Experiment: Water Properties: Why were the results with just water so much different than the trials with the detergent?

Water is a universal solvent whose molecule are joined together with a force of attraction. Its surface tension is hidden between bonds. When washing, soap is added for easy penetration of water molecule and to decrease the surface tension. This then allow the water to move freely round the object been washed.

Detergent aid the distribution of water, of water is used alone without the detergent then the surface area of water will not be reduced to all even spread. But, if detergent is added the tension is reduced and a better result is obtained.