======Making Soap======


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**Materials: **{{$demo.materials_description}}\\
**Difficulty: **{{$demo.difficulty_description}}\\
**Safety: **{{$demo.safety_description}}\\
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**Alternative titles:** Saponification and Soap Purification
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====Summary====                   
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====Procedure==== 
  - Mix coconut oil and sodium hydroxide solution in a beaker.  
  - Heat gently while stirring until water evaporates and soap forms.  
  - Allow the mixture to cool and test the pH of the crude soap.  
  - Add distilled water and then mix in a hot sodium chloride solution.  
  - Decant the liquid using cheesecloth, leaving behind the solid soap.  
  - Test and record the pH of the soap.  
  - Repeat the salt wash two more times, measuring pH after each wash.  
  - Add a few drops of fragrance oil and press the soap between filter paper.  
  - Place the soap in a mold and allow it to dry overnight.



====Links==== 
Science Experiment | How to make soap | Saponification | Preparation of Soap in Lab | Sodium Soap - Jagdish Kothawade: 
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Soap Making Tutorial and Recipe for Absolute Beginners (you can do it!) - Elly's Everyday Soap Making: 
{{youtube>lBc-dWQmFIM?}}\\

📄 The Chemistry of Clean: Make Your Own Soap to Study Soap Synthesis - Science Buddies: [[https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project-ideas/Chem_p096/chemistry/how-to-make-soap]]\\

📄 DIY: Make Your Own Soap - The Open University: [[https://www.open.edu/openlearn/science-maths-technology/science/chemistry/diy-make-your-own-soap]]\\


====Variations====
  * Measure the pH of the liquid removed during decanting.  
  * Change the boiling time and compare soap yields.  
  * Vary the reaction temperature and measure soap yield.



====Safety Precautions====
  * Safety glasses required.  
  * Gloves and lab coat or apron required.  
  * Sodium hydroxide is caustic and can burn skin and eyes.  
  * Never wear contact lenses when handling sodium hydroxide.  
  * If sodium hydroxide contacts skin, wash with water immediately.  
  * If sodium hydroxide gets in the eyes, rinse with water for at least 15 minutes and seek medical help.  
  * Remove and wash clothing splashed with sodium hydroxide.  
  * Use heat sources carefully and avoid splattering.




====Questions to Consider====
  * What other oils can be used for soap making? (Examples include olive oil, palm oil, and soybean oil.)  
  * Why is potassium hydroxide sometimes used instead of sodium hydroxide? (It produces softer, liquid soaps.)  
  * What is a micelle? (A spherical structure formed by soap molecules in water that helps trap and remove grease and dirt.)  
  * What is the most common fatty acid in coconut oil? (Lauric acid.)  
  * How does the structure of a soap molecule make it a good cleaner? (It has a hydrophilic end that interacts with water and a hydrophobic end that binds oils and grease.)  
  * What is a triglyceride? (A fat molecule made of glycerol and three fatty acids.)