Glycerine, alternately known as glycerol and glycerin, is a byproduct of the biodiesel production and the industrial soap making process. Transesterification, the process used in biodiesel production is the main source of glycerin in the market today. It is filtered and purified to remove impurities such as food particles. Pure glycerine plays an important role in many industries and thousands of applications.
The raw glycerine as a byproduct of biodiesel production has excellent degreasing properties making it ideal for homemade soaps. However, this mixture needs to be purified and methanol has to be separated. Separating methanol from glycerol is a rather simple process. You just have to boil it off, or better yet, you can set up a simple condenser to recover the methanol for other uses. There is a catch though. Lye, which is caustic, can irritate and burn the skin therefore you have to be careful when handling raw glycerine.
By using another process known as saponification, your soaps are of better quality since they are high in glycerin and serves as a natural moisturizer. In commercial soap production, there is very little or almost no glycerine content because manufacturers use glycerin in lotions, creams and other moisturizing products since this is more profitable. Homemade soaps are a great option since they are able to preserve their glycerin content.
The essential ingredients for soap making are water, lye and, of course, glycerine. Take note that the volume of water and lye you use in the process will determine the lathering effect of your finished product. The larger the volume of water you use, the better lather the soap will produce. If you are to add more lye, the soap has a stronger degreasing ability.
Here are some delightful homemade glycerine soap:
1. Jewelweed Soap
Ingredients:
2 cups glycerin soap
1/2 cup jewelweed maceration (collect blooming jewelweed and boil in 1/2 cup water)
7 drops sweet orange oil
2 drops of orange coloring
Instructions:
Slowly melt glycerine in double boiler or in a microwave. Add the jewelweed maceration and stir in gradually until slightly cooled. Add your preferred fragrance and color then pour into molds and cool.
2. Lavender Beeswax Soap
Ingredients:
4 ounces (114 grams) glycerin soap base
10 drops lavender essential oil
1 drop violet coloring
1 teaspoon beeswax
Instructions:
Melt glycerine over low heat in a double boiler or in a microwave. Add beeswax then remove from heat. Stir until wax is melted. Add your choice of essential oil and color. Stir and pour into molds.
3. Lavender and Rosemary Soap
Ingredients:
3 cups glycerin soap base
1/4 cup infusion of lavender flowers and rosemary leaves
1 1/2 teaspoons of lavender oil
1 1/2 teaspoons of rosemary oil
1 teaspoon pulverized dried rosemary
Instructions:
Slowly melt soap base and add other ingredients. Stir until blended. Pour into molds.
4. Calamine Soap
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon calamine powder (or two tablespoons calamine lotion)
1 tablespoon bentonite or cosmetic-grade clay
2 tablespoons liquid glycerin
1 cup glycerin soap base
Instructions:
Mix calamine, clay, and liquid glycerin until smooth, then add a small amount of water, if needed. Whisk the mixture into the soap base, pour into desired molds, and cool.
Mix all the ingredients thoroughly, and pour into molds.
If you are someone who likes to make your own homemade soap, you can certainly personalize your soaps to the smell, color and texture you like. However, you can also turn this into a small business which is an easy way to earn money. Glycerine or glycerol is indeed a very useful waste byproduct.
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