How to Make Soap in a Lab
Soap making is a great way to teach children about reactions between chemicals and a wonderful method for creating natural soap that each child can take home from the lab, which makes it both educational and useful. Making soap in a lab uses only a few ingredients and makes it easy to enact safety measures, such as wearing the protective gloves and goggles that are typically worn in labs. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you teach soap making in a laboratory.
Things You'll Need
- 16 oz. olive oil 16 oz. palm oil 16 oz. coconut oil 16 oz. water 7 oz. lye Large burner Large stockpot Large glass beaker 2 glass thermometers Soap molds Glass stirrer Protective goggles for each person Protective gloves for each person
Instructions
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Combine all of the oils in a large stockpot, and place it over a large burner in the lab. Make sure that everyone is wearing protective gloves and goggles. Place a glass thermometer into the pot to gauge the temperature. Heat slowly, stirring constantly, until the temperature reaches 110 degrees Fahrenheit.
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Combine the lye and the water in a large glass beaker. Be extra careful not to let the lye or the lye water touch skin or to let the fumes get into the eyes or become inhaled. Lye is very caustic. Insert a glass thermometer into the beaker and watch it carefully. The temperature should reach 110 degrees Fahrenheit.
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Pour the lye mixture into the oil mixture carefully once both mixtures have reached 110 degrees Fahrenheit. Stir constantly using a glass stirrer. Continue stirring until the mixture looks like a thick pudding in consistency.
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Pour the soap mixture into soap molds, being careful not to let any of the mixture touch skin. Place the filled soap molds into a dark and cool part of the laboratory. Let the soaps cure for at least 6 weeks before using. Once the soaps are cured, let the children take turns lathering their hands with their new soap.
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Tips & Warnings
Always wear protective goggles and gloves. Do not breath in lye. Do not let lye fumes get into your eyes.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Images Courtesy of Fotosearch
