If you have ever wondered how does soap clean, you have found out that you need to learn a bit of molecular chemistry first. Here is a short version of the process.
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Molecules are groups of two or more similar atoms that are electrically bonded together. It was once thought that molecules were part of a neat orderly progression from atoms upward to visible matter, but that is not completely true. Some substances such as rocks do not have molecules at all. Most things do though including grease and oils that tend to adhere to the skin of the body.
Another thing that consists of molecules is soap. Now, when you get dirt on your hands, for example, you can take water and wash your hands. This will remove much of the dirt because much of the dirt is water soluble. This means that the dirt molecules get mixed up with the water molecules and just float away right off your hands. The grease and oil molecules are not water soluble. In fact, they have a tendency to cling with tenacity to the molecules of the skin.
The molecules of soap, due to their unique chemical and electrical makeup, act as handles or connectors between the grease and oil and the water. It might be said that the soap is making the not-water-soluble soluble, but it is actually more complicated. The soap molecules are actually attaching to the molecules of the grease and to the molecules of the water. Therefore, they all just float away together like the soluble dirt.
One of the problems with soap is that this process sometimes gets carried away. Natural body oils are also attached to the soap and water and are removed. This leads to dry, chapped, but very clean skin. This is why many soaps have certain oils added to them to replace the natural oil that might be removed. The glycerol that was a part of the soap making process in olden times went a long way toward keeping the skin soft and oiled, but today, glycerol is mostly removed to be used for other things.
This answers the question of how does soap clean in the simplest terms. The actual chemical processes involve a lot of letters and numbers of the kind that baffled many of us in Chemistry class. Although in recent years, detergents of various types have replaced soap in many cleaning applications, soap is much more environmentally friendly. It is also a boon to our health as a lot of microorganisms that are not really good for us like to hang out in that grease and oil clinging to our skin. Luckily, the same chemical bond that makes the process work removes them as well.
Answers to common soap making questions:
What is soap made from?
Soap is a composite product made from fats, lye, and water. It can also contain botanicals, fragrance, and dyes.
What makes homemade soap different from mass produced soap?
Handmade soap is softer and more luxurious than mass produced soap. It also is less likely to crack and dry out then mass produced soap is. This is because homemade soap keeps its glycerin, and mass produced soap removes the glycerin.
Can you use handmade soaps the same day that you make it?
Homemade soap should be allowed to cure for several weeks before you use it. The longer the soap is cured the milder and gentler it will be.
What are soap pigments?
Soap pigments are used to give handmade soaps their color. Soap pigments, such as oxides, used to be mined from natural sources, however, now they are generally made in laboratories.
What are FD&C Colorants?
FD&C colorants are additives used to color your handmade soap. These coloring additives do not come from natural sources, they instead are created in laboratories.
Are there natural ways to color soaps?
Yes, there are natural products that you can use to color your soap. If you want yellow soap you can use saffron, Turmeric, or Carthamin. If you want red soap you can use paprika. If you want brown soap you can use cocoa powder or tea.
How many different types of soap making are there?
There are several different methods of making homemade soap. The basic methods include: melt and pour, hot processed, cold processed, and handmilled.
When should you add fragrance to your soap?
Fragrance should be added to the soap mixture after it has been completely melted and it has passed the stringy stage.
Can you use both fragrance oils and essential oils in cold process soap?
Yes both of these oils work well in cold process soap.
Is it normal for dried herbs and botanicals to turn brown in my homemade soap?
Yes it is.
Do I need to line my soap molds?
Generally yes you do. You can use grease, plastic wrap, or wax paper. Just make sure that you create a flat lining, and that there are no gaps between liner parts.