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Course: Date Submitted:
Laboratory Activity #3
Saponification Process: Soap Making
Soap making has remained unchanged over the centuries. The ancient Roman tradition called for
mixing rain water, potash and animal tallow (rendered form of beef or mutton fat). Making soap was a long
and arduous process. First, the fat had to be rendered (melted and filtered). Then, potash solution was added.
Since water and oil do not mix, this mixture had to be continuously stirred and heated sufficiently to keep
the fat melted. Slowly, a chemical reaction called saponification would take place between the fat and the
hydroxide which resulted in a liquid soap. When the fat and water no longer separated, the mixture was
allowed to cool. At this point salt, such as sodium chloride, was added to separate the soap from the excess
water. The soap came to the top, was skimmed off, and placed in wooden molds to cure. It was aged many
months to allow the reaction to run to completion.
All soap is made from fats and oils, mixed with alkaline (basic) solutions. There are many kinds of
fats and oils, both animal and vegetable. Fats are usually solid at room temperature, but many oils are liquid
at room temperature. Liquid cooking oils originate from corn, peanuts, olives, soybeans, and many other
plants. For making soap, all different types of fats and oils can be used – anything from lard to exotic
tropical plant oils.
Objective:
The students should be able to understand the saponification process and produce a soap.
Materials:
500g of selected oil (any) 100ml Beakers
100g of another oil (any) Stirring rod
Distilled water Graduated cylinder
20% NaOH Triple beam balance/ Digital scale
250ml Beaker Small empty container (e.g, solid dishwashing container)
Coloring dye Fragrances (e.g, lavender, ginger, ground coffee, etc…)
Personal protective equipment Hot plate
Procedure:
1. Put 500g of selected oil in 250ml beaker; then mix 100g of another oil in the beaker. Pre heat the
mixture by placing in a hot plate with an estimated temperature of 35 degree Celsius. Then stir
using a stirring rod.
2. Add 200ml of 20%NaoH solution in the mixture. You can observe some cloudiness as the
beginning of the reaction. Stir the mixture.
3. Continue stirring the mixture for about 20-45 minutes until the mixture becomes slowly smoother
and more opaque; or should thicken in consistency. You may take turns with your lab partner.
4. When the mixture is consistent, transfer it in 4 separate 100ml beakers in equal amounts (half of
the container each).
5. Put a desired fragrance and coloring dye to each mixture in separate beakers.
6. Transfer the mixture in a mold/ empty container. After pouring into the mold, the process will
continue on its own. The soap will heat up and liquefy again, then cool off slowly, harden and
dry. So, the soap must be left undisturbed for at least 12 hours. You will pick up your finished
soap in lab next week.
Results:
You may make observations after the soap has dried; it will be returned in lab section or lecture.
1. Did your soap solidified? Wash your hands with your soap. Does it lather like regular soap?
2. During lab section, why did the saponification reaction require the long period of stirring?
3. Write/ draw the process of saponification reaction that occurred during the experiment. Make sure
to label each reactions.
4. Provide a picture of your soap product experiment below.
