Workbook: Soap Making
For Nursing Students
Topic: Soap Making
Learning Objectives
By the end of this workbook, you should be able to:
Understand the basic chemistry behind soap making.
Identify the materials and equipment used in soap making.
Follow a simple procedure to make soap safely.
Recognize the importance of soap in nursing and hygiene.
1. Introduction to Soap Making
Soap is made through a chemical reaction called saponification, where fats or oils react
with a strong base (usually sodium hydroxide) to produce soap and glycerol. Soap helps
remove dirt and microbes from the skin, which is essential in nursing for infection control.
2. Materials and Equipment
Materials Equipment
Oils or fats (e.g., coconut oil, olive oil) Mixing bowls
Sodium hydroxide (lye) Measuring spoons
Water Stirring rods or spoons
Essential oils (optional) Safety gloves and goggles
Colorants (optional) Soap molds
3. Safety Precautions
Always wear safety gloves and goggles when handling sodium hydroxide.
Work in a well-ventilated area.
Add lye to water slowly, never the other way around, to avoid splashing.
Keep children and pets away during soap making.
4. Basic Soap Making Procedure (Cold Process)
Measure water and sodium hydroxide carefully. Slowly add sodium hydroxide to water
while stirring. Allow the mixture to cool.
Heat oils/fats until melted.
When both the lye solution and oils are at about the same temperature (~40°C), slowly
mix the lye solution into the oils.
Stir continuously until the mixture thickens (called "trace").
Add essential oils or colorants if desired and mix well.
Pour the mixture into molds and cover.
Allow to cure for 24-48 hours before unmolding.
Cure soap bars in a dry, ventilated place for 4-6 weeks before use.
5. Activities
Activity 1: Match the Terms
Match the terms to their definitions.
Term Definition
a. Saponification 1. A chemical reaction producing soap from fats and lye
b. Lye 2. The base chemical used to make soap (sodium
hydroxide)
c. Trace 3. The thickening of soap mixture during mixing
d. Cure 4. The drying period to harden soap before use
Answer:
a - ___
b - ___
c - ___
d - ___
Activity 2: Safety Quiz
Answer the following questions:
[Link] should you add lye to water, and not water to lye?
[Link] safety equipment should you always wear when making soap?
[Link] long should soap cure before it is safe to use?
Activity 3: Reflection
Explain why soap making is relevant to nursing practice, especially regarding hygiene and
infection control.
6. Summary
Soap making is a practical application of chemistry that results in a useful product essential
in nursing. Understanding the process and safety precautions helps ensure safe, effective
soap production to support hygiene and patient care.