INDEX
INDEX
1.1.INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
1.INTRODUCTION
2.2.OBJECTIVE
OBJECTIVE
3.3.MATERIALS
MATERIALSREQUIRED
REQUIRED
2.OBJECTIVE
4.4.THEORY
THEORY- -THE
THESCIENCE
SCIENCEBEHIND
BEHINDSOAP
SOAP
5.5.PROCEDURE
PROCEDURE
3.MATERIALS
6.6.OBSERVATIONS
OBSERVATIONSAND REQUIRED
ANDCHEMICAL
CHEMICALEQUATION
EQUATION
7.7.PROPERTIES
PROPERTIESANDANDAPPLICATIONS
APPLICATIONSOF
OFSOAP
SOAP
4.THEORY
8.8.GRADES
GRADESOF - THE SCIENCE BEHIND SO....
OFSOAP
SOAP
9.9.TOILET
TOILETSOAP
SOAPVS.VS.OTHER
OTHERSOAPS
SOAPS
10.
10.5.PROCEDURE
LIFETIME
LIFETIMEOFOFSOAP
SOAP
11.
11.PRECAUTIONS
PRECAUTIONSDURING
DURINGPREPARATION
PREPARATION
12. 6.OBSERVATIONS
12.CONCLUSION
CONCLUSION AND CHEMICAL EQ...
13.
13.BIBLIOGRAPHY
BIBLIOGRAPHY
7.PROPERTIES AND APPLICATIONS OF...
8.GRADES OF SOAP
9.TOILET SOAP VS. OTHER SOAPS
10. LIFETIME OF SOAP
11.PRECAUTIONS DURING PREPARATION
12.CONCLUSION
13. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Text
PREPARATION OF SOAP
INTRODUCTION
Soap is one of the oldest and most widely used
chemical products in human civilization. The
process of soap making goes back to ancient
Babylon around 2800 B.C. Today, soap is
essential for personal hygiene, household
cleaning, and even industrial applications.
Soaps are produced through a process called
saponification, which involves the reaction of
oils/fats with an alkali. This reaction yields soap
and glycerol. In this project, we explore how
soap is prepared in the laboratory, its
classification, lifetime, and its various grades,
including a focus on toilet soap.
OBJECTIVE
• - Understand Saponification:
To grasp the chemical reaction between a fat or oil
(triglyceride) and a strong base (like sodium hydroxide
or potassium hydroxide).
• Learn the Process:
To become familiar with the steps involved in soap
making, including the mixing of ingredients, heating,
and the crucial "salting out" process.
• Examine Soap Properties:
To observe and analyze the properties of the soap
produced, such as its cleansing action, foaming ability,
and how it interacts with water (including hard water).
• Develop Practical Skills:
To gain hands-on experience in the lab, including
measuring ingredients accurately, controlling
temperature, and handling chemicals safely.
• Explore Soap Variations:
To potentially experiment with different types of
fats/oils and additives to see how they affect the final
soap product.
MATERIALS REQUIRED
- Coconut or castor oil – 25 Ml
- Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) – 6.5 g
- Distilled water – 20 mL
- Sodium chloride (common salt) – 10 g
- Beaker (250 mL)
- Glass rod
- Tripod stand with wire gauze
- Burner or hot plate
- Funnel and filter paper
- Measuring cylinder
- Mould (optional)
THEORY – THE SCIENCE BEHIND SOAP
Soap is made by the saponification of
triglycerides (fats/oils) with a strong base
(typically NaOH). This is a hydrolysis reaction in
which the ester bonds of fats are broken by the
hydroxide ions.
Saponification Reaction:
Fat (oil) + NaOH → Glycerol + Soap (sodium salt
of fatty acid)
Each soap molecule has:
- A hydrophilic head (water-attracting)
- A hydrophobic tail (repels water, attracts
grease)
This structure helps soap to emulsify and lift
dirt and oil from surfaces.
PROCEDURE
1. Measure 25 mL of oil into a beaker.
2. In another container, dissolve 6.5 g of NaOH
in 20 mL of distilled water
(caution: exothermic).
3. Slowly mix the NaOH solution with the oil
while stirring.
4. Heat the mixture gently for 15–20 minutes
until a thick paste forms.
5. Add 10 g of salt and continue stirring.
6. Let the mixture cool and solidify.
7. Filter out the solid soap and wash with cold
water.
8. Let it dry and optionally mold it.
OBSERVATIONS AND CHEMICAL EQUATION
- Lye mixture heats up and produces fumes.
- Soap batter thickens and emulsifies when
mixing oils and lye mixture.
- Soap develops a distinct smell and texture.
- Soap sets and hardens in molds.
- Soap develops a gel phase and becomes
translucent.
- Final soap texture and appearance depend on
ingredients and mold used.
Balanced Chemical Reaction (Example using
stearic acid):
C₁₇H₃₅COOH + NaOH → C₁₇H₃₅COONa + H₂O
PROPERTIES AND APPLICATIONS OF SOAP
Physical Properties:
- Appearance: Soaps are typically solid, opaque,
and can have various colors and shapes
depending on their formulation.
- Texture: Soaps can be hard or soft, depending
on the ingredients used. Hard soaps are often
more cleansing, while soft soaps are gentler on
the skin.
- Solubility: Soaps are generally soluble in
water, which allows them to be used for
cleaning purposes.
Applications:
- Personal hygiene
- Cleaning fabrics and dishes
- Industrial use (textiles, lubricants)
- Cosmetic industry
GRADES OF SOAP
Grade I Soap:
- High-quality soap with >76% Total Fatty
Matter (TFM)
- Used in toilet soaps and personal care
- Mild, lathers well, and has minimal additives
Grade II Soap:
- Medium-quality soap with 70% to 76% TFM
- Used in laundry soaps or multipurpose
cleaning
- Can be slightly harsher on skin
Grade III Soap:
- Low-quality soap with less than 70% TFM
- High filler content, low cleansing efficiency
- Used for industrial or rough cleaning tasks
TOILET SOAP VS. OTHER SOAPS
Toilet Soap:
- Specially formulated for skin use
- Contains high TFM (Grade I)
- Enriched with moisturizers, perfumes,
essential oils
- Manufactured under strict cosmetic
regulations
- pH-balanced for skin
Ordinary Soap:
- May include detergents or fillers
- Less skin-friendly
- Used for laundry or general cleaning
Examples of Toilet Soap Ingredients:
- Glycerin
- Aloe vera
- Fragrance
- Lanolin
- Essential oils (e.g., lavender, rose)
LIFETIME OF SOAP
Soap does not 'expire' in the conventional sense
but degrades over time. Factors that affect
soap's shelf life include:
Factor | Effect
Moisture | Causes softening and microbial
growth
Fragrance | May fade after 6–12 months
Natural oils | Can go rancid over time
Light/Heat | Causes discoloration and
breakdown of additives
Average Shelf Life:
- Commercial soaps: 2–3 years
- Handmade/natural soaps: 6–12 months
How to Prolong Soap Life:
- Store in a dry, cool place
- Avoid direct sunlight
- Keep unused bars in airtight containers
- Use soap dishes that drain water
PRECAUTIONS DURING PREPARATION
- Work in a well-ventilated area: Lye can release
fumes that can cause respiratory problems.
Ensure good ventilation in your workspace.
- Handle lye with care: Lye is a strong alkali that
can cause burns. Handle it carefully, and never
mix it with water in a small container.
- Measure ingredients accurately: Ensure accurate
measurements of lye and oils to avoid an
imbalance in the soap's pH level or texture.
- Use a digital thermometer: Monitor the
temperature of the lye and oil mixtures to ensure
they are within a safe range for mixing.
- Avoid over-mixing: Mix the soap batter just until
the ingredients are well combined. Over-mixing
can cause the soap to become too thick or
separated.
CONCLUSION
The preparation of soap demonstrates
fundamental organic chemistry through the
saponification process. Soap not only cleans but
also represents a real-world application of
chemical concepts.
Understanding the different grades of soap and
their composition helps in making better
choices for personal and industrial use.
Knowing how long a soap remains effective is
crucial for safety and hygiene. This experiment
also teaches practical laboratory safety,
chemical handling, and product formulation
skills.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
- NCERT Class XII Chemistry Textbook
- Modern's ABC of Chemistry
- “The Science of Soap” – Chemistry World
- www.chemguide.co.uk
- BYJU’S Chemistry Notes
- “The Art of Soap Making” – Susan Miller
Cavitch
- Wikipedia – *Soap, Saponification*
- PubChem Database – Fatty Acids and Esters
- Indian Standards for Soap Grading – BIS
- FDA Cosmetic Guidelines (for toilet soap
standards)
