1. Synthetic detergents are formulated products containing either sodium salts of alkyl hydrogen suiphates or sodium salts of long chain alkyL benzene suiphonic acids.
2. Synthetic detergents are three types. They are
- anionic detergents – sodium lauryl sulphate.
- Cationic detergents – n – hexadecyltrimethyl ammonium chloride.
- Non-ionic detergents – Pentaerythrityl stearate.
3. Synthetic detergents can be used even in hard water, while soaps cannot be used in hard water.
4. The cleansing action of detergents are similar to the cleansing action of soaps.
5. When detergents are dissolved in water its hydrocarbon part attaches itself to grease and oil particles. Whereas its ionic part remains attached to water. Therefore when dirty clothes are agitated in solution of detergents then dirty particles sticks to the hydrocarbon part of detergents and at the same time the water loving ionic part pulls away this dirt from clothes.
