Question

How does soap remove an oil spot?

Answer 1

It works because soap is made up of molecules with two very different ends. One end of soap molecules love water - they are hydrophilic. The other end of soap molecues hate water - they are hydrophobic. Hydrophobic ends of soap molecule all attach to theoil.

Answer 2

When soap is introduced to an oil spot, the hydrophobic end of the soap molecules bind with the fats in the oil, enveloping the fats with soap molecules. With the hydrophobic ends bound to the fat molecules, the salt ends of the soap molecules face outward.