Chemistry Project Soaps and Detergents

Chemistry Practical Project on Soaps and Detergents
Introduction
Soaps and detergents are essential substances in our daily lives, primarily used for cleaning
purposes.
Soap is a chemical compound made by the reaction of a fat or oil with an alkali, a process
known as saponification.
Detergents, on the other hand, are synthetic cleaning agents made from petroleum
products. While both are used for cleaning,
they differ in composition, effectiveness in hard water, and environmental impact. The
purpose of this project is to study
the properties of soaps and detergents, understand their differences, and observe their
behavior when used for cleaning.
Theory
Chemistry of Soap:
Soap is a salt of a fatty acid. Its molecules contain a long hydrocarbon chain, which is
hydrophobic (water-repelling),
and a carboxylate group, which is hydrophilic (water-attracting). This dual nature allows
soap molecules to surround grease
and dirt particles, emulsify them, and make them soluble in water, allowing them to be
washed away.
Chemistry of Detergents:
Detergents are surfactants or a mixture of surfactants with "cleaning" properties. Detergent
molecules are also amphiphilic,
meaning they have a hydrophobic tail and a hydrophilic head. Unlike soaps, detergents do
not form insoluble salts with calcium
and magnesium ions, which makes them more effective in hard water.
Difference between Soap and Detergents:
Aspect | Soap | Detergent

--------------------|--------------------------------------|------------------------------------------
Source | Natural oils/fats | Petroleum products
Water Type | Less effective in hard water | Effective in both hard and soft water
Environmental Impact | Biodegradable | Some are non-biodegradable
Aim
The aim of this project is to study the preparation, properties, and effectiveness of soaps
and detergents, as well as to compare
their cleaning actions on different types of stains.
Materials Required
- Sodium hydroxide (NaOH)

- Animal fat or vegetable oil
- Distilled water
- Common salt (NaCl)
- Ethanol
- Lemon juice or vinegar (acid for pH testing)
- Various detergent powders
- Beakers, test tubes, pipettes, and glass rods
- Weighing balance
- Heating source
- Gloves and protective eyewear for safety
Procedure
(a) Preparation of Soap (Saponification Process)

1. Measure 50 grams of animal fat or vegetable oil and place it in a beaker.
2. In another container, prepare a sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution by dissolving 20
grams of NaOH in 50 ml of distilled water. Stir until the NaOH dissolves completely.
3. Slowly add the NaOH solution to the oil while continuously stirring.
4. Heat the mixture gently while stirring. This initiates the saponification reaction, where
the fat reacts with NaOH to form soap and glycerol.
5. Once a thick paste forms, add a small amount of salt. This will help separate the soap from
the remaining solution.
6. After the soap solidifies, collect it and rinse with cold water to remove excess NaOH.
(b) Preparation of Detergent Solution

1. Take 20 grams of commercially available detergent powder and dissolve it in 100 ml of
distilled water.
2. Stir until the powder dissolves completely, forming a clear detergent solution.
(c) Testing the Cleaning Effectiveness of Soap and Detergent

1. Take two glass plates or fabric pieces and apply oil or grease on them.
2. Clean one with soap and the other with detergent using water.
3. Observe and record the effectiveness of each cleaning agent.
Test in Hard Water:

- Prepare hard water by dissolving calcium chloride in distilled water.
- Repeat the cleaning experiment with soap and detergent solutions on the greased surfaces
using hard water.
- Observe and compare the results.
Observations
Observation Table:
Sample | Cleaning Agent | Water Type | Effectiveness (Rate 1-5) | Observations

--------|----------------|------------|--------------------------|----------------------------------------------
1 | Soap | Soft |4 | Cleaned moderately well
2 | Detergent | Soft |5 | Very effective, left no residue
3 | Soap | Hard |2 | Left white precipitate
4 | Detergent | Hard |5 | Effective, no precipitate formed
From the observations, we can infer that detergents perform better in hard water compared
to soap, which forms an insoluble precipitate (soap scum).
Results and Conclusion
1. The saponification process successfully produced soap, which showed moderate cleaning
effectiveness in soft water.
2. Detergents proved to be highly effective in both soft and hard water.
3. The difference in performance can be attributed to the chemical nature of soaps and
detergents.
4. Detergents are preferred in areas with hard water due to their non-reactivity with
calcium and magnesium ions.
Conclusion: Detergents are more versatile cleaning agents, especially in hard water.
However, soaps are more environmentally friendly as they are biodegradable, while certain
synthetic detergents may pose environmental concerns.
Precautions
1. Handle NaOH with care as it is a strong alkali and can cause burns.
2. Wear gloves and safety goggles during the experiment.
3. Ensure all glassware is clean before use.
4. Dispose of chemicals properly as per your lab guidelines.
References
- Textbooks: ISC Chemistry Textbook for Class 12

- Online sources:
- “The Chemistry of Soap and Detergents” from Chemistry LibreTexts.
- Articles from American Cleaning Institute.

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Chemistry Practical Project on Soaps and Detergents

Difference between Soap and Detergents:

Aspect | Soap | Detergent

- Sodium hydroxide (NaOH)

(a) Preparation of Soap (Saponification Process)

(b) Preparation of Detergent Solution

(c) Testing the Cleaning Effectiveness of Soap and Detergent

Test in Hard Water:

Sample | Cleaning Agent | Water Type | Effectiveness (Rate 1-5) | Observations

Results and Conclusion

- Textbooks: ISC Chemistry Textbook for Class 12

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