It is most commonly a cleansing agent used by humans. Water alone doesn t get through dirty or oily surfaces well. Soap consists of sodium sterates in water, which forms sterate ions. Soap reacts with calcium ions in hard water so it forms a scum of calcium sterate. Detergent A detergent usually refers to an organic chemical substance that is made with carbon.
Detergent is the salt of sulfonic acid, which then forms sulfonate ions in water.
Detergent is also a chemical based petroleum, which removes dirt in saponifacation. The ions don t react with calcium ions, so a result is found that a scum is not formed. Oxygen sulfur and hydrogen compounds combined with water clean soiled materials. Soap has a different chemical makeup but is considered detergent also in a sense is a substance that cleans soiled materials. Some stain removers that are commonly used are Shout, Spray N Wash, and Wisk.