Soaps

Soaps

Soaps (/soʊps/) are a type of cleaning agent that are typically used for personal hygiene and cleaning. They are made from the reaction between an alkali and a fatty acid in a process known as saponification.

Etymology

The term "soap" originates from the Old English sāpe, which is akin to the Old High German seifa. Both terms are believed to be derived from the Proto-Germanic root *saipō.

Types of Soaps

There are several types of soaps, including:

• Bar soap: This is the most traditional form of soap, typically used for personal hygiene.
• Liquid soap: A liquid form of soap that is often used for hand washing.
• Medicated soap: This type of soap contains medicinal ingredients to help treat certain skin conditions.
• Antibacterial soap: Soap that contains ingredients intended to kill or inhibit the growth of bacteria.

Related Terms

• Detergent: A synthetic cleaning agent that can perform the same functions as soap but is made from different chemical compounds.
• Surfactant: A substance that reduces the surface tension of a liquid, allowing it to better interact with another substance. Soaps are a type of surfactant.
• Emulsifier: A substance that allows oil and water to mix, creating an emulsion. Soaps can act as emulsifiers.

See Also

• Hygiene
• Saponification
• Fatty acid
• Alkali

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Soaps
• Wikipedia's article - Soaps

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