Question

What happens when you add Epsoms Salt (MgSO4) to laundry detergent? And vice-versa?

Answer 1

there are various types of laundry detergents. but i am going ot guess that it is an ionic reaction or something of the like.

Answer 2

Well I figured out what happens when you add Epsoms Salt (Magnesium Sulfate MgSO4) to the Laundry Detergent (Sodium Carbonate Na2CO3):

Double Replacement Reaction: Magnesium Sulfate (aq) [MgSO4] + Sodium Carbonate (aq) [Na2CO3] --> (yields) Magnesium Carbonate (s) [MgCO3] + Sodium Sulfate (aq)[Na2SO4]

Magnesium carbonate is insoluble in water, the rest of the compounds are water soluble

MgSO4 is a solid, and
CaSO4 is soluble, meaning the Ca 2+ and SO4 2- are soluble in water

Binary inorganic compounds that are soluble in water generally form strong electrolytes (ionize completely in water):
Mg(2+) + SO4(2-) + 2Na(+) +CO3(2-) --> MgCO3(s) + 2Na(+) + SO4(2-)

Sulfate and Sodium ions are "Spectator Ions" (appear on both sides of equations):
Mg(2+) + CO3(2-) --> MgCO3(s) Could replace sulfate with nitrate, or sodium with potassium, and reaction still be shown in net ionic reation AND spectator ions remain unchanged in reaction

= Nothing happens to sodium and sulfate ions, they dissolved and remained in that state, they did not combine with anything; they did not change their form once they were dissolved in water and net reaction proceeded; sodium sulfate is quite soluble in water and can precipitate out a very high concentration, but the magnesium carbonate precipitated first, as it is less soluble.
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Though I do not know much about the reverse experiment, I do know that a white precipitate occurs as it does in the above experiment. The experiment requires both diluted washing soda to epsoms salt, and vice-versa: diluted epsoms salt to washing soda..

**** If anyone knows the reverse experiment results, please let me know!