A detergent is an organic substance , composed of the components of the Carbon , Oxygen , Sulphur and Hydrogen. All soaps and detergents contain a vital cleaning agent called surfactant or surface active agent.
The molecules of the surfactant attach themselves to the particles of dirt on dirty surfaces and lift them away. A surfactant works because its one part is hydrophilic (attached to water) while the others is hydrophobic (repelled by water). The hydrophobic tail of a surfactant digs its way into the dirt , while the other tail is drawn into the water.
The surfactant increases the wetting ability of water by reduces its surface tension. The surface tension is the force that keeps water molecules separate from one another and helps to move deeper into the solid material. This is how dirt particles are removed.
BITS OF FACT
The first detergent was produced in 1916
by a German scientist named Fritz Gunther.
Soaps is made from animal fats or vegetable
oil combined with chemicals called alkalis,
such as sodium or potassium hydroxide.
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