Ncert Exercises & Solutions

16.26 If the water contains dissolved calcium hydrogen carbonate, out of soaps, and synthetic detergents which one will you use for cleaning clothes?

Synthetic detergents are preferred for cleaning clothes. When soaps are dissolved in water containing calcium ions, these ions form insoluble salts that are of no further use. However, when synthetic detergents are dissolved in water containing calcium ions, these ions form soluble salts that act as cleansing agents.