Hey there, future scientists! Today, we’re diving into the super cool world of soap-making. It’s made through a process called saponification, and it’s kind of like a science experiment for cleanliness!
Meet the Soap Squad: Alkali and Fat
Soap is made by mixing an alkali and a fat. Examples of alkalis are sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide. Cocoa butter and shea butter are examples of fats.
The alkali breaks the ester bonds in the fat. Ester bonds are certain links holding the fat together. When the alkali attacks these links, two new materials are created – glycerol and a fatty acid salt (i.e. soap).
Beer Bonanza: A Twist in the Tale
Typically, the alkali is mixed with water, creating an alkali solution that is combined with the fat to create glycerol and soap. Imagine instead of using plain old water, we use BEER! Yep, you heard it right – beer in soap. Why? Beer brings special ingredients to the soap party. There are proteins in beer, and proteins have amide bonds. When the alkali attacks these bonds, it releases amino acids into the soap. These amino acids can help soothe skin irritation.
That’s not all – brewer’s yeast in beer can give soap a boost of vitamins like biotin and pantothenic acid. Plus, beer makes the soap lather up better, giving you a bubbly and fun experience!
Now, not everyone loves the smell of beer, right? No worries! We can add fragrances to make the soap smell amazing. So, when you wash your hands, it’s not just about cleaning – it’s a spa-like experience!
The Tale of Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Heroes
Soap has a hydrophobic (water-repelling) tail and a hydrophilic (water-attracting) head. Imagine your hands are like a surface covered in oils. The tail of the soap surrounds those oils and takes them away from the skin surface, leaving your hands super clean. And guess what? It’s not just for oils – even viruses with hydrophobic parts get attracted to soap’s tail and are washed away!
In a Nutshell: Beer vs. Water Soap
Whether you use water or beer, saponification happens when mixing an alkali and a fat. Beer’s ingredients provide additional benefits to the soap, though, such as vitamins, amino acids, and improved lather.
Elaine Kinney, founder of White Pine Bath and Brew, produces beer soap with fragrances such as Sea Salt Bar, Cocoa Butter Bar, and Shea & IPA. Check it out to see beer soap up close and personal.