Do-It-Yourself/Soap

Make soap from lard.

Equipment

 * Lard or some sort of fat or vegetable oil (as sunflower, olive oil).
 * Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH)
 * Glass beaker and stirring rod.
 * Bunsen burner or other means of heating solution.
 * Mold for making soap bars (any flexible plastic container).

Safety
Gloves, labcoat and appropriate eyeware should be worn when handling the 6M NaOH. It should be used in a well-ventilated area, preferably in a fume hood. DO NOT BREATHE THE FUMES. Wash with vinegar should you get some on your skin (have some vinegar handy before starting the experiment) -DO NOT wash with water!. Mixing lye with water results in a chemical reaction that creates extreme heat - hence, washing lye off your hands (for example) with water will only initiate that reaction on your hand, resulting in chemical burn.

How to do

 * 1) Place 16 oz. (450 g) of lard (or any other fat, such as vegoil or butter) in a beaker.
 * 2) In another container add 2.1 oz. (60 g) of NaOH to 6 oz. (170g) of water (do not add water to NaOH it will splatter) stir to dissolve and let cool to 40ºC (110 F).
 * 3) Melt fat under low heat to  and add NaOH solution with stirring until the base has completely reacted with the lard (about 20 to 30 minutes)
 * 4) Pour the mixture of base and lard into molds.
 * 5) Let this cool and sit for a day or two. Let the soap cakes cure for three weeks before using.