Soap-making is one of the lucrative business ventures in Ghana. Making soap is relatively easy and requires simple equipment. Chemicals used in making are readily available in the market and comparatively cheaper. However, there are dangers associated with making soap whether using the cold process or the hot process. This article is going to teach you how to make laundry bar soap at home and even for business.
INGREDIENTS
As mentioned earlier, ingredients for making soap are readily available in the market and it is very cheap for anyone to buy. In this soap we are going to make, we will need the following chemicals. Please kindly note that these are not the only ingredients needed to make Turmeric soap.
- Caustic Soda 150 grams
- Oil - Coconut oil 500 ml
- Silicate 60 ml
- Fragrance 10 ml
- Turmeric powder 10 grams
These are the basic ingredients needed to make turmeric bath soap. It should also be noted that these are not the only ingredients needed to do the turmeric soap
EQUIPMENT NEEDED
To make soap whether, for bath or laundry, you will need some equipment to make the soap. It must also be noted that these equipment are too used solely for the production of soap and not to be mixed with the household equipment.
Hydrometer
This is an instrument used to measure the concentration of sodium hydroxide or caustic soda to ensure that, you have a soap that will cure very fast and will not have any effect on your skin. In some cases or the absence of a hydrometer, people have devised the means of using an egg to check the concentration of caustic soda. That will be discussed in our post.
Measuring scale
For accuracy and a good product, you will need a measuring scale or weighing scale to measure the ingredients. It is easy to get a measuring scale on the market or you can equally order the measuring as well as any other equipment from us here
Calibrated Cups
As you need a measuring scale, you will also need calibrated measuring cups to assist the measuring scale. For some reason, some people understand measuring liquid ingredients like oil and water by mileage and not gram. So if you are one of those people, you will need the measuring cup.
Spatula
You will stir the soap when you are making it. So you will need the spatula to do the stirring. Commonly, the wooden spatula is always recommended if you are using this a business. Of course, you are using the plastic spatula but the quantity you are making at a go will determine the type of stirring rod to be used.
Plastic bowl
You cannot do the soap in silver but plastic if you are doing soap through the cold process. You can also do it in a glass jar but for the hot process, you should do it in stainless steel. Resort to a plastic bowl in which you are doing the cold process.
Gloves
You will also require gloves in doing your soap to protect your hands. The sodium hydroxide or the lye is very caustic and so you must wear gloves or protective gear to prevent an accident.
Nose mask
When sodium hydroxide mixes with water, it releases choking gas in order words, nitrogen, which can make you cough. So it is important to wear protective gear like a nose mask when mixing the sodium hydroxide.
Soap mold
You will require something to put the soap in the shape that you want. For home use, you will need a silicone mold but for commercial purposes, there is a wooden cutting machine that can help you to make your soap.
PROCESS/INSTRUCTIONS
Following this process accordingly, should help you prepare or make about 12 tablets of soap from the ingredients listed up there.
Soak your caustic soda in water
You will need to dissolve the caustic soda in water to make your soap. You can leave it overnight for 2 days or even more to make your soap. This does not mean you cannot do the soap the same day you soak the caustic soda.
Measure your oil and pour it into a bowl
After mixing your caustic soda in water, put your oil into a bowl to begin the soap-making mixing process. You can use oils like palm oil, palm kernel oil, coconut oil, olive oil, and even shea butter oil to do the soap. The choice of oil largely depends on the type of soap you want to produce.
Measure the caustic soda into the oil
For every liter of oil used, you should always use 500 ml of caustic soda solution to make your soda. The ratio depends on the particular type of soap you want to make. Soaps like the Ghanaian “Azuma Blow” go with a ratio of 1:1 but the normal bathing and laundry soap goes with a ratio of 1:2. That is one part of caustic soda and two parts of oil. Add the addictive ingredients
Other ingredients like fragrance, silicate, and turmeric powder are all addictive and the quantity to be used are large to your discretion. You decide the quantity you want in the product. In the case of fragrances, some of them do affect the tracing process of the soap and so you should be mindful of the type of fragrance you choose for your soap.
Pour the soap mixture into your mold to get the desired shape
After mixing the soap, you will have to put it into your desired shape. The shape is your choice. If you do not have any mold, you can leave in the mixing bowl for it to harden and then use a knife to cut.
CAUTION!
Lye is extremely caustic. It causes burns if splashed on the skin and can cause blindness if splashed into the eye. If drunk, they can be fatal. Because of these dangers, keep small children away from the processing room while the soap is being made.
If you follow this process very well, you should be able to make some Tumeric soap work in the house. Please don’t forget to leave your comment and also don’t forget to follow our blog to learn how to produce other products.