How does washing detergent work?

By Kit Chapman2024-02-02T06:24:00

Peering inside the drum of a washing maching on a cycle - there are bright clothes and soap suds

Source: © Africa Studio/Shutterstock

Discover the chemistry behind bright whites and clean coloured clothes, and the differences between washing powders, liquids and pods

All laundry detergents are designed to clean your clothes, so you might assume they all do this in the same way. But with a host of washing detergent types – such as bio, non-bio, colour-fast – coming in a vast range of powders, liquids, capsules and even strips, there’s far more different chemistry going on than first meets the eye. Read this Everyday chemistry article and provide context when teaching ions, emulsions, and hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties.

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