Liquid Soap Lesson Plan

BUKENYA SULAIMAN FOUNDATION – SKILLING CENTRE
LESSON PLAN: LIQUID SOAP MAKING

1. Basic Info

• Topic: How to make liquid soap for home use and for business
• Duration: 3 Hours (Theory 45 mins + Practical 1hr 30mins + Q&A 45 mins)
• Level: Beginners – No prior knowledge needed
• Class Size: 15-20 learners

2. Learning Objectives – By the end, learners should be able to:

• Mention 5 materials used to make liquid soap
• Explain safety rules
• Make 20 litres of liquid soap on their own
• Calculate cost and selling price
• Package and label correctly

3. Materials & Equipment Needed

Chemicals for 20 Litres:

• Water – 18 litres
• LABSA / Sulphonic Acid – 1 litre
• Caustic Soda – 100g (already dissolved in 0.5L water)
• Soda Ash – 100g
• Sodium Laurel Sulphate (SLS/SLES) – 200g
• Formalin (Preservative) – 20mls
• Salt – 300g for thickening
• Colour – small pinch
• Perfume / Fragrance – 20mls (Pine, Lemon)

Equipment:

• 2 Big basins / Buckets (25L), Stick for stirring, Gloves, Goggles/Mask, Measuring cup, Bottles for packing, Weighing scale

4. Lesson Procedure

STEP 1: Introduction – 15 Minutes
Greet learners. Ask: “Why do we need liquid soap?” Let them answer. Explain two reasons: Home hygiene and Income. Show them a finished bottle of good liquid soap and a bad one. Ask them to see the difference.

STEP 2: Safety First – 10 Minutes – VERY IMPORTANT

• Never touch chemicals with bare hands – wear gloves
• Caustic soda burns – keep away from children, don’t smell it directly
• Always add caustic soda to water, not water to caustic
• Work in open air, not in a closed room
• Wash hands after.

STEP 3: Theory – The Ingredients – 20 Minutes
Explain each ingredient simply:

• LABSA – This is the main cleaning agent, brings foam.
• Caustic Soda + Soda Ash – Helps to remove dirt and grease.
• SLS – Extra foam.
• Salt – Makes it thick, not watery.
• Formalin – So it doesn’t spoil.
• Colour & Perfume – Makes it beautiful and nice smelling.

STEP 4: Practical Demonstration – 90 Minutes

Teacher does, learners watch, then learners do.

a) Put 10 litres of clean water in bucket 1.
b) Dissolve Salt in 1 litre water separately.
c) Dissolve Soda Ash in 1 litre water separately.
d) Dissolve SLS in 1 litre water separately. Leave it to rest.
e) Mix LABSA into the 10 litres water and stir well for 5 minutes – one direction.
f) Add the dissolved Soda Ash + Stir. Add Caustic Soda solution + Stir. Cover and leave for 10 mins – this is to make them mix well.
g) Add dissolved SLS + Stir.
h) Add Salt solution little by little as you stir. You will see it becoming thick.
i) Add Formalin, Colour (mixed with small water), and Perfume. Stir gently.
j) Add remaining water to make it 20 litres. Stir and cover. Leave for 2 hours or overnight. It is ready.

STEP 5: Costing & Business – 20 Minutes
Teach them simple business math. Example:
If all chemicals for 20L cost UGX 30,000.
You pack in 500ml bottles = 40 bottles.
Sell each at UGX 1,500 = UGX 60,000.
Profit = UGX 30,000. So they see the money.

STEP 6: Packaging & Q&A – 25 Minutes
Show how to pour without foam, how to label: Name, “BSF Liquid Soap”, Contacts, Expiry Date, How to use. Allow learners to ask questions and try themselves.

5. Assessment

• Ask 3 learners to repeat the steps without looking.
• Ask: What do you do if caustic soda touches skin? (Wash with plenty water).
• Each group to make their own 5 litres.

6. Homework / Takeaway
Every learner goes home with a small bottle of soap they made, and the recipe written in simple English/Luganda.

Trainer Notes: Keep water clean. Borehole water is okay but filter it. Don’t rush thickening – add salt slowly. If it becomes watery, you added too much water. If it becomes too thick like jelly, you added too much salt – add small water.