How to Make Liquid Dish Soap: Your Guide to Producing 30 Litres
How to Make Liquid Dish Soap: Your Guide to Producing 30 Litres
Are you looking for a guide on how to make liquid dish soap yourself to save money or start a small business? This comprehensive guide provides you with a professional and tested recipe for producing 30 litres of high-quality liquid soap, with a detailed explanation of the ingredients and steps to ensure an effective and safe product. Mastering this method is your first step toward independence in detergent manufacturing.
Table of Contents
1. Ingredients and Tools for Making Liquid Dish Soap
To prepare this recipe, you will need the following ingredients in the specified quantities. You can find most of these chemical products from specialized suppliers. Understanding the role of each component is a key part of learning how to make liquid dish soap.
| Ingredient | Quantity | Function in Making Liquid Dish Soap |
|---|---|---|
| Pure Water | Approx. 20 Litres | The primary mixing medium |
| Sulphonic Acid (Pure ) | 1 kg | The main active cleaning agent |
| Texapon (SLES) | 250 – 500 g | Boosts foam and cleaning power |
| Caustic Soda (Sodium Hydroxide) | 160-170 g (flakes) or 320-340 g (liquid) | To neutralize the sulphonic acid |
| Tylose (Thickener) | 75 g | To increase viscosity |
| Betaine (Foam Booster) | 100 g | To improve and stabilize foam |
| Salt (Iodine-Free) | 300 – 400 g | To adjust the final viscosity |
| Citric Acid | 25 g | To improve water quality and adjust pH |
| Preservative (Safe-to-use) | 60 g | To prevent bacterial and mould growth |
| Oil-based Fragrance | 20 – 30 g | To add a fresh scent |
| Colour (as desired) | A small amount | To give the product a distinct colour |
Required Tools:
- A plastic barrel with a capacity of 30 litres or more.
- A long wooden or plastic stick for stirring.
- Separate plastic containers for dissolving some ingredients.
- An accurate scale for weighing ingredients.
- pH measurement paper or a digital pH meter.
2. Safety Procedures: The Top Priority in Soap Making
Important Warning!
You are handling potentially hazardous chemicals. When learning how to make liquid dish soap, safety is the absolute top priority.
- Always wear safety goggles and rubber gloves.
- Work in a well-ventilated area.
- When dissolving caustic soda flakes, always add the soda to the water, not the other way around, and be cautious of the heat and fumes produced.
3. Detailed Steps on How to Make Liquid Dish Soap
Follow these steps in order to successfully complete your recipe for how to make liquid dish soap:
- Prepare the Water: Fill the barrel with about 20 litres of pure water. Add 25g of citric acid and stir until dissolved.
- Add Tylose (Thickener): Gradually sprinkle the 75g of Tylose onto the water’s surface while stirring quickly and continuously to prevent lumps. Continue until it’s fully dissolved.
- Add Caustic Soda: Add the caustic soda (liquid or pre-dissolved and cooled flakes) to the barrel while stirring.
- Add Sulphonic Acid: Slowly add the 1kg of sulphonic acid with good, continuous stirring.
- Neutralise the pH: Use pH paper to check the pH. The goal is a neutral pH between 7 and 8. This is a critical step in learning how to make liquid dish soap that is safe for hands.
- Add Texapon and Betaine: Add them directly to the barrel. The heat from the reaction will help them dissolve quickly.
- Rest and Re-check pH: Let the mixture cool for several hours, then check the pH again and adjust to 7 if necessary.
- Add Colour and Preservative: Dissolve the colour in a little water before adding. Then, add the preservative.
- Add Fragrance: Add the oil-based fragrance and stir gently.
- Final Viscosity Adjustment with Salt: Dissolve the salt in water in a separate container, then gradually add the solution to the barrel while stirring until you reach the desired viscosity.
4. Expert Tips to Ensure Final Product Quality
- Sulphonic Acid Quality: This is the most important factor. Ensure you buy pure sulphonic acid from a reliable source, as it is the key to a successful process of how to make liquid dish soap.
- Quality of Other Raw Materials: Each ingredient complements the others.
- Type of Salt: Always use iodine-free salt, as iodized salt can reduce foam.
- Don’t Overdo the Salt: Adding too much salt can cause the product to separate.
For more information on handling chemicals safely, you can refer to safety guidelines from reputable sources like the UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE ).
5. Frequently Asked Questions About Making Liquid Dish Soap
Why did my liquid soap become cloudy or opaque?
Cloudiness often occurs due to inaccurate pH neutralization or adding too much salt. Precision in these steps is essential when you’re learning how to make liquid dish soap.
What is the best type of salt to increase viscosity?
The best type is rock salt or any table salt that is completely iodine-free. Iodized salt can negatively affect the product’s clarity and reduce foam.
Can this recipe be used for a commercial project?
Yes, this is a standard and tested commercial recipe. Mastering this method of how to make liquid dish soap can be the foundation of a successful business.