The Science of Soap: From Solid to Liquid

🧼Soap works as a surfactant, emulsifying oils and allowing them to be carried by water.

🔬Soap is made through a process called saponification, which breaks down triglycerides into fatty acid salts and glycerol.

💧Soap molecules arrange themselves into micelles when mixed with water, allowing them to pick up oil and dirt.

🧪Soap can be made through the cold process or hot process, with different additives and bases used to create various properties.

🛁The cold process of making soap involves mixing oils and sodium hydroxide, followed by curing for several weeks.

What is saponification?

—Saponification is the process of breaking down triglycerides into fatty acid salts and glycerol to create soap.

What is the difference between the cold process and hot process of making soap?

—The cold process involves mixing oils and sodium hydroxide, followed by curing, while the hot process uses heat to speed up the saponification reaction.

Can I add different scents and colors to my homemade soap?

—Yes, you can customize your homemade soap by adding essential oils, herbs, or colorants to create different scents and colors.

How long does it take for soap to cure?

—Soap made through the cold process typically takes four to six weeks to cure, allowing excess water to evaporate and the soap to harden.

Can I make liquid soap using the cold process?

—Liquid soap is typically made using the hot process, which involves heating and cooking the soap ingredients to accelerate the saponification reaction.

00:00Soap is made through a process called saponification, which breaks down triglycerides into fatty acid salts and glycerol.

10:00The cold process of making soap involves mixing oils and sodium hydroxide, followed by curing for several weeks.

15:00Various additives and scents can be used to customize homemade soap, and it can be molded into different shapes.

19:00The soap is cured for four to six weeks to allow excess water to evaporate and the soap to harden.