CLEAPSS Supporting practical science and technology
Search Science site:     
Log InHelplineSite FeedbackCLEAPSS Home Page
Science HomeBulletinsCourses
Equipment
All EquipmentBuy It GuidesMake It GuidesGuidesHazCardsLaboratory Handbook
Join CLEAPSS
Membership DocumentsMailing List
Practical Procedures
All ProceduresBiologyChemistryPhysicsRecipe SheetsStudent Safety Sheets
Subject Areas
All SubjectsBiologyChemistryPhysicsSupplementary RAsTeaching Resources
Technicians
Technicians HomeJob AdvertsTechnicians NetworksBuy It GuidesMake It GuidesTechnician TipsUseful LinksWhat's NewVideos
PP086 - Making soap the microscale way
Soap making is an ancient process, going back at least 4000 years. It is an example of saponification of an ester group, which is sometimes included in GCSE, A-level and BTEC courses. The conventional procedure can be hazardous as concentrated sodium hydroxide solution is heated with oil, which can spit. Some recipes use highly flammable ethanol.