1001 Space Earth Nature History Human World Science and Technology Chemistry Materials Force and Energy Heat and Light Electricity and Magnetism Industry Machines Electronics and Computers Cars and Trucks Railways Ships Aircraft Fishing and Agriculture Undersea Exploration

How do detergents work? Molecules of detergents are long and thin, like a match. The head end dissolves in water and the tail dissolves in grease. Usually grease holds dirt onto cloth. When dirty cloth is washed in detergent, the grease-soluble tails plug themselves into globules of grease. They surround it and form ball-shaped micelles, which float off the cloth, with the grease, into the water. In a washing machine, detergent molecules attach themselves to large grease globules and lift them off the cloth.   Previous: Back Book: 1001 Section: Science and Technology Chapter: Chemistry