Kahel: Dishwashing Liquid from Orange Peelings

Glendale School

#11 St. Benedict St.Paradise Village

Project 8, Quezon City

KAHEL

Dishwashing Liquid from Orange Peelings

In Partial Fulfillment of the Course

Requirement in Research

Presented by:

Janna Mae A. Colman

John Paolo S. Barrameda

Renzett Garcia

Presented to:

Dr. Marilou Juachon-Panlilio

Mr. Arnold Antiporda

Ms. Sherrlene Uy

Mr. Gemini Malubay

October 24, 2013

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We would like to express our deep gratitude to our teachers, Ms. Sherrlene Uy and Mr. Gem Malubay, for their useful and constructive suggestions and recommendations during the planning and development of this research project.

We also wish to thank our classmates for their help and assistance given to us. Their moral support on us has been very much appreciated.

We would like to acknowledge the never-ending moral support and assistance of our families to make this project possible. Their willingness to extend their help to us has been very much valued.

Above all, we thank God for His overflowing blessings, guidance, love, and for giving us strength, knowledge, and protection on our everyday lives.

ABSTRACT

This study aims to make an organic dishwashing liquid from orange peels. People usually use commercially produced dishwashing liquids to clean their kitchen and eating utensils yet the possible effects of such products on their health – considering they contain a lot of chemicals – are unclear to them.

The researchers used orange peels, white vinegar, tea tree oil, and soap for this study. For the first trial, they took the skin off of the oranges, heated the peels on 6 cups of water, and strained them out afterwards. Next, they put the mixture in a bowl and added one-third cup of white vinegar and a half teaspoon of tea tree oil. They left the mixture for 1 day. The results were unfavorable yet the scent of orange was very noticeable – it can’t clean and has low viscosity – and so they went on for a second trial. The researchers used and heated the mixture from their first trial and put in half grated bar of soap. After a day, the mixture produces bubble when shaken and improved its smell – but the scent of the soap used was dominant. The mixture was tested on a plate – which had recently used prior to the test – and it did not clean. The third trial of experimentation yielded the coveted result. The mixture is capable of cleaning when tested to clean a plate. Accurate measurement was the problem of the first two trials while it is a contributing factor to the success of the third one.

CHAPTER ONE:

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Introduction

Germs are everywhere and people are indeed exposed to these harmful, microscopic organisms everyday of their lives – especially during summer when temperatures reach record high allowing sickness and heat-caused disease get in the way [Republic of the Philippines - Media Relations Unit. (May 6, 2013)]. What is the most common way to get rid of bacteria? Everyone would agree that nothing's better than soap.

According to soaphistory.net, soaps come in different types depending on how and where one would use them. They also come in different forms such as solid, liquid, and powdered form. Each type of soap comprises different chemicals that contribute to its over-all quality.

In the present time and age, soap is an essential part of building one’s health when it comes to the aspect of personal hygiene. Soaps do it all. We use them to clean our whole body. But according to goaskalice.columbia.edu, regular soaps don’t actually KILL germs – rather, they take them off the skin, allowing these germs to be rinsed off by water.

Soap is not limited to be used as a body cleaner. It is also used to clean the dishes – it is called dishwashing soap or detergent.

Consumerreports.org placed that dishwashing soaps come in many forms – tablets, gel, and powder – but they often come in liquid form because they are less messy than a plain bar of soap according to health.harvard.edu.

These soaps can clean but are full of chemicals that are toxic – most especially for children. Because of the spread of dishwashing liquids that claim to be all-natural available in the market today, one cannot determine who’s true and who’s not. This study aims to develop an organic dishwashing liquid made with real orange peels.

Statement of Objectives

This study aims to discover the potential of orange peels as an organic and all-natural dishwashing liquid that is very relevant in terms of the cleanliness of kitchen and eating utensils people often use and that has a least amount of chemical in comparison to any leading dishwashing liquid available in the market today. It will inspire Filipinos, especially the youth, to develop any biodegradable and/or non-biodegradable materials that would otherwise be thrown away and turn them into new products to prevent disposal of potentially useful materials to somehow reduce the radically growing amount of waste in the Philippines. Also, this study will provide encouragement for the Filipino youth to put up a business ate their early age by selling products they developed themselves and to earn on their own and learning how to be independent – making the youth today more productive.

The specific objectives of this study are as follows:

1)      Create a dishwashing liquid that is chemical free and environment-friendly.

2)      Use orange peels a primary ingredient in making dishwashing liquid.

3)      Use white vinegar and tea tree oil for added cleaning benefits in the dishwashing liquid.

4)      Since orange peels are natural insect repellant according to wisegeek.org, we aim to discover if it can decrease the risk of insect-causing diseases that are incorporated in the utensils people use in transporting food into their body using this dishwashing liquid made out of orange peels.

Significance of the Study

            No matter how good, delicious and healthy one’s food is, if his/her kitchen and eating utensils are as bad as it can get dirty, then it cannot be told that he/she is eating the right way. Cleanliness is important most especially when it comes to the things we use that involves putting it on and in our body. At times, we clean these things using products which have countless chemicals in them.

            In this study, the researchers aim to create an organic dishwashing liquid with orange peels as its primary component.

            Orange peels have a lot of benefits and uses. According to Floridachemical.com, one of the many uses of orange peels is as a natural solvent cleaner because they contain d-limonene – they are used in a wide variety of cleaning products and they are extremely safe.

            Through this study, one would be aware of the potential of otherwise be thrown away materials like peels of fruits like those in oranges and the importance of using organic products in cleaning utensils and other things. It would create a mean for those people who stay in their house for long hours everyday to make use of their time and come up and develop useful products out of nothing. It would also benefit those hygiene-meticulous people and environmentalists as this study aims at producing all-natural dishwashing liquid. The other beneficiaries of this study are wives who are left at home when their husbands and children are out as it will encourage them to create their own healthy organic cleaning material. Moreover, this study will be promoting awareness on the significance of recycling materials that would otherwise be disposed of. Furthermore, this will promote health awareness to protect the children from chemical-based cleaning products. 

Scope and Delimitation

Converting would-be thrown away orange peels into another useful product and bringing to light the potential of orange peels as a dishwashing liquid are the main concerns of this study.           

The research is focused mainly on the development of organic dishwashing liquid made out of orange peels and its capability of cleaning kitchen and eating utensils. One (1) week has been consumed to get the final result of the study through experimentation. Some of the materials used in this research have to be bought in the market while the others are readily available in one of the researchers’ house.

The study is limited on the use of orange peels, white vinegar, tea tree oil, and soap only. Three (3) sets of experiments have been done to yield the actual and coveted result.

CHAPTER TWO:

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURES AND STUDIES

The review on the study focuses on the history of dishwashing and the health and cleaning benefits of oranges – primarily the uses of their peels. Considering the rapid growth of biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste in the country, one should be aware of the possible benefits of potentially useful materials by recycling. The internet has been used as a reference to get the necessary facts and information in the study.

History of Soaps and Detergents

Earliest evidence of the existence of soap is as early as 2800 B.C. They were found during the excavation of ancient Babylon.

Based in the Ebers Papyrus, the combining of animal and vegetable oils with alkaline salts is used to form a soap to prevent the ancient Egyptians from skin diseases and for washing. The Ebers Papyrus is a medical document from about 1500 B.C.

As time went by, the Israelites received detailed laws governing cleanliness from Moses. Moses related the cleanliness to health and religious purification.

The early Greeks doesn’t use soap for bathing but Greeks bathed for aesthetic reasons. Instead of using soap for their bodies, they used blocks of clay, sand, pumice and ashes, then rub themselves with oil, and they scraped off the oil and dirt using the metal instrument that known as a strigil. Despite of this, they also used oil with ashes and their clothes were washed without soap.

According to an ancient Roman legend, soap got its name from Mount Sapo.                          

Mount Sapo is where animals were sacrificed. A women found out that this kind of clay mixture that was made from melted animal fat, or tallow, and wood ashes down into the clay soil along the Triber River can made their wash cleaner with much less effort.

During the mid-1800s, the advancement of technology was started and the invention of the Belgian Chemist, Ernest Solvay of the ammonia process, which also used common table salt, or sodium chloride, to make soda ash. Solvay's process further reduced the cost of obtaining this alkali, and increased the quality and quantity of the soda ash that is available for manufacturing soap. An alkali is a soluble salt of an alkali metal like sodium or potassium. Originally, the alkali is used in soap making were obtained from the ashes of plants, but they now a days they are now made commercially.

Based in scientific discoveries and the improvement of power to operate some factories, soap making is one of the America’s fastest-growing industries back in 1850. As time went by, the use of soap has changed from being a luxury item to an everyday necessity. With this, the improvement of the milder soaps for bathing and soaps for washing machines that were available to consumers.

Back in seventh century in Europe, Soap making was an established craft. Soap maker used vegetable and animals oil with ashes of plants for the fragrance of the soap. In this century the soap became available in different used. Example for shaving, shampooing, bathing and as well as laundering. 

During 12th century the center of soap manufacturing was Italy, Spain and France because they are a lot and ready supply of raw materials such as oil from olive trees which is used in manufacturing a soap. During 12th century the English began to start a soap business. The English business became successful and it was good because of the business were successful, in 1962 King James I granted a monopoly for the soap maker for about $100,00 every year. In 19th century the soap was heavily taxed because it’s a luxury item in several countries. But when the high tax was removed, soap became available to ordinary people and the cleanliness standards were improved.

The ingredients of soap manufacturing stayed essentially the same until 1916, because of WWI they’ve experienced shortage of fats which is used for making soap. The first synthetic detergent was developed in Germany which is the solution in their problem. Synthetic detergents are the non-soap washing and cleaning products that are synthesized.

In the early 1930’s the household detergent production began in the United States. The first detergents were used for hand dishwashing and fine fabric laundering. The development of detergents for all-purpose laundry uses came in 1946. The ingredients that used in the first built detergent was a surfactant/builder combination and it was introduced in the U.S. Surfactant means a basic cleaning ingredient in manufacturing detergent product’s. While the builder helps the surfactant to be more effective and efficiently. Phosphate compounds used as builders which is can used to improve the performance.

Health and Cleaning Benefits of Orange peels

In livestrong.com – “A   list of the benefits of orange peels”, orange peels have flavonoids that help prevent lung cancer. Moreover, these flavonoids also help vitamin C, which is an important antioxidant vitamin, to prevent skin cancer. Orange peels also have polymethoxyflavones and liminoid that may stop or prevent not just lung cancer, but cancer in other organs as well. In addition to that, in 2000, a study at the Arizona Cancer Center, found out that d-limonene in orange peels lessened the risk of deadly type of skin cancer called squamous cell carcinoma. Flavones in orange peels help lower cholesterol levels. Furthermore, oranges peels have been used in the nicotine gum developed by the University of Yonsei's College of Medicine which helps break down and remove nicotine from the body.

It is stated in livestrong.com – “Health properties of orange peel”, by Maura Wolf that orange peel is a good source of pectin which helps diminish an overactive appetite and lowers blood sugar that rise after a meal.

According also in livestrong.com – “How to whiten teeth with orange peels”, the “albedo” – the white portion of an orange peel – contains vitamin C, limonene, glucarate, pectin, soluble fiber, and other compounds. Limonene – a natural solvent cleaner – is extracted from orange peels and used in a wide variety of cleaning products.

It is indicated in wisegeek.org that the d-limonene in orange peels helps food digestion. It is a common treatment for the symptoms linked to acid reflux and heartburn. This component in orange peels also helps relieve stomachaches as well as constipation and diarrhea. Additionally, the citrus smell of orange peels helps with emotional issues and cure poor appetite, sadness, and anxiety as well.

CHAPTER THREE:

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Gathering of necessary information regarding the chosen topic was done during the first phase of the study. The internet has been used in acquiring facts and evidences. After gathering all the information needed in this study – specifically the benefits and uses of orange peels – experiments have been initiated.

The method used in this study is a very common procedure which can be seen in many websites like permaculture.org and liveeco.co.za offering instructions in making a D.I.Y. dishwashing liquid. However, the materials and the main ingredient used in this study are slightly different. The primary component of this study is orange peels. Sites mentioned earlier used white vinegar and tea tree oil in their D.I.Y. dishwashing liquid thus the researchers decided to include them also in this study. Before using them, research was done to know the relevance and benefits of these additional ingredients in making a dishwashing liquid.

Materials used in this study are as follows:

Ø      3 pieces of Orange

Ø      1/3 cup White vinegar

Ø      ½ teaspoon Tea tree oil

Ø      Pot

Ø      6 cups Water

Ø      Bowl

Ø      ½ Antibacterial Soap (grated)

Ø      Used bottle

The following is the actual procedure for the first trial:

1)      Peel the oranges. Separate the skin or the peel of the orange from the fruit itself using a peeler or a knife.

2)      Scrape. Scrape the white portion of the orange peels and put the bits into a small bowl. With the peels, set them aside.

3)      Heat the orange peels mixture. Put in a pot six (6) cups of water then add the peels and their white portion. Heat the mixture of water and orange peels until hot enough. Don’t let it reach boiling point. Stir continuously.

4)      Strain out the peels. When the mixture is warm enough, strain out the peels.

5)      Mix all ingredients. Put one-third (1/3) cup of white vinegar in the mixture. Add one-half (½) teaspoon of tea tree oil. Stir the mixture until all ingredients are completely mixed.

6)      Cool it down. Let the mixture cool down for 8-12 hours on the counter. Mix occasionally.

Due to the undesirable results of the first trial, the researchers went on for another round of experiment. The following procedure was done for the second trial:

1)      Heat the mixture again. Put the mixture in cooking pot and heat it again. While being heated, grate the bar of soap with a cheese grater. Stir thoroughly and continuously. Don’t let it reach boiling point.

2)      Let it cool down. Cool it down again for another 8-12 hours. Check occasionally.

3)      Put in a container. Put the mixture in a recyclable plastic bottle.

The second trial did not yield the desired result so another round of experiment was performed. For the third trial, the following are the materials and measurements used:

·        1 ½ cup Water

·        1 piece orange

·        1 tablespoon White Vinegar

·        Used bottle

·        1 teaspoon Tea Tree Oil

·        1 teaspoon Ivory Soap (grated)

·        Pot

·        Bowl

The following is the procedure for the third trial:

1)      Peel the orange. Remove the skin of the orange using a knife or a peeler. Set the peels aside.

2)      Boil the peels. Put one and a half (1½) cup of water in a pot and add the peels. Heat the mixture for about five (5) minutes and bring it to a boil.

3)      Strain out the peels. Using a strainer, remove the peels from the mixture and put the mixture in a bowl.

4)      Add the additional ingredients. Put one (1) tablespoon of white vinegar in the mixture. Add one (1) teaspoon of tea tree oil. Stir thoroughly.

5)      Grate the soap. Using a grater, grate one (1) tablespoon of ivory soap and add it into the mixture. Mix the ingredients well.

6)      Put it in a container. Put the dishwashing liquid in a recycled plastic container or bottle.

7)      Cool the mixture down for one (1) day.

Timetable of activities:

v     September 26 – Research about the benefits of orange peels

v     September 30 – Canvassing of materials

v     October 2 – DEADLINE of Objectives and Methodology

v     October 3 – 1^st trial of experiment

v     October 5 – 2^nd trial of experiment

v     October 6 – DEADLINE Significance of the study and Scope and Delimitation

v     October 7 – DEADLINE of Results and Discussion, Conclusion, and Recommendation

v     October 12 – First Complete Draft

v     October 13 – 3^rd trial of experiment

v     October 19 – Final Research Paper

v     October 21 – webpage

v     October 21-24 - posting of research blog on FB accounts

v     October 23 – Mock Defense

CHAPTER FOUR:

PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS OF DATA

Findings/Results

Number of Experiment	Procedure	Result
1st Trial	Peeled oranges. Put 6 cups of water in a pot then added the orange peels. Stirred the mixture continuously and heated it for a few minutes (but didn’t let it reach boiling point) and then strained out the peels. Added 1/3 cup of white vinegar and followed by ½ tsp. of tea tree oil. Cooled the mixture down for 1 day.	After 24 hours No suds were formed Colorless: with a tint of orange Liquid form (viscosity is low) Oil form on the sides The strong scent of tea tree oil is dominant Can’t clean
2nd trial	After one (1) day, the product from the 1st trial was used for another round of experiment. One-half (½) grated soap (germ protection soap) was added into the mixture while being heated in a pot. Did not bring into boil. Stirred thoroughly until hot enough. Cooled the mixture down for a day.	After one (1) day Suds form when mixed or shaken Viscosity has risen a minimal level Still liquid form Scent of soap is now dominant Yellow in color Still can’t clean
3rd trial	Peeled an orange and put the peels in a pot with 1½ cup of water. Boiled for a few minutes and strained out the peels. Added one (1) tablespoon of white vinegar and one (1) teaspoon of tea tree oil. Stirred thoroughly. Put the mixture in a plastic bottle and cooled it down for one (1) day.	After one (1) day: Suds appear when mixed or when put on a sponge Scent of the orange peels is dominant Yellowish-white in color Can actually clean

            During the first trial, the result was unfavorable. It was colorless with a tint of orange – its color was derived from the orange peels. The mixture was in liquid form with a low viscosity and no suds were formed – this was because no foaming agent was used. The result also lacks in soap quality. It was just like water – with tint and strong tea tree oil smell. Oil formed on the sides circulating the mixture – when mixed it disappears. It cannot clean when tried to wash a glass of water. It left an inadequate smell.

            The second trial has made some changes in the physical appearance of the product from the first trial. Significantly, the color and the smell of the mixture have altered – it became yellow in color and had a better smell – presumably because of the soap (germ protection soap) added to the mixture. Suds form when stirred or shaken (when in a bottle). The viscosity has risen a little – this time because of the added ingredient which is soap.

The third trial yielded the coveted result. One of the desirable characteristics of this trial's product was its smell – the orange scent was very noticeable and evident. The scent of tea tree oil has become apparent in the mixture. In addition, the soap’s color and smell was also obvious in the final result.

To know the product’s total effectiveness and cleaning capability, the researchers conducted a test. First, they applied medium amount of the mixture on a sponge to see if it foams – when squeezed, it produced fair amount of suds or bubbles. Subsequently, they tried to clean a plate – which has been used prior to the test – with the mixture. Apparently, the product cleaned the plate and did not leave any residue. Moreover, the mixture did not leave any scent.

Analyses of Data

Due to the undesirable results of the first two trials conducted by the researchers, the following factors that contributed to their lack of success are:

1)      Because one major cleaning component was missing – foaming agent which is Sodium Lauryl Sulfate that came from the lauric acid in coconut oil according to youngagain.org.

2)      Because the mixture was cooled down for a long time – it should be for 8-12 hours. It should be sat in a sunny spot.

3)      Because the soap used was germ protection soap rather than a naturally made soap (e.g. Castile soap, liquid castile soap).

4)      Because the quantity of the ingredients were not measured accurately.

The third trial produced the desired result because of the following factors:

1)      All the ingredients were in the right measurements. The amount of the ingredients used was proportionate to each other and the sizes of each ingredient were, in a way, measured accurately.

2)      The mixture was cooled down for 24 hours only and tested afterwards.

CHAPTER FIVE:

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

Conclusion

The first two trials did not yield the coveted result. The smell of the orange has not come out of their final result. Instead, the scent of the soap was dominant. Furthermore, it cannot clean plus it leaves inadequate smell on the dish. It lacks the foaming agent which is important in making soap-related products. Inaccurate measurement was the main factor that contributed to the lack of success of the first two sets of experiment.

The actual effective product was yielded from the third trial of experimentation. It has the scent of the orange fruit. In addition, it cleans well and it leaves no undesirable smell. Accurate measurement has affected the overall quality of the yielded product.

However, the researchers tried to make an organic dishwashing liquid with fewer chemicals that is why using a foaming agent was only put into possible options.

After the research has done, the researchers found out that the use of chemical shouldn’t be set aside for they are important in making soap products. They can be used as an added cleaning agent and a foaming agent as well.

Recommendation

            During the experimentation process, the researchers have missed some important ingredients to be added into the list of ingredients due to the following factors:

1)      There is a required budget limit that has to be considered.

2)      Some of the materials are expensive and would result in an over-priced project.

3)      There is one important material that is not available in the Philippines – Liquid Castile Soap – and has to be shipped.

Based on the yielded result of the research, the following recommendations are presented for possible further and more profound study:

·        The use of other citrus fruits (e.g. Lemon, calamansi, etc.) should also be considered. Their peels are as beneficial as those in oranges.

·        Gathering of information though research should be intensified on other alternative organic ingredients in making a dishwashing liquid prior to experimentation.

·        Use a foaming agent such as Sodium Lauryl Sulfate acquired from lauric acid in coconut oil to increase the effectiveness of the dishwashing liquid. It would create suds and would thicken the mixture making it more capable of cleaning dishes.

·        Since the researchers only have two (2) weeks to prepare, research, and conduct experiments, further study about this research should be done within a month – to intensify the acquisition of information of other possible ingredients and materials necessary in making a dishwashing liquid and to allot plenty of time on experimentation to yield a coveted result.

·        Add borax or washing soda (or both, if that is what you prefer) to the mixture for added cleaning effectiveness.  

·        Use natural soap instead of germ protection soap used by the researchers – preferably, liquid castile soap.   

·        It is recommended to use scented tea tree oil or anything that has a good fragrance for your dishwashing liquid. Use other essential oils.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Simolo, G. (2013). Make your own Organic Dishwashing Liquid. Retrieved from www.liveeco.co.za on October 19, 2013.

Florida Chemical Company. (--). What is d-Limonene? Retrieved from www.floridachemical.com on October 19, 2013.

La’ulu, A. (2009). Recipes for all sorts, liquid hand soap, disinfectant, laund. Retrieved from www.permaculture.org.nz on October 19, 2013.

ALICE. (2001). Does soap kill germs. Retrieved from www.Goaskalice.columbia.edu on October 19, 2013.

Soap History. (--). Types of Soap-Differences between Soaps. Retrieved from www.soaphistory.net on October 19, 2013.

Philippine Commission on women. (--). Zero waste recycling movement of the Philippines. Retrieved from www.pcw.gov.ph on October 19, 2013.

Republic of the Philippines - Media Relations Unit. (2013). P&G, health experts warn Filipino moms against germ hotspots. Retrieved from www.doh.gov.ph on October 19, 2013.

Mason, R. (--). Sodium Lauryl Sulfate is a safe toothpaste ingredient. Retrieved from www.youngagain.org on October 19, 2013.

Harvard Health Publications. (2007). The handiwork of good health. Retrieved from www.health.harvard.edu on October 19, 2013.

Consumer Reports. (2013). Dishwasher detergent buying guide. Retrieved from www.consumerreports.org on October 19, 2013.

Myers, C. (2011).A list of the benefits of orange peel. Retrieved from www.livestrong.com on October 19, 2013.

Greenwood, B. (2013). How to whiten teeth with orange peels. Retrieved from www.livestrong.com on October 19, 2013.

Wolf, M. (2010). Health properties of orange peel. Retrieved from www.livestrong.com on October 19, 2013.

For better living. (--). History. Retrieved from www.cleaninginstitute.org on October 19, 2013.

Healthy Cleaning. (--). Soaps and Detergents. Retrieved from www.healthycleaning101.org on October 19, 2013

APPENDICES

Appendix A

(Documentation of Procedures)

Figure 1. Ingredients used: White Vinegar, Tea tree oil, orange fruit

Figure 2. Peeling of oranges

Figure 3. Albedo - white portion of the orange peel

Figure 4. Boiling the mixture

Figure 5. Adding of anti-bacterial soap in the mixture (2nd trial)

Figure 6. Final product of the 2nd trial

Figure 7. Actual finished product of the 3rd and final product

 Appendix B

(Planning Documents)

Figure 8. Timetable of activities

Figure 9. Timetable of activities

Figure 10. Timetable of activities