What is Soap?
Define: Soap
A substance used for washing and cleaning.
Define: Cold Process
The process of making soap by mixing lye, water, oil and fat.
Why must you be extremely cautious and safe when working with Lye?
Lye is an EXTREMELY dangerous chemical. It is corrosive & caustic and can cause extreme damage if swallowed, inhaled or comes in direct contact with the skin.
Essential oils & Fragrance oils are vastly differently.
Explain 1 key difference between the two
Why you would generally add more fragrance oil than essential oil to soap?
Essential oils are natural, coming from plants; while fragrance oils are synthetically made.
Because essential oils are much stronger than fragrance oils you would typically use less in soap making.
What type of mold is used to pour soap batter in?
A silicone mold
Who were the first people to invent and use soap?
The Ancient Egyptians & Babylonians
Define: Curing
Allowing the soap to sit in a well ventilated space to firm up and to allow the lye and water to be processed and evaporated out of the bar.
This ensure that soap is firm and safe to use.
What are the items you MUST wear when making soap and working with Lye?
Face Mask/Covering, Safety Goggles, Gloves, Long Sleeves, Long Pants
What is the online tool called that can help you develop and customize your own soap recipe?
Soap Calculator
How long does it take for soap to fully cure?
4-6 weeks
What are the key components of soap?
Define: Saponification
A chemical reaction where a fat and oil interact with a strong base to produce suds.
What type of room should you work in when making soap? Why?
A well ventilated room. This helps to prevent inhaling any fumes created by the lye.
What instrument(s) can use to create swirls in soap?
Chopstick, Hanger tool, Any flexible and lye safe object.
What can happen if a bar of soap is used before fully curing?
You can experience soap that will leave your skin dry and itchy or worse case scenario, soap that burns your skin.
Name 1 natural soap making ingredient
Name 1 synthetic soap making ingredient
Natural: Shea Butter, Coco Butter, Oil, Water, Lye, Clay, Essential Oil, Herbs & Flowers
Synthetic: Synthetic Fragrances, Artificial Colors, Parabens, Sulfates
Define: Emulsion
When two or more substances that normally wouldn’t mix (i.e. oil & water) bind together in stable way that prevents separation.
What is the correct way to mix lye & water?
Lye should be added to water.
Water should never be added to lye.
What is the standard water to lye ratio?
1: 1
What type of environment does soap need to cure in?
To properly cure, soap needs a cool, dry room with good air circulation, ideally out of direct sunlight; a basement, garage, or a large cabinet with a rack are good options for storing curing soap.
What is Lye? What is its chemical formula?
Lye is an alkali compound necessary to soap making.
NaOH
Define: Trace
The custard like texture that occurs when lye, oil, fat and water are mixed and emulsified beyond the point of separation.
What type of equipment should you NEVER use when making soap?
When making soap, you should never use equipment that you use to make food or other products with.
What ratio is the ideal water to lye ratio that allows for swirling? And why?
2: 1
This ratio is ideal for swirling as the mixture stays softer for longer allowing defined swirls to be achieved.
How long after pouring into a mold should you take soap out of the mold before cutting it?
24-48 hours