Introduction :
Soap is made by heating animal or vegetable oils with sodium hydroxide. Esters present in fats are broken down to glycerol and sodium salt of fatty acid.
Let us discuss the cleaning action of natural organic soap in detail:
The cleaning action of natural organic soap depends on its structure.
E.g. Sodium stearate consists of a long hydrocarbon chain which is hydrophobic (water-hating), attached to an ionic head, which is hydrophilic (water - loving). These molecules dissolve in water because of ionic end to the molecule.
When dissolved in water, the soap molecules lower the surface tension of the water, makiang it wet objects more easily. The molecules also interact with grease and dirt present in the cloth. The hydrophobic hydrocarbon chain is attracted to the grease and become embedded in it. The hydrophilic head of molecule points away from dirt and is attached to water molecule. When water is agitated, the grease is released from the cloth fibre or dish and is completely surrounded by soap molecules. Rinsing with fresh water removes this grease. The use of soap in hard water creates lots of problems because it forms scumbs with hard water. But nowadays synthetic detergents are available which do not scumb witrh hard water. Sodium alkylbenzene - sulphonates were developed in 1970s.
They have a similar long hydrocarbon chain to soap molecules, but the ionic group at hydriphilic head has been changed. The early synthetic detergent molecules were not biodegradable and cause pollution problems in rivers and streams.
Soap is made by heating animal or vegetable oils with sodium hydroxide. Esters present in fats are broken down to glycerol and sodium salt of fatty acid.
Fat + Sodium hydroxide ------------> Soap + Glycerol
This reaction is called saponification.Let us discuss the cleaning action of natural organic soap in detail:
Cleaning Action of Natural Organic Soap
The cleaning action of natural organic soap depends on its structure.
E.g. Sodium stearate consists of a long hydrocarbon chain which is hydrophobic (water-hating), attached to an ionic head, which is hydrophilic (water - loving). These molecules dissolve in water because of ionic end to the molecule.
When dissolved in water, the soap molecules lower the surface tension of the water, makiang it wet objects more easily. The molecules also interact with grease and dirt present in the cloth. The hydrophobic hydrocarbon chain is attracted to the grease and become embedded in it. The hydrophilic head of molecule points away from dirt and is attached to water molecule. When water is agitated, the grease is released from the cloth fibre or dish and is completely surrounded by soap molecules. Rinsing with fresh water removes this grease. The use of soap in hard water creates lots of problems because it forms scumbs with hard water. But nowadays synthetic detergents are available which do not scumb witrh hard water. Sodium alkylbenzene - sulphonates were developed in 1970s.
They have a similar long hydrocarbon chain to soap molecules, but the ionic group at hydriphilic head has been changed. The early synthetic detergent molecules were not biodegradable and cause pollution problems in rivers and streams.
Uses of Natural Organic Soap:
- Natural organic soap can be used to avoid or reduce many skin problems.
- Its ingredients have been produced without using fertilizers or pesticides, so it is not harmful to the skin.
- It leaves our our skin feeling clean and moisturised.
- Glycerine, which is a great moisturizer is retained by the natural organic soaps.
- Reduction in the use of toxins helps to create better living environment.
- Most of them are also free from animal fats, which prevents the killing of animals.
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