Here’s the detailed evaluation guide for soap quality assessment, including acceptable values
for each response variable.
Soap Quality Assessment: Methods,
Procedures, and Acceptable Values
Response Meaning & Evaluation Materials Step-by-Step Acceptable
Variable Purpose Method Required Procedure Values
Determines
how well
the soap 1. Prepare 1%
spreads and soap solution. 2.
Tensiometer - Soap solution 25-40 mN/m
cleans. Dip the plate in
Surface (Wilhelmy Plate (1% w/v) - (Lower is
Lower the solution. 3.
Tension or Du Noüy Distilled water - better for
values Pull out the plate
Ring) Tensiometer cleansing).
indicate and measure
better surface tension.
cleaning
power.
1. Prepare
different soap
Minimum
solutions (0.1% -
concentratio - Soap solutions 0.1-1% w/v
Critical 2%). 2. Measure
n where Tensiometry or (0.1% - 2% w/v) (Lower CMC
Micelle surface tension
micelles Conductivity - Tensiometer - = more
Concentration or conductivity.
form, Measurement Conductivity efficient
(CMC) 3. Identify the
improving meter surfactant).
concentration
cleaning.
where values
stabilize.
1. Mix 50mL
Ability of soap solution
soap to - Soap solution with 5mL oil. 2.
stabilize oil (5% w/v, 50mL) Shake for 1 min. >60%
Emulsification and water. Centrifuge & - Oil (5mL) - 3. Let it sit for 10 emulsificatio
Capacity Higher Visual Inspection Centrifuge - min & centrifuge n (Higher is
values mean Graduated at 3000 rpm for 5 better).
better cylinder min. 4. Measure
cleaning. emulsified layer
height.
Washing Determines Stain Removal - Fabric pieces 1. Stain fabric >80% stain
Efficiency soap’s Test & (5cm × 5cm) - samples. 2. Wash removal for
ability to Spectrophotomet Dirt or oil - 5% with 5% soap good soap.
Response Meaning & Evaluation Materials Step-by-Step Acceptable
Variable Purpose Method Required Procedure Values
solution for 5
min. 3. Rinse &
dry. 4. Measure
soap solution -
remove stain reduction
ry Spectrophotomet
stains. visually or using
er
a
spectrophotomet
er.
1. Pour 50mL
soap solution
- Soap solution into a 100mL
Determines Foam height
(1% w/v) - graduated
Foam foaming Ross-Miles Foam ≥ 150mm
Graduated cylinder. 2.
Height/Stabilit power and Test / Cylinder initially, ≥
cylinder Shake for 30 sec.
y duration of Shake Test 100mm after
(100mL) - 3. Record foam
foam. 5 min.
Stopwatch height
immediately and
after 5 min.
Represents
1. Weigh 5g
soap
- Soap sample soap. 2. Dissolve TFM ≥ 76%
quality;
Gravimetric (5g) - Ethanol in ethanol. 3. (Premium
higher TFM
Total Fatty Analysis (Fat (50mL, 95%) - Add excess HCl Soap), 60-
means
Matter (TFM) Extraction & HCl (0.5N) - to neutralize 75% (Good),
better
Weighing) Weighing soap. 4. Filter, <60% (Low
moisturizin
balance dry, and weigh Quality).
g & less
fatty residue.
harshness.
1. Prepare 1% 7-10 (Ideal
Determines soap solution. 2. Range for
- Soap solution
pH of Soap skin- pH Meter Calibrate pH Toilet Soap),
(1% w/v) - pH
Solution friendliness Measurement meter. 3. 9-10 for
meter
of soap. Measure pH of Laundry
the solution. Soap.
1. Extract
Measures Varies based
compounds using
specific - HPLC/GC-MS on active
appropriate
active machine - ingredient
Concentration solvent. 2. Inject
ingredients HPLC or GC-MS Solvent used (e.g.,
of Target into HPLC or
(e.g., herbal Analysis (methanol/water) Herbal
Compounds GC-MS. 3.
extracts, - Soap extract extract >1%,
Identify &
essential sample Essential oils
quantify
oils). >0.5%).
compounds.
Time-Related Evaluates Repeated - Stopwatch - 1. Measure foam No major
Responses changes in Measurement Graduated height, pH, or decrease in
Response Meaning & Evaluation Materials Step-by-Step Acceptable
Variable Purpose Method Required Procedure Values
foam height
soap (>80%
properties retention
emulsification at
over time cylinder - pH after 10
Over Time 0 min, 5 min, 10
(foam meter min), pH
min, etc.
stability, pH stability
shift, etc.). (±0.5 change
max).
1. Weigh 5g soap
Determines (W1). 2. Dry in
water an oven at 105°C
- Soap sample 8-12% for
content in for 3 hours. 3.
(5g) - Oven hard soap,
Moisture soap. Too Oven Drying Reweigh dried
(105°C) - 15-20% for
Content high causes Method (105°C) sample (W2). 4.
Weighing softer soap
softness, too Calculate
balance bars.
low causes moisture content:
cracking. ((W1 - W2) /
W1) × 100
Summary of Acceptable Values for High-Quality Soap
Surface Tension: 25-40 mN/m (Lower is better for cleansing).
CMC: 0.1-1% w/v (Lower = more efficient surfactant).
Emulsification Capacity: >60% (Higher is better).
Washing Efficiency: >80% stain removal.
Foam Height: ≥ 150mm initially, ≥ 100mm after 5 min.
Total Fatty Matter (TFM): ≥76% (Premium), 60-75% (Good), <60% (Low Quality).
pH: 7-10 (Toilet Soap), 9-10 (Laundry Soap).
Concentration of Active Ingredients: Varies (e.g., Herbal Extract >1%, Essential
Oils >0.5%).
Time-Related Stability: Foam retention >80% after 10 min, pH stability within ±0.5.
Moisture Content: 8-12% (Hard Soap), 15-20% (Soft Soap).
Why These Values Matter?
High TFM means more natural fatty matter, which is gentler and moisturizing.
Lower Surface Tension & CMC mean better dirt-removing efficiency.
Balanced pH ensures skin safety (too high pH can cause irritation).
Foam Height & Stability impact consumer preference.
Moisture Content affects shelf life and soap hardness.
