Why detergents are better cleansing agents than soaps? Explain.

Soln:

Detergents are better than soaps because detergents are ammonium or sulphonate salts of long chain carboxylic acids. Charged ends of theses will not for precipitate with calcium and magnesium present in hard water. On the other hand soaps will form precipitate with calcium and magnesium ions present in the hard water.