(3) Detergents give lather even with hard water Explanation: Soaps are made of materials found in nature. Detergents are synthetic. a big drawback of washing with soap is that the minerals in water react with those in soap, leaving an insoluble film. Detergents react less to minerals in water and for all practical purposes are the product of choice for laundry, unless you have very soft water. On the other hand, soap will combine with the magnesium and calcium ions in hard water to create an insoluble residue that can clog drains and stick to clothing.