Preparation of Soap

The items most commonly used in soap preparation are a strong alkali and animal lard and tallow and palm, coconut and olive oils from vegetables. Salt is also commonly added during the soap making process. When potassium hydroxide is used as the alkali, it will form softer soaps (liquid soaps and shaving creams). When sodium hydroxide is used as the alkali it makes very hard soaps (bar soap). Several processes are used while making soap. One is hydrolysis, the addition of water which causes a reaction. To create soap you must also go through the saponification process. Saponification is the fat digestion process effected with an alkali. Commonly used as alkali agents are sodium hydroxide (caustic soda), and potassium hydroxide (caustic potash). After these major chemical processes are complete, perfumes and coloring can be added to the soap to make it attractive to users and soaps can be molded into pretty shapes. http://homepages.ius.edu/DSPURLOC/c122/soap.htm http://www.teachsoap.com/