Soaps are used to remove dirt and bacteria. Without soap sanitation is impossible. Humans have been using soaps since 2800 BCE. Soaps were discovered accidentally while mixing animal fat with wood ash during a religious ceremony. Later on, people call it soap as they find it effective as a cleaning agent.
Caustic soda, also known as Sodium hydroxide or lye is the basic ingredient for soap making. In addition to this potassium hydroxide is also used in soap making. Both are cleaning agents but caustic soda is the base of soap and liquid soaps while sodium hydroxide comes in granules, flakes, or powders.
There is an innovation in the soap industry. Now, many other organic ingredients, essential oils, and herbs are used with caustic soda to make soaps for a gentle and leather effect on the skin.
Soap making is an art that combines science and creativity, transforming raw materials into cleansing and lathering wonders. At the heart of this alchemical process are caustic chemicals, essential for turning fats and oils into soap. In this exploration, we delve into the world of caustic chemicals used in soap making, understanding their roles, precautions, and how they contribute to the magic of soap creation.
Precautions and Handling during soap making:
Wear safety gears:
Caustic soda is a chemical so you need to wear safety gear like gloves, goggles, and a mask. As they are good for protecting your skin, eyes, and respiratory system as well.
Ventilation:
In the soap-making process, you need to take care of adequate ventilation to avoid the gasses released during the mixing process.
Caustic Soda Dilution Technique:
To control the reaction of chemicals you need to dilute caustic soda in water. It will prevent splattering.
How to make soap with caustic soda?
Soaps are produced commercially and at home as well. There is an extensive range of soaps available as per the type of your skin as well. The basic and main ingredient to make soaps is caustic soda or sodium hydroxide. Here is the detail of some fundamental steps to make soaps:
Accurate measuring of ingredients:
- Choose your ingredients according to the type of soap that you want to make. Almost 40% of lye needs to be concentrated in the soaps. You may also add two or three types of oil in soap making.
- Dilute caustic soda with water. It’s good to wear gloves because it will produce heat during this stage of the process.
- Now it’s time to add color, fragrance, and essential oil of your choice. After combining oil, allow the soap to rest for up to 24 hours.
- Now it’s time to add heat to your soap to make it smooth and in proper liquid consistency.
- When you will get the liquid in your desired consistency then pour them into desired shape molds. It can be silicone or wooden boxes. Let them take the shape of the mold and set.
When soap will acquire the desired shape then pack them in custom soap packaging boxes. It will keep your soap safe to be used later. Or if you want to sell them then your printed soap packaging boxes will enhance the visual appearance of your boxes. You can also use these boxes as marketing and advertising tools for your soaps.
Are there any harmful chemicals used in soap making?
The most harmful chemicals used in soap making are alkaline ingredients. That is the reason you need to wear gloves and glasses when making soap. But to make them skin-friendly we add different oils and natural ingredients. This makes soaps safe to use.
This is the reason why the homemade or artisan soap industry is flourishing. As people can add the material that is good for their skins they tend towards the homemade soap industry.
Benefits of using caustic soda flakes in soap making:
Versatile:
Caustic soda flakes can be used to make a variety of soaps including regular soap,or liquid soap.
Economical:
Caustic soda flakes are cheap as compared to other soap making ingredients. Thus they help to keep the price of the soap lower. Additionally, they are easily available in local chemical shops.
Easy to store:
Caustic soda flakes are easy to store. You can keep them stored for longer in ordinary boxes.
Natural:
Caustic soda is a natural ingredient, easily available and eco friendly.
Difference between types of soap on the base of ingredients:
Antibacterial Soaps:
A soap having antibacterial ingredients is known as antibacterial soap. Benzalkonium chloride and alcohol are mostly used in antibacterial soaps. However, this industry is shifting to use triclosan to make antibacterial soaps.
Standard Liquid Soaps:
Caustic soda is used with fat or different oils in the formation of standard liquid soaps. We use these soaps to remove dirt and make our hands clean from dust.
Liquid Soap:
It is a strong cleaning agent that is used for laundry, dishwashing, cleaning, and handwashing. Potassium hydroxide is used in the making of liquid snaps as they keep soaps soft.
Artisan soaps:
Handcraft or artisan soap is made using oil, and butter like shea butter, honey, herbs, sandalwood, charcoal, and many more organic ingredients. All these helmets have been used for thousands of years.
Conclusion:
The soap-making industry is growing rapidly because of their demand. An extensive variety of soap is available including standard soap, antibacterial, liquid, and artisan soaps. In all types of soaps, caustic chemicals serve as catalysts. It helps to turn soap hard and use it for cleaning purposes. Further, pack these soaps using custom soap packaging boxes to use them later or to sell them in the market.
