The cleaning action of soap and detergent in water is due to the formation of

The cleaning action of soaps and detergents is primarily due to the formation of micelles in water. Soap molecules are sodium or potassium salts of long-chain carboxylic acids, consisting of a hydrophilic (water-attracting) ionic head and a hydrophobic (water-repelling) hydrocarbon tail [1]. When added to water, these molecules arrange themselves into spherical aggregates called micelles [4]. In this structure, the hydrophobic tails point inward to trap oily dirt and grease, while the hydrophilic heads face outward to interact with water [3]. This process emulsifies the oil, allowing it to be suspended in water and washed away from the fabric [1]. Detergents function through a similar mechanism, using hydrophobic and hydrophilic groups to lift dirt even in hard water [4].

Sources

1. [1] Science , class X (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: Carbon and its Compounds > Activity 4.10 > p. 75
2. [3] Science , class X (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: Carbon and its Compounds > What you have learnt > p. 77
3. [2] Science , class X (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: Carbon and its Compounds > Activity 4.12 > p. 76