Lars J.

Lab Experiment

Research Question:
Will natural ingredients degreaser work as effective as the industrial one, as well as being
environmentally friendly?

Justification:

Environmentally conscious cleaners are tend to be used everywhere. Castile soap has become a
household staple for this topic. The uses of natural ingredients, and a good combination of them, are
effective for removing grease. For my experiment the use of lemon is supreme due to its high acid
content makes it the perfect solvent for oil and grease residues; also its smell is refreshing and
provides a feeling of cleanliness. Baking soda, even that is an inorganic compound it is well known for
being a great degreaser (Wiscedu, 2019). Hydrophilic and hydrophobic compounds just don't mix, the
cleansing action of soap is determined by its polar and non-polar structures in conjunction with an
application of solubility principles; when grease or oil (non-polar hydrocarbons) are mixed with a soap-
water solution, the soap molecules work as a bridge between polar water molecules and non-polar oil
molecules. The castile soap which is made exclusively with vegetable oils, mainly olive oil, blended
with coconut oil, will break the oily dirty stains.

Hypothesis:
If I combine correct quantities a natural degreaser, this will cut off a greasy kitchen surface, just like an
industrial degreaser.

Hypothesis justification:
The action of breaking grease in surfaces, obeys to the proper combination of compounds. Castile
soap is made of olive oil, that is a natural organic compound, that is built up mainly of triglycerides or
fats and contains small quantities of free fatty acids, glycerol, phosphatides, pigments, flavor
compounds, sterols, and microscopic bits of olive, these are molecules derived from the natural
esterification of three fatty acid molecules with a glycerol molecule. The fatty acids vary, in the case of
olive oil from about 14 to 24 carbon atoms in length. : The abrasive texture of baking soda, as crystals
is useful for cleaning dirt and stains from a variety of surfaces. Lemon juice's high acidity means that it
has a high concentration of hydrogen ions; can corrode metals, so its corrosive properties make it a
useful ingredient in cleaning products, because it softens the minerals in hard water, allowing the
cleaning agents to work more effectively.

Control Variable Dependent Variable Independent Variable

Room temperature Grease surface Castile soap
Stirring rate Baking soda
Lemon juice

.
Description:
I will create a degreaser over a greasy surface, compared to an industrial degreaser to identify how
promptly the stain is removed by each one of them.

Materials Equipment Reactants

● balance
● Spatula ● chronometer ● 500 mL distilled water
● 1 plastic spray bottle ● 2 tablespoons lemon
● Table spoons juice (pulp strained)
● beakers of 300ml ● ½ teaspoon Castile
● beaker 750mL soap (*)
● dropper ● 1 tablespoon baking
● funnel soda
● stirrer ● 10 drops lemon
● Paper towel essential oil
● Label, marker ● Dirty kitchen surface

(*) Previously prepared. See

Appendix No. 1

Table 1. List of materials, equipment and reactants are going to be used.

Figure 1. Materials Figure 2. Dirty kitchen surface

Note: This was a homemade experiment, bowls and glasses were used as the laboratory equipment
described above.

Procedure:

1. Pour 250 mL distilled water into a 750 mL beaker.

2. Add the lemon juice, Castile soap and baking soda to the 750 mL beaker and whisk until well
combined, being careful not to whip up the soap too much.
3. Add the lemon essential oil and stir to combine.
4. Transfer your lemon degreaser to the clean spray bottle using a funnel.
5. You’ll notice that some baking soda has settled in the bottom of your 750 mL beaker. Pour 250 mL
of water into the 750 mL beaker and stir to help get the remaining baking soda out of the bowl.
6. Immediately pour the 250 mL water baking soda mixture into your spray bottle through the funnel.
Figure 3. Using funnel to fill in spray bottle

7. Secure the lid on the bottle of your Lemon Degreaser.

8. Print a free label and attach to your glass spray bottle.

Figure 4. Degreasers (Left: natural. Right: industrial )

9. Apply spray shoot of each degrease to the dirt surface.

Figure 5. Area to be sprayed Figure 6. Spray applied

SAFETY: Read the label and instructions for use before using any new cleaning product. Be sure to
wear appropriate protective clothing, to safeguard your skin. And always make sure to use products in
a well-ventilated area. Wear goggles in order to avoid spills get into your eyes
RESULTS:

In order to obtain a correct comparison for the effectiveness of the degreaser the spray over the stain
diameter will be measured initially, after periods of 5 and 10 minutes, the stain is observed and
measure again in case of any dirt present.

MEASUREMENTS DIAMETER OF THE AFTER 5 OBSERVATIONS

SPOT TO BE CLEANED min

DEGREASER

NATURAL 10 cm 8 cm Generated less bubbles

INDUSTRIAL 10 cm 6 cm Generated a lot of bubbles

Table 2. Results of the application of the degreaser solution after 5 minutes

MEASUREMENTS DIAMETER OF THE AFTER 10´ OBSERVATIONS

SPOT TO BE CLEANED min

DEGREASER

NATURAL 10 cm 2 cm Brownish color appeared

INDUSTRIAL 10 cm 4 cm Brownish color appeared

Table 3. Results of the application of the degreaser solution after 10 minutes

Data Interpretation:

Observations during the experiment showed that the natural degreaser needs more time to show
positive results, as for leaving a clean oven. Table1. Shows the result after 5 minutes, that
demonstrate that the industrial degreaser diminishes a 40 % off the grease, while the natural one only
the 20 %. After the ten minutes, as shown in table 2. Both products have reached 50 %, leaving 20%
of the grease in the area of the industrial, versus 40% of the natural one. In both cases it is necessary
to rub and carve, and rinse several times, until it is clean.
Comparing the results, as shown in Table 4, allows to observe in Graph 1. That natural degrease
takes more time than the industrial one. A tendency of cleaning the grease surface is noticed in Table
5, leading to Graph 2. The line will arrive to cero grease within time (extrapolation up to 20 minutes.

DIAMETER (cm)
TIME (min) INDUSTRIAL NATURAL
1 0 10 10
2 5 6 8
3 10 2 4
Table 4. Comparative Data
 GREASE DIAMETER VS TIME
12

GREASE DIAMETER (cm)

10

6
INDUSTRIAL
4 NATURAL
2

0
1 2 3
TIME (min)

Graph 1. Bar Graph. DEGREASER vs TIME

DIAMETER (cm)
TIME (min) INDUSTRIAL NATURAL
1 0 10 10
2 5 6 8
3 10 2 4
4 20 0 0
Table 5. Comparative Data adding extrapolation.

GREASE DIAMETER VS TIME

12
GREASE DIAMETER (cm)

10

6
INDUSTRIAL
4 NATURAL
2

0
1 2 3 4
TIME (min)

Graph 2. Linear Graph. Tendency of DEGREASER vs TIME

Statistics of Industrial Degreaser: Statistics of Natural Degreaser:
Mean: 4.5 Mean: 5.5
Median: 4 Median: 6
Mode: No mode Mode: No mode

Conclusions:
The correct combinations of the formula used, acted as a natural degreaser, it was shown that the
greasy kitchen surface was cut off, just like an industrial degreaser. After analyzing the results it is
observed that it will require more time, this are only few minutes more. Nowadays we must think in a
eco-friendly way, using ingredients that also perform effectively. These avoid toxic butyl cello solve,
petroleum in detergents; and triclosan, chemicals that can be substituted by grain alcohol, coconut or
other plant oils, plant-oil disinfectants such as eucalyptus, rosemary. “You can also mix your own
cleaners, by using a few safe, simple ingredients such as plain soap, water, baking soda (sodium
bicarbonate), vinegar, washing soda (sodium carbonate), lemon juice, and borax can satisfy most
household cleaning needs — and save you money at the same time.” (Green Guide, 2003). A lot of
disease such as cancer, asthma, allergic reaction and headaches are related to the use of chemicals
like phthalates and fragrances that besides, are destroying nature. Saving money, avoiding the use of
chemicals, helping the environment, disinfecting effectively and naturally, are some of the reasons
why you can implement the plan to make your own cleaners.

Method evaluation:

Limitations: Try procedures with more chemical basis in order to demonstrate how pollution is
present and obtain data to be placed in an expert level of scientific report, so that it can impact more to
the use of commercial chemicals in a general way.

Weaknesses: The color of the natural degreaser is not crystal, looks turbid, using a different soap
may change this turbidity.

Strengths: Helping the environment is cleaning your kitchen with the best commercial degreaser, we
will rinse it with industrial waste.one of the world’s new goals, so this experiment shows the
importance to avoid the typical chemicals we pour in the sinks daily, to the lakes, and rivers, where
water is obtained, if we keep

Improvements and extensions:

The improvements I could suggest, is prove different combination of natural ingredients to cut grease
of kitchen surface. As well, to find something different than caustic soda, that is the chemical that may
contaminate more the environment on this formula.
References:
Green Guide (c2003). Grist 502019. Retrieved 26 May, 2019, from
https://grist.org/article/possessions-cleaning/

Group Leaf LTD. (2019). Sciencing. Retrieved 25 May, 2019.from

https://sciencing.com/physical-chemical-properties-sodium-bicarbonate-6571412.html

Northseattleedu. (c2009). Northseattleedu. Retrieved 25 May, 2019, from

http://facweb.northseattle.edu/jpatterson/pdf/chem252p/252Preparation of Soap10.pdf

Regla, Et. All. (c2013). Unammx. Retrieved 25 May, 2019, from

http://www.revista.unam.mx/vol.15/num5/art38/

Wiscedu. (c2010). Wiscedu. Retrieved 25 May, 2019, from

https://oconto.extension.wisc.edu/files/2011/02/Baking-Soda.pdf
 Appendix 1

Castile soap:

Reactants:
Extra virgin olive oil (330 gr.)
Caustic soda (41 gr.)
Demineralized water (106 gr.)

Materials:
Silicone mold
Mixer
Thermometer
Large bowl
Pan

Security measures: Use glasses, gloves and mask