Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

My daughter is doing the Science Buddies project, "The Chemistry of Clean: Make Your Own Soap to Study Soap Synthesis" It requires 3-M Sodium Hydroxide Solution. From my research, this can only be sold to schools and approved businesses (we home school). It looks like it can be purchased in a kit, but at $142 I knew I could assemble the kit much cheaper myself. I already have most of the other required items and my daughter has already completed everything up to the experiment. I'm very frustrated, especially since it's not mentioned in the project that this item is hard to acquire. Anyone have any suggestions?

mamtormsl - I think you might find it easier and less expensive to prepare the 3M NaOH solution yourself. The attached link describes the procedure. Observe the warning comments closely, a significant exothermic reaction can take place. Wear safety goggles and latex, nitrile or vinyl gloves.

You may be able to find NaOH at your pharmacy, at Home Depot or Lowe's or other hardware supply houses (as drain cleaner products) even on eBay. Make sure you check the ingredients to get something as close to pure NaOH as possible. Some craft stores that support home soap making may also be helpful.

http://chemistry.about.com/od/labrecipe ... utions.htm

Good luck.

Rick Marz