Lecture on Soap Making

Introduction to Soap

• Soap Usage: Used for washing dishes, clothing, etc.
• Function: Acts as a surfactant, emulsifies oils to be carried by water.

Historical Context

• Traditional Soap Making: Used rainwater, animal fats/vegetable oils, and ashes.
• Discovery: Major ingredient in ashes was base.
• Development: Liquid soap patented by William Sheppard in 1865.

Chemistry of Soap

• Source: Derived from triglycerides (fat storage in plants & animals).
• Structure:
  • Glycerol backbone
  • Fatty acid tails connected by ester bonds.
• Saponification Reaction:
  • Triglycerides + strong base (e.g., sodium hydroxide) → glycerol + fatty acid salts (soap).
  • Polar head (hydrophilic) & non-polar tail (lipophilic).

Mechanism of Action

• Micelles Formation:
  • Soap molecules form spherical micelles in water.
  • Micelles hold oil droplets internally, presenting a stable emulsion.
• Colloid Suspension: Micelles create a dispersed suspension, preventing oil coalescence.

Soap Making Process

• Processes: Cold process and hot process.
• Cold Process:
  • Easily molded, compatible with additives, takes 4-6 weeks to cure.
• Hot Process:
  • Cures quickly (about a day), limited molding options, not compatible with many additives.

Experimental Soap Making

• Ingredients for Solid Soap:
  • Olive oil, coconut oil, sodium hydroxide.
  • Possible other oils: sunflower, almond.
• Additives: Lavender, cinnamon oil, maple coffee.

Procedure

1. Sodium Hydroxide Solution:
   • Dissolve 80g sodium hydroxide in 200ml distilled water.
   • Generates heat; handle with care and use eye protection.
2. Oil Preparation:
   • Weigh and mix 500g olive oil with melted 100g coconut oil.
3. Saponification:
   • Mix sodium hydroxide solution with oils using a hand blender.
   • Reaction forms salted fatty acids and glycerol; ensure some oil remains (super-fatting).
4. Trace Stage:
   • Achieve stable emulsion; can vary thickness based on preference and additives.

Additives and Molding

• Seven Varieties: Cinnamon, almond, lavender, cocoa, poppy seeds with food coloring, menthol, maple coffee grounds.
• Molding: Transfer to molds; cured for 6 weeks.

Conclusion and Next Steps

• Outcome: Successfully made solid soap; liquid soap using hot process to be covered in next segment.
• Engagement: Contest for soap giveaway; encouragement to follow for updates and support on Patreon.

Additional Notes

• Safety: Emphasized safety measures when handling sodium hydroxide.
• Community Engagement: Invitation to contribute music for video end credits.