Dishwashing liquid uses surfactants to break down grease.
Dishwashing liquid, also known as dish soap, is a detergent designed for washing dishes by hand. It is chemically formulated to break down fats and oils and wash them away. Dishwashing liquid is engineered not only to clean effectively and quickly, but also to leave behind very little soap residue.
Ingredients
Dishwashing liquid, like all other detergents, is formulated to break up grease and dirt and is comprised of surfactants, solvents, builders and chelating agents.
Surfactants
The key active ingredients in dishwashing liquids are surfactants, which is a contraction of the words "surface active agent." Surfactants reduce surface tension by interfering with the hydrogen bonds between water molecules. Oil and water do not normally mix, but with the help of a surfactant, water can cut through grease and fat. Dishwashing liquids use a mixture of surfactants that are not too harsh for the skin.
Chemistry
The molecules of surfactants have two important components: one end of the molecule repels water, while the other attracts water. When the surfactant molecules are in a solution containing grease or oil, the end of the molecule that repels water -- the hydrophobic end -- becomes attracted to the grease and surrounds it. The other end -- the hydrophilic end -- draws it into the solution. This is how grease is removed from a plate and left suspended in the sink water, ready to be drained away.
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