SOAP MAKING BUSINESS PLAN
Have you always thought about launching that dream soap-making business, but clueless as to how to go about it?
Relax! This article will give you insight into what you need to get in place to fully launch your soap-making business.
First things first, you want to make sure you are very sure this business is perfect for you. You do not want to jump right in without getting acquainted with what will be required to make this business successful.
Here is a sample business plan for starting a soap manufacturing business.
This is why this article has highlighted below several things you must consider before starting up right away.
Step 1: Learn About Soap Making
Before starting up your own soap-making business, you must learn how to make soap. If you really want to succeed in this business, you must learn the skills needed for making soap. Learn the process of making soap, including every detail about the business. Preferably, learn from a reputable soap-making business, watch online tutorials, read books, attend seminars, and get yourself prepared to fully launching your own business.
Step 2: Create your Unique Formula
To make a basic soap, you do not require much. You only need a few ingredients for the recipe. However, you could make many different soaps just by tweaking the formula. For you to create your own unique soap, you may have to make experiments with many different soap ingredients such as color, scents, moisturizers, etc just to get that desired unique formula.
But first, you will have to determine your niche in this line of business. There are several niches out there in the soap-making business. A good way to find out your niche is to conduct a market survey to determine what your target market is interested in.
Step 3: Get the Equipment and Ingredients
You will need to get the necessary equipment and ingredients for making your soap formula. There are several basic tools and ingredients you must possess to run your business. They include:
- Microwave
- Blender
- Molds
- Mixing kettle
- Wrappers
- Metallic stamp for labeling
- Cutting machine
- Trimming machine
- Colors
- Lye
- Fragrance
- Measuring cups
- Safety gloves
- Plastic or stainless spoon, etc.
Step 4: Develop your Brand
Part of developing your brand has been discussed above, which includes carrying out a thorough market survey to know what your target market really wants. Put yourself in the shoes of your prospective customers who are part of your target market, and develop your brand to suit their needs.
For example, if your market is targeted at people whose concern is on healthy living and natural products, your soaps will have to be created with all-natural ingredients free of anything artificial.
Also, you will have to create a very unique and catchy soap brand name. Make sure to be creative with this aspect as regards the brand name, the logo design, the packaging, and every other detail that will help make your brand unique and desirable.
Step 5: Locate Buyers
Once you have fully developed your soap making the business into your desired brand, the next thing to worry about is how to sell your product, and who to sell it to. There are several channels through which you could sell your soap such as wholesalers (if you will be producing very large quantities) and retailers.
You could start by selling your product to friends and relatives at good prices. Your goal at this initial stage should not be centered on profit-making, rather on the quality of your soap. This is the time to offer your product to your friends and relatives for free sample tests to get genuine feedback.
Step 6: Set up your Business
Now is the time to set up your business. Setting up your business involves getting a good space large enough for your soap-making operation. You may start by leasing a space before you have enough cash to get your own space.
You will require enough capital to fully startup your soap-making business. The startup capital for starting up differs from one location to the other, and it also depends on other factors such as the scale, cost of equipment, leasing, etc.
To get close to an accurate figure regarding how much you will need to fully start up your business, you will have to carry out a feasibility study on the soap-making business.
Also, you must make sure of fulfilling all the legal requirements for starting up your soap-making business in your desired location.
Step 7: Pricing
Pricing is essential to your soap-making business.
As soon as you make your products available in the market, you want to do well to make sure you are selling at the right prices. You do not want to start by underselling your brand or selling at prices far higher than what is reasonable.
Make sure to have a realistic and reasonable price for your products. A good way to determine product price is by taking note of the cost of making one product and then setting the profit margin reasonably.
Step 8: Promote your Business
Promote, promote, promote!!! You may have a great product, but your target market may not get to know how great it is if you fail to promote your brand. Take your products to your customers. Create a website; create social media accounts for your brand just to reach your target market.
Soap Making Business: How To Make Soap and Sell
HOW TO MAKE LIQUID SOAP LIKE MORNING FRESH
Do you know how to make liquid detergent for home and commercial use? Liquid soap as the name implies is soap in liquid form. It is a cleansing agent and it is a multi-purpose cleanser. Liquid soap is also known as a liquid detergent.
It has the ability to emulsify oils and hold dirt in suspension.
What is the chemical formula for liquid soap?
1. PRODUCTION OF LAUNDRY SOAP.
As the name implies, laundry soap is the type of soap that is mostly used for cleaning our laundry. It should have a good foaming ability to clean the clothes properly. It is important to note that there are so many soaps on the market, but with the formulation given below and with good packaging, you can be sure to beat the competition.
Here is the equipment needed for the production, Do you know the function of sodium sulfate in soap making?
- Mixer with stirrer
- Casting Molds
- Heater
- Cutter (knife)
- Shaping machine
- Stamping machine
- Hydrometer
- Weighing scale
- Measuring container
- Packaging materials
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Note that this equipment is only required when you want to go into large-scale production. For beginners, you can start producing with basic household tools and a few other cheap stuff. You will find these in the video tutorial.
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SOAP FORMULATION
Chemicals and their Quantity
Caustic Soda 1KG
Palm kernel oil 6 LITRES
Soda ash 0.5KG
Silicate 160 LITRES
Sodium sulfate 160 LITRES
Colorant TO TASTE
Water 4.5 LITRES
Fragrance TO TASTE
Forming agent TO TASTE
SOAP MAKING PROCEDURE
- Prepare the caustic soda solution by dissolving 1kg of caustic soda in 4.5 liters of water; confirm that it was a density of 1275kg/m3. Allow the solution to stand and blend for at least 3 days. Please ensure that you leave them to stand at this time or even more (the longer the better), to avoid your soap being corrosive to the users’ skin and clothes.
- Add the soda ash to the caustic soda solution, stirring vigorously until well blended.
- Add the colorant to the solution and continue stirring
- Add all the palm kernel oil to the mixture and continue stirring vigorously in a clockwise direction only for some time
- Add the foaming agent and silicate and continue stirring
- Add the fragrance and pour into molds and allow solidification for 24 hours
- Stamp, shape, and package and you are ready for the market.
2. PRODUCTION OF TOILET SOAP
Toilet soaps are soaps that are mainly used for bathing and as such must be foamy and have a very nice fragrance with attractive coloring. It must also feel good on the skin. Here are the basic toilet soap making ingredients:
EQUIPMENT REQUIRED
Same as in the production of laundry soap
FORMULATION TABLE
Chemicals required and their quantity
Palm kernel oil 3 LITRES
Caustic soda 1 KG
Coconut oil 2 LITRES
Bleached palm oil 1 LITRE
Silicate 1 LITRE
Colorant TO TASTE
Perfume TO TASTE
Titanium dioxide
Glycerine
PROCEDURE
Prepare the caustic soda solution as done in the laundry soap
Pour all the oil into the mixer and start heating
When it is warm, add colorant and mix properly till uniformly blend
Add the caustic soda solution and continue boiling and stirring
When all have blended, add sodium silicate and turn off the heater
When the temperature drops, add the fragrance
Stir slowly and pour into molds
Allow hardening for 6-8 hours
Shape, stamp, and package for the market
With these two tutorials, you can be in serious business. For the production of laundry soap, you need approximately ₦3000 to start up on a small scale and you are sure to make good returns in less than a week, depending on your market.
3. PRODUCTION OF MEDICATED SOAP
Medicated soap are soaps used for bathing, but also contain additives that help kill germs and other microorganisms. They can also have other functions like skin toning and age-defying agents.
EQUIPMENT
Same as in the production of laundry soap
FORMULATION TABLE
Chemicals required and their quantities
Palm kernel oil 3LITRES
Caustic soda solution 3 LITRES
Coconut oil 2 LITRES
Bleached palm oil 1 LITRE
Sodium silicate 1LITRE
Colorant TO TASTE
Perfume TO TASTE
Glycerine ¼ LITRES
Tricolans (TCC) 1 TABLESPOON
Borax
Magnesium sulfate
PROCEDURE
- Prepare the caustic soda solution as described in laundry soap production above. Ensure that the density of the solution is as stated.
- Dissolve magnesium sulfate and borax separately with a small amount of water to form a paste
- Pour the soda ash into caustic soda solution and continue stirring
- Add the colorant to the caustic soda solution and stir very well
- Pour the oils into the caustic solution mixture and continue stirring vigorously in a clockwise direction only.
- Add the silicate and continue stirring
- Then add glycerine, pink oil, tricolons, magnesium sulfate, borax, and fragrance
- Continue stirring until all the chemicals have mixed very well
- Pour into soap molds and allow solidifying.
- Shape, stamp, and package ready for the market
4. PRODUCTION OF POWDERY DETERGENT
Powdery soap is mostly used in the washing of cloth, mopping floors, and many other applications that the user might deem fit. You are advised to ensure that you keep strictly to the formulation.
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EQUIPMENT
Same as in the production of laundry soap plus drier and pulverizer (mesh net)
FORMULATION TABLE
Chemicals and the required quantity
Palm kernel oil or fatty acid 4 LITRES
Caustic soda 1 KG
Soda ash 2 KG
Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) ½ LITRES
Ammonium 30 MILI LITRES (MLS)
Industrial salt (Na2CO3) 150 MLS
Colorant TO TASTE
Perfume TO TASTE
Foaming agent 250 MLS
Sulphuric acid 30 MLS
PROCEDURE
Prepare the caustic soda solution as described in the production of laundry soap and ensure that the density is at the stated value.
Allow standing for three days (72 hrs) minimum. You can allow it to stand for more than three days if you want but should not use it when it is not up to 3 days.
The reason why some powdery detergent is corrosive is that the caustic soda did not blend long enough in water before starting the production process.
Add the soda ash to the caustic soda solution and stir very well until uniformly blended
Pour the palm kernel oil into the mixture and add the colorant while stirring vigorously (only in a clockwise direction) till it blends well.
Add the hydrogen peroxide, ammonium, industrial salt, fuming agent, and perfume into the mixture above.
Pour into a dryer for drying or spread under the sun to dry
After drying pulverize or grate and then sieve.
Package into sachets for the market
5. PRODUCTION OF LIQUID DETERGENT
These are very powerful cleaning agents. They are more powerful than ordinary soap. It can be used for a variety of things ranging from laundry to dishwashing. You can start the production with a very small amount of money.
EQUIPMENT REQUIRED
Mixer, weighing scale, graduated cylinder, stirrer
FORMULATION TABLE
Chemical required and their quantity
CDEA 500 GRAMS
STPP 300 GRAMS (Do you know the function of stpp in soap making?)
Table salt (Nacl2) 75 GRAMS
SLES 1 KG
Fragrance TO TASTE
Colorant TO TASTE
Water 8.5 LITRES
PROCEDURE
Measure out the required quantity of all the chemicals
Put the SLES into the mixer and add little water to it
Stir to smoothness
To the solution above add 500 grams of CDEA and continue stirring to smooth. Add water occasionally as the need arises.
Put the STPP in separate water and stir well
Add the STPP solution into the mixer and continue stirring
Dissolve the salt in a little amount of water and add to the mixer while continuing stirring
Add the perfume and continue stirring
Package the detergent in the right containers and start smiling at the bank.
These materials and chemicals can be easily gotten in every state. To get it easily, just go to a secondary school and ask any of the science teachers or the principal where they buy their laboratory equipment and chemicals (acid, base, and salt) from. It is most likely those people will sell these chemicals or know those who sell around.
I know some folks might be saying “well, I don’t have money to start up these businesses”.
Actually, you may be right and at the same time wrong. You need money to start up a business sure! But you can start up a business using other people’s money as well (OPM). A friend has organized a seminar in a polytechnic that fetched him close to 400k without spending a dime.
If I mention the name of the school, some people might know. All he did was present seminar materials and what he had to offer to the school SUG body.
They took over from there seeing he had something to offer and did the publicity on his behalf, got a hall for him, provided the sound system, and other logistics.
He simply went with my crew and did the talking and demonstration. At the end of the day, students paid for the seminar materials, the SUG got their commission, and he went smiling to the bank.
You too can start from there.
Izal Production Guide: Free Ebook Manual Guide
Production of Izal Germicide: How To Produce Izal Antiseptic
Let’s take a quick look at what a germicide is together. A germicide is any type of product that is designed to kill germs and bacteria on different types of surfaces. Many household cleaning products are formulated to function as a germicide. Over the years, many uses of germicide products have come into common use.
HOW TO MAKE IZAL
Some involve the utilization of basic germicidal and antibacterial products as a way of minimizing the chances of spreading colds or other forms of illness.
Wherever there are people, there are bacteria. Since bacteria are invisible to the Unclad eye, their presence is usually unsuspected. Germicide, therefore, helps to rid the area of bacteria and germs that have the potential to cause harm to humans and other living things.
Germicide can be used to clean surfaces such as:
-Toilet
-Sinks
-Floors
-Drains
-Door Knobs
-Counters and
-Garbage cans, etc.
Summarily, germicides as disinfectants aid in maintaining a clean environment to help prevent the spread of harmful bacteria that may cause infections.
PLACES GERMICIDES CAN BE USED
Izal Booster Germicide as a disinfectant can be used in the:
¤Hospitals
¤Homes
¤Eateries, etc
PRODUCTION OF IZAL DISINFECTANT
The composition of the izal formulation
(Ingredients Used in Making of Izal at Home – 10 Litres)
Texapon…..2 tin milk cups
Pine oil……4 tin milk cups
Phenol……4 tin milk cups
Lysol……..4 tin milk cups
Izal booster.. .4 tin milk cups
Carbolic Acid…4 tin milk cups
Izal concentrate…..4 tin milk cup
Whitener………2 tin milk cup
Water…………5 liters
These are the basic chemical materials for izal production but what is izal concentrate?
I promised to explain our izal production process in units. Looking at the formula above, you notice that the texapon used is 2 cups, Whitner 2 cups, and our water is 5 liters while other ones are 4 cups each. Now, explaining this in units, I would say:
Texapon————2 units
Pine oil————-4 units
Phenol————-4 units
Lysol—————4 units
Carbolic acid——4 units
Izal concentrate—4 units
Izal booster——–4 units
Whitener———–2 units
Water—————5 units
From the above, let’s use texapon as our determinant factor. As in, the quantity of texapon to determine the quantity of other active ingredients of izal production and the total volume of the final product.
Here, you can use anything as your measurement (measuring tool). For instance, if you choose to use a spoon as your measurement, it means texapon is 2 spoons, whitener 2 spoons, then the rest 4 spoons.
If you now choose to use a bucket, it means two of those buckets of texapon, 2 buckets of whitener, and 4 buckets of the rest.
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PREPARATION OF IZAL GERMICIDE
-Pour the Texapon into a bowl
-Add the pine oil and stir very well
-Add the phenol and stir
-Add the Lysol and stir
-Add the booster and stir
-Add 3 liters of water and stir
-Use some quantity of water to dilute the carbolic acid before you add it to the mixture
-Add the izal concentrate and stir
-Also, use some water to dilute the whitener before you add it to the mixture and stir it together
-Pour the remaining water and stir properly
Finally, package the product for use or sale.
You can get all the materials(chemical) for making izal in Nigeria at the Ojota chemical market. With just 5k you can start something, at least, on a small scale. For the plastic to use, the packaging is very important, you may just get any attractive plastic and have your own well-designed stickers on it. If you are buoyant enough, you may approach any plastic company for a customized one.
The function of all the chemicals used in the production of germicide.
On a good day, almost all the materials for izal production are disinfectants, except for a few like an izal booster, izal soap, and izal whitener. The izal booster is just to increase the quantity of your product while the whitener is to give it that white color look. So, the combination of all of the chemicals (antiseptics or disinfectant) is what gives you a powerful germicide.
Quickly, I will like to define An antiseptic as any chemical combination or solution that helps or has the ability to prevent infection by preventing the growth of micro-organisms. I have explained earlier in our germicide lesson that some bacteria are harmful while some are helpful.
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These bacteria are everywhere, I mean. Wherever you find human beings, you find them. They are said to be ‘micro’ because they are so small that they can’t be seen with the unclad (Unclad) eyes. So, our effort here is to get rid of the harmful ones.
Hence, our focus in this Dettol production process will be on how to mix or combine our chemicals in the right proportion to help us learn how to make Dettol liquid handwash.
The composition of Dettol (Antiseptic Ingredients)
Chemical Materials Needed in the Preparation of Dettol (Concentrate)
1. Texapon
2. Pine oil
3. Phenol
4. Chloroxylenol
5. IPA (Isopropanol)
6. Dettol colorant
7. Water
You notice some of the active chemicals used in the production of Dettol disinfectant (and germicide) are also mentioned here.
Materials And Quantity Needed For Production Of 1 Litre Of Antiseptic (Dettol Formula)
(Using tin milk cup as our measuring ingredients for making Dettol)
1. Texapon……..1/2 tin milk cup of texapon
2.Pine oil……..1 tin milk cup
3. Phenol………1 tin milk cup
4. Chloroxylenol…..1/2 tin milk cup
5. IPA (Isopropanol)…2 tin milk cups
6. Dettol colorant…As desired or quantity that will give you the exact color of Dettol (brown yellow).
7. Water………3 tin milk cups
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The chemical composition of Dettol ingredients in percentage as follows:
Texapon……. 5 0/0 percent
Pine oil………9 o/0
Phenol……….9 o/0
Chloroxylenol….4.5 0/o
IPA (Isopropanol)…12 o/0
To produce Dettol disinfectant: method of preparation of Dettol
Step 1. Turn the texapon into an empty bowl
Step 2. Add the pine oil and stir properly
Step 3. Add the phenol and stir also
Step 4. Add the chloroxylenol and stir properly
Step 5. Add the IPA (isopropanol) and stir thoroughly
Step 6. Finally, add water to the content and stir properly.
The color should be the last thing to add. Just dissolve the color in water and add slowly till you obtain your desired color.
Now, you have just produced your own Dettol antiseptic. Go and buy Dettol no more!
GUIDE TWO
Almost every average household has one form of antiseptic or the other to satisfy a diverse collection of sanitary needs. From disinfecting toilet seats to ridding bathing water of bad germs and purifying various items, Dettol and other antiseptics are just ideal.
Probably you intend to go into the production of antiseptics and you are like, ‘the required capital is usually on the high side’, ‘top-level education is required since it involves the use of chemicals, or ‘the return on investment is petty’.
Well, what if I told you that you are capitally wrong! First, it does not cost much to start the production of antiseptic, you do not need any specialized knowledge to go into the business, and the profit you stand to make can be overwhelming or perhaps you should take statistics of how many people regularly buy antiseptics, then you would realize.
And if you doubt me, go find out how much companies like Unilever make from sales of antiseptics like Dettol.
I must, however, emphasize that while you have great prospects of making it big in the industry, you must as well take precautions to avoid wastage and shortages that would increase your cost of production.
To be on the safe end of starting this business, some step by step approach on how to produce antiseptic.
We break the article into two parts. First of all, an introduction of all the items that are required in the process, and the production procedures.
- Required Items
- Texapon—It is the agent that causes the antiseptic to foam. It a substance that acts as a detergent in that it attacks germs by attaching its hydrophilic and hydrophobic units to the germ and extracts it from the water or any substance. It enhances the dissolution of non-polar substances such as fats and oil.
- Phenol—It’s an aromatic organic compound that has a romantic smell and is colorless. It’s also called hydroxybenzene, and it serves to disinfect impure substances and is used in reduced concentration. It is safe to use as a mouth disinfectant as well.
- Chloroxylenol— While this chemical is corrosive and should be handled with so much caution, it is the key ingredient in the Dettol production formula. It fights the bacteria in the substance you apply the Dettol on. I should emphasize that it’s a chemical that should be dealt with with much care, and in any eventuality that it causes harm, seek medical advice ASAP.
- Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA)—It is this ingredient that enables Dettol to serve to kill germs that contaminate an injury, as it gives the antiseptic the ability to fight bacteria and fungi. It is also a colorless organic compound under the Alkanol homologous series.
- Pine Oil—This ingredient has a sweet smell and functions as a disinfectant. It gives the impression of a dense white fume in the water when Dettol is poured into it. I’m sure you know what I am talking about.
- Coloring Agent—This is what gives the antiseptic the color it retains after production, you can color as you wish. Usually, a small quantity would do.
- Water—It is a colorless liquid, that is odorless and tasteless. Of course, you know that already! Well, just for the records.
- Production Procedures and Measurement (We are assuming you intend to produce 10 Liters Dettol)
- Measure out a quarter of a liter of Texapon, and turn it into an empty container.
- Add half a liter of Pine oil into the Texapon and mix very well.
- Add a quarter of a liter of Phenol into the mixture and stir very well.
- Add half a liter of Chloroxylenol into the container and mix very well.
- Add water, about 2 liters into the mixture and mix the entire thing well.
- Pour in the Isopropyl alcohol, about 6 liters, and continue the mixing.
- Before adding the coloring agent, ensure to first dissolve it in water and stir it well. After thoroughly stirring it, you can pour it into the antiseptic mixture. And this is the final step.
Note that suppose you intend to produce 20 liters of Dettol, all you need do is double the quantities of the ingredients you used; and this applies when you intend to produce less.
Precautions When Handling Antiseptics
This article would be incomplete if a cautionary note is not included to guide prospective entrepreneurs that are looking into going into the production of antiseptics.
You must use the product for external purposes only, avoid its contact with sensitive organs such as the eyes, the tongue, and ensure not to inhale it. The reagents in the antiseptic have the capacity to cause injuries to animals if not handled carefully.
Finally, it is important to recognize the place of effective advertisement in the success of any startup. Your marketing power depends on how well you promote your business either through social media or traditional mouth-to-mouth advertisements.
FOR MARKETING, YOU CAN START WITH YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD, CHURCH, WORKPLACE, MOTOR PARK, OR HOUSE-TO-HOUSE MARKETING. ALSO, NOTE THAT YOU WILL NEED GOVERNMENT APPROVAL TO ADD CREDENCE TO YOUR PRODUCTS.
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