soaps

• Soap


  A salt of a fatty acid used in a variety of cleansing and lubricating products. In a domestic setting, soaps are surfactants usually used for washing, bathing, and other types of housekeeping
• Soap


  A cleaning or emulsifying agent made by reacting animal or vegetable fats or oils with potassium or sodium hydroxide. Soaps often contain coloring matter and perfume and act by emulsifying grease and lowering the surface tension of water, so that it more readily penetrates open materials such as textiles
• Detergent


  A water-soluble cleansing agent which combines with impurities and dirt to make them more soluble, and differs from soap in not forming a scum with the salts in hard water
• Detergent


  Any of a group of synthetic, organic, liquid or water-soluble cleaning agents that, unlike soap, are not prepared from fats and oils, are not inactivated by hard water, and have wetting-agent and emulsifying-agent properties
• Saponification


  The process by which soap is made
• Ingredients for soap


  • Fats or Oils (Triglycerides)
  • Alkali (Sodium Hydroxide or Potassium Hydroxide)
  • Water
  • Glycerin
  • Additives
• Saponification process


  1. Breaking down the triglycerides into fatty acids and glycerol

  2. The fatty acids then react with the alkali to form soap molecules and glycerin

  3. The resulting soap is effective in cleaning because it has both hydrophilic (water-attracting) and hydrophobic (water-repelling) parts, allowing it to interact with both water and oils
• Soaps


  • Amphiphilic nature - have a dual nature, with one end of the molecule being hydrophilic (polar or water-loving) and the other end being hydrophobic (nonpolar or water-repelling)
  • Surface activity - can reduce the surface tension of water, enabling them to spread across surfaces and break down oily or greasy substances
  • Cleaning action - effective cleansers due to their ability to emulsify and lift away grease, dirt, and oils from surfaces
  • Emulsification - have the ability to form emulsions, which are stable mixtures of oil and water
  • Formation of micelles - in aqueous solutions, soap molecules can form structures called micelles which aids in the removal of dirt and grease
  • Alkaline nature - generally alkaline substances, contributing to their cleaning ability
  • Biodegradability - can be broken down by natural processes in the environment, making them environmentally friendly
  • Mildness - generally considered mild on the skin
• Preparation of soaps


  1. Measuring ingredients

  2. Saponification - mix the fats or oils with the alkali in the presence of water

  3. Heating - the mixture is heated to facilitate the saponification process

  4. Stirring - stir the mixture continuously to ensure uniform mixing and reaction

  5. Testing for completion - a simple test called the "soapification value" or "insoluble matter test" can be performed to determine if saponification is complete
• Principal types of soaps

  • Hard Soaps
  • Soft Soaps
  • Transparent Soaps
  • Medicated Soaps
  • Glycerin Soaps
  • Antibacterial Soaps
  • Deodorant Soaps
• Hard Soaps


  • Typically made from sodium salts of fatty acids derived from animal fats or vegetable oils
  • Solid and firm at room temperature
  • Commonly used for personal hygiene, such as bathing and handwashing
• Soft Soaps


  • Usually made from potassium salts of fatty acids and are often derived from vegetable oils
  • Have a semi-solid or liquid consistency at room temperature
  • Often used for cleaning purposes, such as washing dishes or household surfaces
• Transparent Soaps


  • Made by dissolving soap crystals in alcohol and then removing the excess water
  • Clear and have a glass-like appearance
  • Popular for decorative purposes and may also be used for personal hygiene
• Medicated Soaps


  • Contain additional ingredients such as antibacterial agents, antifungal compounds, or other therapeutic substances
  • Formulated to address specific skin conditions or to provide additional health benefits
• Glycerin Soaps


  • Contain glycerin, which is a natural byproduct of the soap-making process
  • Glycerin helps retain moisture, making these soaps suitable for individuals with dry or sensitive skin
  • Often used for skincare as they are considered more moisturizing compared to some other types of soap
• Antibacterial Soaps


  • Contain added antibacterial agents such as triclosan or triclocarban
  • Marketed for their ability to kill bacteria, these soaps are often used in environments where extra hygiene is desired
• Deodorant Soaps


  • Contain ingredients that help control body odor
  • Formulated to leave a pleasant scent on the skin and to reduce or eliminate unpleasant odors
• Saponification is the process that converts fats into soap through chemical reactions.
• The reaction between the fatty acid and the alkali produces soap.
• Soap is made by reacting fats or oils with an alkali, usually sodium hydroxide (NaOH) or potassium hydroxide (KOH).
• Soap can be made from various materials including animal fats, plant oils, and synthetic detergents.
• -the basic recipe for soap — it is a reaction between fats and a strong

  base. The exact chemical formula is C17H35COO- plus a metal cation,

  either Na+ or K+. The final molecule is called sodium stearate and is a

  type of salt.
• The general chemical equation for saponification is:

  Triglyceride + 3 NaOH → Glycerol + 3 Soap Molecules
• What is the insoluble test method?

  We test insoluble using the centrifuge method. A measured volume of oil is

  mixed with a heated solvent, agitated, and spun at high speed. Insoluble

  materials collect at the bottom of a tapered glass test tube and can then be

  quantified.