Alkaline soaps have become more and more popular lately. You can often hear that they prefer to use it instead of existing store counterparts. In this article, we will analyze in detail its features, properties, composition and applications in order to come to the final conclusion: is it really as good as they say about it or not.
What is this?
The definition of alkaline soap is as simple as possible. This is a special soap that is made from lye. If we are dealing with solid samples, then from sodium hydroxide, and if with pasty, then from potassium hydroxide. Also, fats of animal or vegetable origin are necessarily added to its composition.
During the corresponding saponification reaction, fats are broken down, and glycerol and fatty acid s alts we need are formed from them. This mixture is the very natural alkaline soap that many appreciate and praise so much today. As a result, it turns out that it is made from natural oils and alkali. Suchcomposition of alkaline soap.
When it was popular to make hearty soap in the old days, fats were necessarily mixed with an excess of alkali. Then the mixture was heated, the soap was s alted out with a solution of common s alt. As a result, it floated to the surface in the form of a dense lump, which was called the core.
Modern techniques
In our time, manufacturers of household chemicals already know exactly all the coefficients of saponification of fats. S alting out is no longer required, because the amount of alkali required can be accurately calculated using a special calculator. Therefore, in our time, alkaline soap is brewed in a completely different way.
Take heated oil, the amount of which is measured exactly according to the recipe. It is mixed in the required proportions with an alkali solution of the desired temperature. The resulting mixture should be stirred to a characteristic gelatinous consistency, and then sent to the oven at a temperature of 80 to 85 degrees for two to two and a half hours.
When the soap is almost ready, it remains to add active ingredients, caring and essential oils. After that, it is laid out in forms, and after complete solidification, it is carefully cut. It is now given time to dry out, usually one to two weeks. Note that in this case, the so-called hot method is described, the production of "cold" soap is much longer.
Recipe
Here is another easy alkaline soap recipe. It will take us five hours to prepare it, and suchingredients:
- 1 kilo of coconut oil, available from speci alty soap shops or online;
- 201 grams of sodium hydroxide (it is not recommended to replace it with anything, you will find it in the same specialized outlets);
- 15 grams of citric acid;
- 380 grams of purified water, ideally it should be ice and water in ratios of two to one;
- two liter silicone mold;
- ceramic, glass or enamel bowl for mixing soap for two and a half liters;
- silicone spatula or spoon;
- blender;
- kitchen scales with weighing accuracy up to 1 gram;
- porcelain mug to dilute lye;
- disposable cups for weighing citric acid and alkali;
- disposable spoon to pour lye;
- porcelain spoon to dilute the lye;
- plastic strainer for straining alkaline solution (metal is strongly discouraged);
- glass spoon or stick for diluting citric acid;
- thermometer with scale up to 100 degrees Celsius;
- enough paper and cloth towels to protect surfaces, rubber long gloves on hands;
- water bath, e.g. deep saucepan;
- thermoregulated oven.
Now you will understand exactly what kind of soap it is - alkaline. Before you start cooking, cover the work surface with oilcloth, pay special attention to the place where you willdilute alkali. It is best to do this next to the sink, so that everything is measured and diluted above it. It is recommended that you take precautions yourself: protect your hands with thick rubber gloves, ideally have a respirator and goggles. Or at least common sense, not to lean over a container of lye, not inhale its fumes, not sniff too hard, not spill dangerous powder.
Cooking method
In a bowl for kneading soap, place 1 kg of coconut oil, put it in a water bath to melt it. Make sure the water doesn't boil and the oil doesn't overheat. It is optimal that alkaline coconut soap be made at a temperature of 45-50 degrees.
During this time, measure the citric acid, which should be dissolved in 80 g of water. Measure 300 g of ice and water into a porcelain mug. Ice will be required to lower the temperature of the alkaline solution at the right time. Remember that the dissolution of alkali occurs with a large release of heat, so this condition must be observed.
Pour the lye in small portions into a mug of ice and water, stirring constantly. Ensure that the alkali crystals are completely dissolved. Now remove the heated oil from the water bath, equalizing the temperature of the lye and oil. After that, strain the alkaline solution into the oil through a strainer. Stir the resulting mixture with a blender. The appearance of characteristic stains on the surface of the mixture indicates that the components are well mixed, the saponification reaction has begun.
Shifting the soap intoforms, and tighten the film on top so that premature evaporation of water does not begin. Place molds with soap for three hours in the oven, preheated to 80 degrees. In the first half hour, the soap will rise, as it happens with the dough, and then calm down. Outwardly, it will resemble a translucent jelly. When the soap acquires a waxy haze and loses transparency, it will mean that it is ready. Take it out of the oven to cool and harden. After two or three hours, remove from the mold, cutting into pieces.
Let the soap "rest" for a couple of weeks, after which it can be used. This is what this soap is - alkaline.
Views
The action of soap is based on the ability of alkali to emulsify the fats of the stratum corneum, form foam, remove dust, dirt, and microorganisms contained on them.
There are several types of product that are now actively used in the household. Many are interested in which soap is better to use - neutral or alkaline. If the action of alkaline is based on the corresponding reaction of the same name, then soaps with a neutral reaction, although they contain very little alkali, but when exposed to the skin, free alkali has practically no effect. Neutral includes all toilet soaps on the market.
Some, having figured out what kind of soap it is - alkaline or neutral, prefer the latter. It is important that it does not affect the natural pH level of the skin, treats the natural layer as carefully as possible, acting as a natural protection.from infections and other troubles.
It must be remembered that people have different skin types. If some suffer from dryness, then others have a higher concentration of fat. Neutral soap is recommended to everyone without exception, as the effect of it is minimized.
For some, it is important whether laundry soap is alkaline or not. This is partly true because it contains sodium hydroxide, which is an alkaline chemical element. Many recommend using it carefully, since the alkali contained in laundry soap can, for example, completely destroy hair if you start washing your hair regularly. It is important not to use too much lye, as no dye or detergent will really work unless lye is added to it.
Advantages and disadvantages
It must be admitted that although strongly alkaline soap is natural, it has a number of obvious disadvantages. The raw materials for its production are too expensive. These are vegetable oils, natural fats, alkali itself. In addition, the production process is much more complicated, which further increases the overhead.
However, it is much more economical, besides, when using it, the need for a large number of additional products disappears. For example, balms, masks, styling products, compositions for the restoration and treatment of hair and skin. Therefore, it is simply unprofitable for manufacturers to put the production of such goods on stream.
Ultimately it turns out thatthe main harm from alkaline soap is caused to large corporations, since the income of industrialists in this case can be significantly reduced.
A natural product has many obvious advantages - it does not contain carcinogens, poisons and allergens, unlike synthetic products. In addition, it is completely washed off from the hair and skin, perfectly contributes to the regeneration of the epidermis and its cleansing. It is also possible to regulate the secretion of the sebaceous glands, the population of the skin mite, fight fungi and parasites.
Uses
If your product has an effective soap-alkaline environment, it can be used in a variety of situations. Coconut soap, which you can make at home, foams well even in hard water, washes and washes well, without leaving an unpleasant smell. There are quite a few uses for alkaline soap.
For example, it is used for washing dishes. While porcelain or glassware can still be washed using industrial detergents, silicone, plastic, non-stick and wood surfaces retain too many synthetic detergents. No matter how much they are rinsed after that, it will still not be possible to remove them. Even in the case of porcelain and glassware, you can be sure that it will be possible to wash off industrial products only after rinsing six times.
For effective dishwashing, it is recommended to make a special alkaline paste based on this coconut soap. To do this, gratesoap and then mix with soda ash. This is an excellent water softener that you can easily buy in any supermarket, in the dishwashing section. By the way, this is one of the few products that are allowed to be taken for washing pharmacy dishes. It is worth doing this in a ratio of one to two, heating in a water bath with a minimum amount of water, and then it is necessary to allow the composition to cool. The result is a soft paste that is comfortable and easy to spread on a dishwashing sponge. The same paste will be useful for washing toys and all children's dishes.
Alkaline laundry soap is very effective. They should especially wash clothes that are constantly in contact with the skin, including kitchen towels, bed linen. For small washes, you can use a bar of soap, while you don’t even need to use gloves, and for a classic wash, grate a bar of soap, mixing it with soda ash, but in a ratio of one to one.
The result is a washing powder that can be used for hand washing or washing in a washing machine. When you use a hand wash, the powder can be poured directly into the basin, and for a machine wash, it must first be thoroughly dissolved in hot water. To do this, it is better to use a spoon and a measuring plastic cup with a spout. After that, the resulting solution is poured into the cuvette of the washing machine, proceeding further in the usual way.
It is only necessary to warn that alkaline soap is not suitable for washing when trying to get rid of fruit and berry stains. So atwashing such linen is advised to add oxygen bleach. If the pollution is too strong, then a preliminary soaking of the laundry in a solution of soda ash will give a positive result. This soap is completely harmless, so it is great for washing children's clothes.
After washing with natural soap, the linen smells good, becomes soft and silky, and irons much better. The main thing is that the natural and simple composition leaves no chance for the development of allergic reactions, when synthetic detergents are extremely allergic, they can cause serious harm to children, especially newborns. Moreover, the compositions of such synthetic agents can be so dangerous that it will not be possible to determine exactly how the allergic reaction was caused. Indeed, even the composition of the most common industrial washing powder contains up to four or five types of surfactants. As a rule, they are anionic, that is, the most rigid.
Water softeners, acidity regulators, bleaches and complexing agents, bleach activators and enzymes, fragrances and defoamers, hydrotropic agents make these products too dangerous. Most of these components are almost impossible to wash off with water, they remain on the surface of the laundry. As a result, we are constantly in contact with them through the mucous membranes, skin and respiratory tract. Natural soap helps to avoid all this. Its quality cannot be compared to industrial soap at all.
Liquid option
There are various types of liquid alkaline soap that are useful in the household. It is made on a natural basis, being almost a liquid analogue of traditional laundry soap. It is intended for cleaning all kinds of hard surfaces, mechanized and manual cleaning of interiors, such as washing floors and walls, sanitary equipment in everyday life and shopping centers. As well as in medical and preventive and medical institutions.
Liquid alkaline soap is used for washing clothes and washing dishes, as it has a bactericidal effect. That is why it is so successful. Liquid soap is a water-soluble concentrated mixture with an admixture of inorganic additives.
This liquid soap is considered universal for degreasing and cleaning hard surfaces from any materials. First of all, natural and artificial stone, linoleum, aluminum, stainless steel, bronze, copper, glass, brass, faience, ceramics and many other delicate coatings are well cleaned. It is also used to clean painted surfaces, and a special formula allows you to emulsify fats and oils, effectively dissolve them if necessary. This soap is used in water of any hardness, it is biodegradable and non-toxic. It is important that this product is insensitive to low temperatures, it does not freeze.
Precautions must be taken. If this product gets into your eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of water. If soap gets inside, immediatelyseek urgent medical attention.
Brands
There are quite a few names of alkaline soap on the market. So it is not necessary to prepare such a remedy at home, you can buy it in specialized stores if you really care about the he alth and cleanliness of your things.
The well-known name of alkaline soap is "My Baby". It is suitable for caring parents who pay special attention to the safety of the products they purchase for their children. This brand has been on the market since 1998.
Among its distinctive advantages is that it is considered ideal for newborn care, does not contain dyes, therefore it is hypoallergenic, based on a special prescription soap base.
Soap brand "Purity Recipes" has been on the market for about half a century. This is a versatile option for practical families who really appreciate traditional quality. You will come across traditionally high quality, affordable price, family packaging and flavors familiar from childhood.
The same cosmetic soap under the VANDA brand is produced in Indonesia. It will definitely remind you of exotic resorts. After enjoying this smell, you will again be able to immerse yourself in serenity and bliss.
This soap has many distinctive benefits. This is a world-class clear glycerin soap at an affordable price. It contains natural cosmetic ingredients that help care for the skin of both adults and children.
Intimate hygiene
Perfect fitalkaline soap for intimate hygiene. Not many people know that it can be used for these purposes. It is a natural cleanser, the use of which brings only benefits.
Considering all the advantages and disadvantages, we can conclude that it can still be used for intimate hygiene. The main thing is not to do this on an ongoing basis. If you use it occasionally, you can successfully and effectively fight bacteria. If you use it constantly, you can disrupt the natural microflora of the mucous membrane, deprive the genitals of natural protection, dry out the skin. As a result, the opposite effect may occur: the skin and mucous membranes will not be able to protect a person from harmful factors. For preventive purposes, it will be enough to wash with laundry soap no more than once or twice a week.
At all other times, it is recommended to use neutral liquid products that are specifically designed for intimate hygiene. But it is better to use them not every day, but alternate with ordinary running water. Another useful and effective alternative can be tar soap used for intimate hygiene. It is even more rational to use it, as it has not only antibacterial, but also healing properties.
During thrush, doctors recommend using soap once or twice a day. This will relieve the symptoms of candidiasis, slow down the reproduction of fungi, but will never replace treatment. When this disease occurs, it is imperative to seek help from a doctor. He will prescribe the necessary drugs forelimination of the disease.
Use alkaline soap during pregnancy. Theoretically, you can use it, but you should always consult with your gynecologist beforehand, since there may be exceptions in each case. In some cases, there may be an unwanted reaction to such soap, especially to its smell, and during pregnancy the sensitivity increases significantly.
