum, counteracting the natural yellowing of many fabrics.
c. Boosters enhance the soil and stain removal, brightening, buffering
and water softening performance of detergents. They are used in the
wash in addition to the detergent
d. Enzyme presoaks are used for soaking items before washing to
remove difficult stains and soils. When added to the wash water, they
increase cleaning power.
e. Fabric softeners added to the final rinse or dryer, make fabrics softer
and fluffier; decrease static cling, wrinkling and drying time; impart a
pleasing fragrance and make ironing easier
f. Prewash soil and stain removers are used to pretreat heavily soiled
and stained garments, especially those made from synthetic fibers.

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g. Starches, fabric finishes and sizings used in final rinse or drying,
give more body to fabrics, make them more soil-resistant and make
ironing easier.
h. Water softeners, added to the wash or rinse, inactivate hard water
minerals. Since detergents are more effective in soft water, these
products increase cleaning power.
3. Dishwashing Products, include detergents for hand and machine
dishwashing as well as some specialty products. They are available as
liquids, gels, powders and solids.
a. Hand dishwashing detergents remove food soil in suspension and
provide long-lasting suds that indicate how much cleaning power is left
in the wash water.
b. Automatic dishwasher detergents. In addition to removing food soils
and holding them in suspension, tie up hardness minerals, emulsify
grease and oil, suppress foam caused by protein soil and help water
sheet off dish surfaces. They produce little or no suds that would
interfere with the washing action of the machine.
c. Rinse agents are used in addition to the automatic dishwasher detergent
to the automatic dishwasher detergent to lower surface tension, thus
improving draining of the water from the dishes and utensils.
d. Film removers remove build-up of hard water film and cloudiness from
dishes and the interior of the dishwasher.
e. Lime and rust removers remove deposits of lime and/or rust from the
interior of the dishwasher. They are used when no dishes or other
dishwasher products are present.
4. Household cleaners are available as liquids, gels, powders, solids, sheets
and pads for use on painted, plastic, metal, porcelain, glass and other
surfaces and on washable floor coverings. Because no single product can
provide optimum performance on all surfaces and soils, a broad range of
products has been formulated to clean efficiently and easily.
a. All-purpose cleaners penetrate and loosen soil, soften water and prevent
soil from redepositing on the cleaned surface. Some also disinfect.
b. Abrasive cleaners remove heavy accumulations of soil often found in
small area. The abrasive action is provided by small mineral or metal
particles, fine steel wool, copper or nylon particles. Some also disinfect.
c. Specialty cleaners are designed for the soil conditions found on specific
surfaces such as glass, tile, metal, ovens, carpets, and upholstery, toilet
bowls and in drains.
The following are specialty cleaners:
Glass cleaners loosen and dissolve oily soils found on glass, and dry quickly
without streaking.
Glass and multi-surface cleaners remove soils from a variety of smooth
surfaces. They shine surfaces without streaking.
Tub, tile and sink cleaners remove normal soils found on bathroom surfaces
as well as hard water deposits, soap scum, rust stains and/or
mildew and mold. Some also treat surfaces to retard soiling, some
also disinfect.
Metal cleaners remove soils and polish metalware. Tarnish, the oxidation of
metal, is the principal soil found on metalware. Some products also
protect cleaned metalware against rapid tarnishing.
Oven cleaners remove burned-on grease and other food soils from oven
walls. These cleaners are thick so the product will cling to vertical

10
 oven surfaces.
Rug shampoos and upholstery cleaners dissolve oily and greasy soils and
hold them in suspension for removal. Some also treat surfaces to
repel soil.
Toilet bowl cleaners prevent or remove stains caused by hard water and rust
deposits, and maintain a clean and pleasant-smelling bowl. Some
products also disinfect.
Drain openers unclog kitchen and bathroom drains. They work by producing
heat to melt fats, breaking them down into simpler substances
that can be rinsed away, or by oxidizing hair and other materials.
Some use bacteria to prevent grease build-up which leads to drain
clogging.

Types of Soap
Soaps comes in a variety of forms. Toilet soaps (bath soaps), often contain
much of the glycerin released in saponification and little of the free alkali so they
will be soft and mild to the skin. Perfumes, dyes, and medicinal agents may be
added prior to casting the soap into a solid form.
Floating soaps have air beaten into them as they solidify. A hard soap is
obtained if there is a high percentage of a sodium salt of a relatively long-chain
fatty acid, such as stearic acid, present. A soft or liquid soap is obtained by
saponification with potassium hydroxide; liquidity increases as the chain and
length of the fatty acid decreases.
Shampoos are often mixtures of several ingredients designed to satisfy a
number of requirements. Shampoos also contain compounds to prevent the
calcium or magnesium in hard water from forming a precipitate; EDTA is used for
this purpose.
Detergents are of three types: anionic, cationic, and non-ionic. Anionic
and cationic have permanent negative or positive charges, attached to non-polar
(hydrophobic) C-C chains. Non-ionic detergents have no such permanent charge;
instead, they have a number of atoms which are weakly electropositive and
electronegative. This is due to the electron-attracting power of oxygen atoms.
Anionic detergents are commonly used in personal care products, such as
shampoos, body and facial washes, also in laundry and dish washing products.
They create a lot of foam when introduced into water. Examples include:
ammonium lauryl sulfate, sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium cocoyl isethionate, sodium
coco sulfate, sodium lauryl sarcosinate and sodium myreth sulfate. These sulfates
can cause skin or scalp irritation in some people because they can penetrate into
the epidermis a significant amount. Other common anionic detergents include
sulfonates and gluconates.
Now you know why some shampoo causes your scalp to itch; it is because you are
sensitive to the sulfate ingredient!
Cationic detergents are commonly used in laundry cleaning and softening
products and often contain a quarternary ammonium salt group. Examples
include: Dimethyldioctadecylammonium chloride and alkyl hydroxyethyl

11
dimethylammonium chloride. Some cationic surfactants are persistent in the
environment (do not biodegrade quickly), and can be very irritating to the skin.
Non-ionic detergents are a large class of detergents that are use in a wide
variety of applications, including laundry detergents and personal care products.
Examples include: ethoxylates, alkoxylates, cocamides, and glucosides. They have
lower foaming potential than anionic detergents, and are use in conjunction with
anionic detergents in laundry detergents to maximize cleaning power while
minimizing foaming.
There are two kinds of detergents with different characteristics: phosphate
detergents and surfactant detergents. Detergents that contain phosphates are
highly caustic, and surfactant detergents are very toxic. The differences are that
surfactant detergents are used to enhance the wetting, foaming, dispersing and
emulsifying properties of detergents. Phosphate detergents are used in detergents
to soften hard water and help suspend dirt in water.
“Syndets- The modern soaps
Synthetic detergents, “syndets” are derived from organic molecules which
have been designed to have the same cleansing action as soaps, but not the same
reaction with cations found in hard water, such as Ca+2, Mg+2, and Fe+3. As a
consequence, synthetic detergents are equally effective in hard and soft water.
Another group of synthetic detergents (also called “surfactants”, from surface active
agents) is the alkylbenzene sulfonates. They are prepared by putting large alkyl
groups on a benzene ring and then sulfonating the benzene ring with sulfuric acid
or a related agent. Modern detergents contain more than surfactants. Cleaning
products contain enzymes to degrade protein-based stains, bleaches to de-colour
stains and add power to cleaning agents, and blue dyes to counter yellowing. Like
soaps, detergents have hydrophobic ends or water-hating molecular chains and
hydrophilic or water-loving components.
Neither detergents nor soap accomplish anything except binding to the oil
until some mechanical energy or agitation is added into the equation. Swishing the
soapy water around allows the soap or detergent to pull the grime away from
clothes or dishes and into the larger pool of water of rinse water. Rinsing washes
the detergent and soil away. Warm or hot water melts fats and oils so that it is
easier for the soap or detergent to dissolve soil and pull it away into the rinse water

Composition of soaps
1. Soap is made from a combination of fatty acids and alkalis. Both animal and
vegetable oil fats are used in the manufacture of soap
2.Naphtha and a little mineral oil, such as paraffin oil may be added to help in its
cleansing properties and in the removal of grease.
3. Resin and naphthenic acids (obtained from petroleum) may also be added to
improve the effectiveness of soap.
4. The chief alkalis used in soap manufacture are caustic soda and caustic potash.
5. Starch is added to make soap firm. Generally, 2% is a safe quantity to use.
6. Soap stone or French chalk is often used as a filling agent to the extent of 15 to
20 percent.
7. Salt is used for graining the soap out from the mixture of oils and alkali. The
usual proportion is 100 parts of oil to 12/12 parts of salt.

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8. Water is present in all soaps – the percentage varies with different soaps.

Synthetic laundry detergents contain little real detergent. Most solid syndets
are formulated like the one shown on Table 3. Liquid syndets are somewhat
different since they contain different active detergent molecules.
The trisodium tripolyphosphate is known as the builder and functions in two
important ways. By reacting with water molecules, the tripolyphosphate ions
produce OH- ions and keep the wash water slightly basic thus helping to emulsify
the grease particles. In addition, the tripolyphosphate ions can tie up Ca2+, and
Mg2+ which cause hardness in water.

Table 3. Composition of a Typical Solid Detergent

Composition by wt. %
Sodium alkylbenzene sulfonate, detergent 18
Dedusting agent 3
Foam boaster 3
Sodium tripolyphosphate, builder 50
Anticorrosion agent 6
Optical brightener 0.3
Water and inorganic filler 19.7
100.0

Preparation of Soap
Cold Process Soap
Soap can be made through a cold process or hot process technique. In the
cold process technique, oils and fats combined with lye at about 120degrees
Fahrenheit, and poured into molds once the soap has thickened to a “trace”. Soap
cures in molds for about 48 hours, where it completes most of the saponification
process. The bars are then cut and the soap must cure for several weeks to allow
the excess water to evaporate and generate a hard bar that lasts a long time.
Examples of soap made by the cold process method include our hand and body
soaps, facial soaps and shampoo bars.
Hot Process Soap
In hot process soap making, the oils and lye are combined and kept at about
150 degrees Fahrenheit in a slow cooker to speed up the saponification process.
Once a thick trace is met, soap is poured into molds and then cut a few days later.
Examples of soaps made by the hot process method include our shaving soap, and
our foaming hand soap.

Effects of Soaps and Detergents on Environment:

Soaps, as already stated, are biodegradable. This implies that when discharged into
water bodies, these are acted upon by microorganisms in presence of dissolved
oxygen into harmless products (e.g., carbon dioxide, water, carbonates and
bicarbonates). On the other hand, detergents affect the environment. Following are
given some of the harmful effects of detergents on the environment. Detergents
containing phosphate as builders contribute to the growth of algae in water bodies.
This results in consuming the dissolved oxygen and the aquatic animals are
deprived of oxygen resulting in their death. Thus, phosphate detergents are the
main cause of eutrophication of water bodies, particularly lakes.
Aquatic animals and water plants are severely affected by synthetic detergents. A
concentration of 2.5–3.5 per cent of common household detergents causes
mortality to some types of fish and retard the growth of (or even kill) the water
plants.

13
 The best way to check the environmental problems is to use non-phosphate
builders. Some builders which have been tried are EDTA, sodium citrate, zeolite-A
[Na2O.Al2O3.2SiO2.4.5H2O] and nitriotriacetic acid [N(CH2COOH)3]. However, none
of these is as efficient as the phosphate additives.
https://www.owlgen.in/what-are-the-harmful-effects-of-soaps-and-detergents-on-
environment/

What’s More

Activity 1. Emulsifying Property of Soaps and Detergents

Soaps and detergents are similar in their general structure and properties,
but different in their composition and some specific properties. In this experiment
you will study the emulsifying property of household soap and detergent.
Materials needed
Cooking oil, mineral oil, or lubricating oil (whichever is available in your home)
5 disposable plastic cups, preferably 100 ml
Droppers

A. Preparation of Testing Solutions

1. Prepare a soap solution by dissolving about 1 g of household soap in 60 mL (4
tablespoons) of
warm water in 1 disposable plastic cup, label it as soap solution. (Distilled water
is preferred, but not
essential).
2. Prepare a detergent solution by dissolving about 1 g your household detergent in
60 mL (4
tablespoons) of warm water in another disposable plastic cup, label it as
detergent solution. (Distilled water is
preferred, but not essential).
3. Dip a clean glass stirring rod into each solution, the soap and the detergent.
How does the residue on the stirring rods compare? (you may use a metal spoon in
lieu of stirring rod, use 1 spoon each for the 2 solutions)

B. Emulsifying Properties
1. Place 4 drops of an oil (either mineral oil, cooking oil, or household lubricating
oil) into each of three
disposable plastic cups. Label the cups with 1,2, & 3
2. Add 5 mL of water to disposable cup 1, 5 mL of soap solution to disposable cup
2, and 5 mL of detergent solution to disposable cup 3. Stir each cup vigorously
with spoon for 30 seconds to one minute, careful not to spill the contents.
(Remember to use separate spoon for each cup)
3. Observe the degree of oil emulsification in each tube as indicated by the
presence of suds and the absence of oil droplets in the liquid, or the absence of
oil scum on the inside of the test tube.
4. Record your results.
Observations:
1.Compare the residue on the stirring rods/spoons in Procedure A3.

14
2.Summarize your results of the emulsification test using the cooking oil, mineral
oil or lubricating oil.
3.Which is better emulsifying agent, the soap or the detergent? Explain.

PROPERTIES OF SOAPS AND DETERGENTS

Emulsifying Properties
As a result of their molecular structures, soaps and detergents are both
capable of emulsifying or dispersing oils and similar water-insoluble substances.
Behavior in Hard Water
The sodium and potassium salts of most carboxylic acids are water soluble.
However, the calcium, magnesium, and iron salts are not. Thus, when soaps are
placed in hard water that contains such ions, an insoluble, curdy solid forms. Most
of us have seen these results in the form of a bathtub ring or soap scum
floating in bath or wash water. This process removes soap ions from solution, and
decreases the cleaning effectiveness of soaps.

a soluble soap an insoluble soap

The calcium, magnesium, and iron forms of most detergents are more soluble in
water than the corresponding soap compounds. Consequently, detergents function
almost as well in hard water as they do in soft water.
Alkalinity
Soaps undergo a hydrolysis reaction in water. As a result, soap solutions
tend to be alkaline. Detergent solutions, on the other hand, are more neutral.
Reaction with Mineral Acid
Soaps, the sodium salts of fatty acids, are water soluble, but the fatty acids
themselves are not. A soap can be converted into the fatty acid by means of a
reaction with a strong mineral (non-organic) acid.

Thus, the acidification of a soap solution causes the fatty acid to precipitate.
Acidification of detergents, on the other hand, produces acids which are often water
soluble.

What I Have Learned

Directions: Summarize what you have learned from the lesson by completing
the sentences using words given from the box below. Use a separate paper
for your answers.

soap detergent similar properties

structure calcium ions household cleaners
real phosphates laundry detergents
magnesium ions

15
 Soaps and detergents are ___________ in their general __________ and
properties, but different in their composition and some specific _____________.
Soaps and detergents found at home can be grouped into personal cleansing
products, __________, dishwashing products and ____________. Syndets or synthetic
detergents contain little _______ detergents. Large quantity of _________ is needed
when the water is hard. Hard water contains dissolved salts of __________ and
________. Soaps are biodegradable while detergents that contains _________ are non-
biodegradable.

What I Can Do

Activity 2. Analysis of Shampoo at Home

Directions: Read the label of the shampoo that you are using at home. Determine
the ingredient/s that make it anionic, cationic or non-ionic detergent. Remove the
label, if possible and paste it on your answer sheet. Write your answers in Table 1.
Use the learning activity sheet on the last page for your answers.
Table 1. Analysis of Shampoo at Home
Type of Product
Product Brand name (anionic, cationic, non-ionic) Name of
ingredient

Shampoo

Assessment

Multiple Choice. Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the chosen letter on a separate sheet
of paper.
1. Soap was invented as long ago as ___________ years.
a. 200 c. 1000
b. 300 d. 2000
2. Today’s soaps are synthesized from products including:
a. plastics
b. synthetics
c. sodium hydroxide and alcohol
d. proteins and hydrochloric acid

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 3. Soap work because the “water-loving” end of the soap molecule and
the “water-hating” end attracts:
a. Grease or dirt c. water molecules
b. Hard water d. other soap molecules
4. The “water-loving end of the soap molecule has a charge that is:
a. neutral c. negative
b. positive d. uncharge
5. The “water-repelling” end of the soap molecule has a:
a. discharge c. negative
b. positive d. neutral or no charge
6. Hard water contains a lot of calcium and ____________.
a. Iron salts c. potassium salts
b. Sodium salts d. magnesium salts
7. Which of the following is TRUE about soaps?
a. Soaps are used as a thinning agent
b. Soaps contain carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms
c. Soaps have been manufactured since the 17th century
d. All of these
8. ___________ induce the conversion of animal fats and natural oils into soap.
a. Alkene suspensions c. alkaline mixtures
b. Acetylene solutions d. alcohol compounds
9. When phosphates from cleaning products reach our waterways, they
encourage the rapid growth of algae. This in turn extracts too much oxygen
from the water and fish suffocate. This harmful process is:
a. hydrophilic c. phosphatisation
b. nutrification d. eutrophication
10. The “water-loving”end of the soap molecule is also called:
a. eutrophic c. hydrophilic
b. hydrophobic d. hydrogenic
c.
For numbers 11-15, refer to the following structure of soap molecule:
O
║
CH3-CH 2-CH 2-CH 2-CH 2-CH2-CH 2-CH 2-CH 2-CH 2-CH 2-CH 2-CH 2-CH 2-CH 2- C – O- Na+

A B C
11. Which of the following is TRUE about A?
a. it is polar
b. it is soluble in polar substances
c. it is a long hydrocarbon chain
d. all of these
12. Which of the following is TRUE about B?
a. it is ionic
b. it is soluble in water
c. it is a carboxylic acid group
d. all of these
13. Which of the following is TRUE about C?
a. it is ionic
b. it is a metal ion
c. it is a metal salt
d. it is a metal cation

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14.The long hydrocarbon chain is soluble in:
a. water
b. polar substances
c. fats and oils
d. all of these
15. The carboxylic group is soluble in:
a. water
b. non-polar substances
c. fats and oils
d. all of these

Additional Activities

Find out what are the Cleaning products you are using at home. Make list of
the products, then identify the category of each. Use the four categories of soap and
detergents, you learned in this module, as your guide

References
Caret, R.L.,et.al. 1997.Principles and Applications of Inorganic, Organic, &
Biological Chemistry. McGraw-Hill: USA

Di Giuseppe, M. et.al.2006. Science Perspectives. Thompson Learning Asia.

Singapore

Johnston, D.O., et.al.1973. Chemistry and the Environment. W.B. Saunders

Company.USA.

Fassbinder-Orth, C. 2020.The Science of Soaps and Detergents. Bountiful

Blossoms Bee Co.

https://www.britannica.com/Science/soap/

https://www.pinterest.ph/debmedgms/hand-hygiene-in-healthcare/
https://fukudalab.org/2020/04/06/coronavirus-fomo/
https://app.biorender.com/biorendertemplates/figures/5e99f5395fd61e0028682c
01/t-5f1756a32baea000aee869d2-how-soap-kills-covid-19
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAVXJerKrA8

https://www.owlgen.in/what-are-the-harmful-effects-of-soaps-and-detergents-on-
environment/
https:www.qldscienceteachers.com/junior-science/chemistry/quizzes/soaps-and-
detergents

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 LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEET
MODULE 2: CHEMISTRY OF SOAPS AND DETERGENTS
(WEEK 3-4)
NAME _______________________________________ DATE ________________________
GRADE & SECTION __________________________ SCORE ______________________
Part I.
A. Write TRUE if the statement is correct and FALSE if the statement is
incorrect; and underline the word/s that made it incorrect.
______ 1. Soap cleans by acting as an emulsifier.
______ 2. Translucent soaps are specialty bar soap.
______ 3. The non-ionic hydrocarbon end of a soap molecule has the property to
attract water.
______ 4. One end of soap molecule is made of sodium and carboxylic group,
responsible for its hydrophobic effect.
______ 5. The two ends of a soap molecule act as a mediator that separates oil and
water.
______ 6. Detergents use synthetic ingredients and work well in acidic conditions.
______ 7. Syndets are effective in hard water but not on soft water.
______ 8. Both soap and detergents are biodegradable.
______ 9. Non-ionic detergents have lower foaming potential than anionic
detergents.
_____ 10. Sulfonate is an ingredient in some shampoos that may cause skin or
scalp irritation in some people.
B. Determine whether the product given is Personal cleansing product, laundry,
dishwashing, or household cleaner. Write your answers in the column provided.

Category
Product (Personal cleansing product, laundry,
dishwashing, household cleaner)
1.liquid soap
2. bleaches
3.dishwashing detergents
4.toilet bowl cleaner
5.heavy duty cleaner
6.glass cleaner
7.fabric softener
8.medicated soap
9.rust remover
10.metal cleaner

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