Soaps and Detergents

Bonifacio, Kamille P.
Java, Cindy G.
Java, Thea Monica V.
 Objectives
Characterize what soaps are made of and identify their common
sources.
Distinguish raw materials and identify products for soap formation.
Write saponification reactions and other pertinent reactions
involved in other methods of making soap.
Outline and discuss the continuous process for converting fatty acids
to soaps.
Define what detergents are and differentiate them from soap.
Define and classify principle ingredients of detergents.
Classify surfactants and recognize individual properties as these
relate to detergent formulation.
2800 BC
13th Century
 19th Century

Nicholas
Michael
Leblanc
Chevreul

Discovered the relationship Patented a method of making

and chemical nature of fatty sodium carbonate/Soda ash
acids, glycerin and fats from salt
World war 1

Germans developed Synthetic soap or

detergents
 Raw Materials

It performs the primary cleaning action.

Surfactants Any compound that affects surface tension
when dissolved in water or water solution.

Inorganic materials Also called as Builders

 Raw Materials

o Linear alkylbenzene sulfonate

Surfactants o Fatty acids(basic)
o Fatty Alcohol
o Alcohol Ethoxylate

o Oleum
Inorganic materials o Caustic soda/Lye (NaOH)
o Other Builders
Anionic Surfactants

Linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS) 3 (2 )11 6 4 3

Largest- volume synthetic surfactant

Produces by the sulfonation of linear alkylbenzene (LAB)
with oleum in batch reactors.
Anionic surfactants with molecules characterized by a
hydrophobic and hydrophilic group.
Anionic Surfactants
Fatty Acids
- Both saturated and unsaturated have long been
employed in many industries as both free acids, and,
more, frequently, as salts.
Anionic Surfactants
Fatty Alcohol
- Excellent performance in varying water hardness
Non Ionic Surfactants

Alcohol Ethoxylate
- Higher detergency than LAS
Inorganic Materials

Oleum Oil
- Strong dehydrating agent

- Harsh reagent and highly corrosive

Inorganic Materials

Caustic Soda
- Used to hydrolyze fats

- Cleaning agent specifically for degreasing

applications.
Inorganic Materials

Various Sodium Phosphates

- Tri sodium phosphate(TSP)/ trisodium
orthophosphate/sodium phosphate

- It has a pH of 12 which means it is an alkaline

- Used in softening the water by precipitating metallic ions.
Inorganic Materials

Builders
- Inorganic chemicals added to the soap

- Citrates (for heavy duty laundry products)

- Carbonates (for removing grease)

- Silicates (inhibit corrosion of stainless steel and

aluminum by synthetic detergents)
 Additives
Corrosion inhibitors - protect metal and washer parts from the action of
detergents and water
Carboxymethyl cellulose anti redeposition agent
Tarnish inhibitors use for preventing silverware tarnish
Fabric brighteners improve the whiteness
Bluings improve the whiteness of fabrics by counteracting the natural
yellow tendency
Antimicrobial agents kill or inhibit growth of microorganisms
Peroxygen-type bleaches help whiten, brighten and remove stains.
(better performance in lower water temperature)
 Raw Materials

Tallow Sodium Carbonate

Greases Potassium Hydroxide
Coconut Oil Sodium Silicate
Sodium Hydroxide Sodium Bicarbonate
Sodium Chloride Trisodium Phosphate
 Tallow
- The principal fatty material in soap making.
- Obtained from solid fat of cattle by steam rendering.
- Tallow is commonly mixed with coconut oil to
increase the solubility of the soap.

Greases

Second most important raw material (20% of the soap)

Extracted by steam rendering or by solvent extraction.
Obtained from hogs or other small animals.
 Coconut Oil

Soap from coconut oil is firm and lathers well.

Sodium Hydroxide caustic soda or soda lye

This solution, when mixed with fats and

oils, will cause a chemical reaction called
saponification.
Sodium Chloride

Soap makers add a bit of salt to their soap to help

increase the hardness.

Sodium Carbonate (soda ash)

Sodium Carbonate is ideal for hard water conditions.

 Potassium Hydroxide (caustic potash)

This is the chemical that induces

saponification of the fats and oils to
create liquid soap.

Sodium Silicate
It increases lather.
It also improves the soap ability to
remove oils where dirt hides and
sticks to your skin
Sodium Bicarbonate (baking soda)

Properties of Sodium Bicarbonate lend to natural

odor control, gentle, non-scrubby exfoliate,
and oil absorbing abilities.

Trisodium Phosphate

Cleaning agent
 Common Soaps

Dish Detergent Beauty Soaps

Laundry Soaps Medicated Soap
Personal soaps
 Dish Detergent
Dish detergents are made to remove tough grease
and release the solid dirt particles in the foam that is
produced by the detergent.

Laundry Soap

Laundry soaps are formulated to eliminate grease,

solid particles and organic compounds from clothes.
They can be found in liquid, powder and gel forms.
 Personal Soaps

This kind of soap is made in many forms

and special formulations for specific personal hygiene needs. One type of the
personal soap is the antibacterial soap that is made to prevent bacteria and
viruses from spreading. There are also body and hair soaps that have a mix of
ingredients that cleans both the skin and hair.
 Beauty Soaps
Beauty soaps are produced to feature attractive fragrances, and
ingredients for a variety of skin types. They can feature glycerin,
or special oil blends.

Medicated Soap

Medicated soaps and original soap are very similar.

Unlike original soap, medicated soap has the
addition of antiseptics and disinfectants.
 DETERGENTS SOAP
Detergents may react with hard Soaps form insoluble compounds
water ions but the resulting with the calcium and magnesium
products are either soluble or ions present in hard water.
remain colloidally dispersed in
the water.
1. Kettle Process
1. Kettle Process
2. Continuous Alkaline Saponification
- The basic chemical reaction in making of soap is called SAPONIFICATION

3NaOH + (C17H35COO)3C3H5 3 C17H35COONa + C3H5(OH)3

(Caustic Soda + Glyceryl stearate Sodium stearate + Glycerin)

The procedure is to split or hydrolize the fat and then after separation
from the valuable glycerin to neutralize the fatty acids with a caustic
solution.
2. Continuous Alkaline Saponification
Hot Process and Cold process

Differs in -using external heat

-time take to saponify

-cure time

-aesthetic
 Reference

Austin G.T. (1984). Shreves chemical process industries. USA.

Mcgraw-Hill