It is important to familiarized ourselves with the common chemical ingredients used and their uses. These ingredients give the desired quality and feature of the soap. Also, the quantity of these ingredients in making soap, dictates the cost of soap produced.

  1. Coco Diethanol Amide (CDEA) - foam or sud booster
  2. Sodium silicate - hardening and leavening agent; prevents separation or deterioration of ingredients in liquid products
  3. Sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES) - cleansing agent; for thickening effect and a cheaper but effective foamer
  4. Sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP) and ZEOLITE - a chemical that gives cleansing power
  5. Ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid (EDTA) - sequestering agent that makes the ingredients float; used as foaming stabilizer; also used to reduce hardness in water
  6. Caustic potash (also known as potassium hydroxide) - allows bar soap to harden
  7. Tergitol - binder used for powdered detergent
  8. Sodium phosphate - provides the abrasive strength; removes hard water minerals and this increase the effectiveness of detergents; prevents dirt from settling back into clothes during washing
  9. Sodium chloride or table salt - thickening agent; provides viscosity to the soap
  10. Methyl and propyl paraben - anti-microbial preservatives
  11. Triethanol amine (TEA) - emulsifier uesd in facial cleanser
  12. Caustic soda (also called sodium hydroxide) - neutralizes or adjust the acidity of other ingredients
  13. Benzalkonium chloride - disinfectant against bacteria, fungi and yeasts
  14. Carboxyl methy cellulose (CMC) - antiredeposition agent that prevents dirt from settling back into clothes during washing
  15. Sodium sulfate - provides proper flow or solubility to soap; cleans without leaving residue
  16. Glycerine - serves as moisturizer in facial cleaner
  17. Both Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and its close relative Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) are commonly used in many soaps, shampoos, detergents, toothpastes and other products that we expect to "foam up". Both chemicals are very effective foaming agents, chemically known as surfactants.