What are parrafins?

Explanation

Soaps such as sodium stearate ionise as :
`underset("soap")(C_17H_35 COO^- Na^+) overset(H_2O)(iff) underset("sterate ion")(C_17H_35COO^- + Na^+) `
This may be represented as polar and non-polar end as shown in the figure.

Dirt on cloth is due to dust particles in grease. When cloth is dipped in aqueous solution of soap, then soap and dirt come in contact with each other. Non-polar end dissolves the dirt particles. The polar end is directed towards the water. In this way, each dirt particle is surrounded by a number of negative ions. Since similar charges repel each other, therefore, bigger dirt particles break into small ones. These small particles disperse in water. As a result, they form emulsion. These can be removed by rubbing or agitation due to washing. In this way, dirt particles are removed from the cloth.