Mindanao State University

Marawi Campus

Department of Chemical Engineering

ChE 157 Unit Operations Laboratory 1

Experiment No.4

Bar and Liquid Soap

Presented to

Mary Jane G. Zozobrado

By

Ernie Mark P. Maratas

2020
 Abstract

Soap is made by combining fats (base oils, either fixed or carrier) and Lye Solution

(Lye + a liquid of choice). Each oil type is made up of fatty acid properties and contribute

something different to the bar of soap. The objective of this experiment is to produce bar soap

and liquid soap through this reaction.

 Introduction

Saponification is the chemical reaction between Lye and the fatty acid molecules in the

oil. Soap is made by combining fats and Lye Solution. Each oil type is made up of fatty acid

properties and contribute something different to the bar of soap. Soap is the alkali salt of fatty

acid. Some of the important fatty acids used in soap manufacture are lauric acid, myristic acid,

palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, ricinoleic acid. Fatty acids

have varying chain length and may be saturated or unsaturated. Fatty acid content of the oils

varies. Unsaturated fatty acids give softer soap with lower melting point and are less stable while

soap from saturated fatty acids is firm, slowly soluble, milder and have good detergency

[Dixit,2011].

The main objective of this experiment is to produce bar and liquid soap through

saponification. Bar soap is made using Sodium Hydroxide, and liquid soap is made using

Potassium Hydroxide.
 Materials and Methods

Materials:

 In bar soapmaking, the lye is Sodium Hydroxide

 Liquid soap requires Potassium Hydroxide

 Fat or Oil from either a plant or an animal

Hot Process

1. Set the slow cooker to low. Add the coconut oil.

2. As the coconut oil melts, prepare the lye solution. Slowly add the lye to the water.

3. With a spatula, carefully stir the water as you add the lye. It’ll become hot and release

fumes, which is normal.

4. Set aside the lye solution, and let cool for 15 to 20 minutes.

5. Check the oils. If the coconut oil has completely melted, add the olive oil. Stir well.

6. Once the oils have reached 49-54 degrees Celsius, place the immersion blender in the

side of slow cooker. Gently pour the lye to avoid splashing. Stir slowly.

7. Set the blender to low. Stir the mixture, moving in circles. Keep the blender immersed to

avoid air bubbles.

8. Continue blending and stirring for 10-15 minutes, or until the soap has reached trace.

This is when the oils and lye have emulsified and look like pudding.

9. Cover the slow cooker, and cook on low for 50 minutes. If the mixture bubbles, stir it

gently.

10. Turn off the slow cooker. Let cool until the mixture drops below 82 degrees Celsius. Add

essential oils and colorants, if using. Mix well.

11. Pour the mixture into the soap mold. Smooth the top with a spatula. Tap the mold onto

your work surface to eliminate air bubbles. Top with dried herb, if using.

12. After pouring the soap into the mold, let it sit for 24 hours.
 Results and Discussion

Table1. Amounts for ingredients used

Ingredients Mass, g

Water 12.56

Lye (NaOH) 12.56

Oils 100

Fragrance 2

In the first trial, too much amount of oil was used and ratio was wrong which resulted to

a soap which is too basic and a soap that is too soft. Another contributing factor to its basicity

was that 5 % excess of the oil was not applied that only little sodium hydroxide is consumed in

the saponification process. The soap was tested and was irritating to the skin. The second trial, the

soap produced took a longer time to harden, because olive oil bars also take considerably longer

to react. The soap from olive oil, however, was softer and can be a good moisturizer. The length

of the hydrocarbon chain and number of double bonds in the carboxylic acid salt of the

carboxylic acid portion of the fat or oil determine the properties of the resulting salt.
 Conclusion

The experiment succeeded in yielding a partially-hardened soap through the traditional

hot process method where oils and fats are mixed with a solution of sodium hydroxide. In this

experiment, the triglyceride (oils and fats) is reacted with a strong base (lye) to produce glycerol

and fatty acid salts (soap). The aforementioned process is called saponification, the main process

in making soaps, where the principal acids are hydrolyzed. The ratios and measurements of the

ingredients and chemicals used are crucial in this experiment.

 Appendix and References

References

[1] www.healthline.com/health/how-to-make-soap

[2] Making Soap - Saponification (Experiment). (2020, June 30). Retrieved July 30, 2021,

from https://chem.libretexts.org/@go/page/95547

[3] https://www.engineering.iastate.edu/brl/files/2011/10/brl_soaplab.pdf