Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Making Soap Green, Asia Sweet

Thinking Matters Symposium Archive

The One Gallon Soap Company (OGSC) recycles partially used bar soap from local Portland hotels and repurposes it as liquid hand soap. The preliminary formulations originally prepared by the OGSC produced a smooth, homogeneous liquid soap with good foaming action. However, over short and often variable time periods, the soap would separate into two layers: a watery bottom layer with little foaming action and an oily top layer. The OGSC asked the USM Chemistry Department to investigate the formulation process in an effort to provide a more stable product – one that would maintain a constant consistency over several months.