Why detergents are better cleansing agents than soaps? Explain.
Detergents are better cleansing agents than soaps because they can be used even with hard water. The charged ends of detergents do not form insoluble precipitates with calcium and magnesium ions in hard water but soap doesn’t work in hard water. Hard water contains Ca2+ and Mg2+ ions which react with soap to form Insoluble salts of calcium and magnesium.
Detergents have a stronger cleansing action than soaps and are more soluble in water than soaps.