This article may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure policy for more details.
Looking for info on how to do the exploding Ivory soap experiment? Check out this complete write up!
This exploding Ivory soap is a great example of a fun exploding STEM experiment. Preschoolers especially will love this engaging science activity.
Ivory soap is one of those classic household items that almost everyone has used at some point in their life. But have you ever stopped to think about what’s really inside of it?
Believe it or not, Ivory soap is made up of mostly air! In this blog post, we’re going to take a closer look at the science behind Ivory soap and find out why it explodes when you put it in water.
So are you ready to have some fun with science? This STEAM activity for kids is a great place to start!
Let’s go!
Easy Navigation
What Is Ivory Soap Made Of?
Ivory soap is one of the most recognizable brands of soap on the market. It has been around for over 140 years and is known for its characteristic white color and simple, clean scent.
But what is ivory soap made of? The answer may surprise you.
Ivory soap is actually made from a couple of different kinds of oil – palm oil and castor oil. These oils are combined with sodium hydroxide (lye), water, and a few other inconsequential ingredients(magnesium for example) to create what is called “soapstock.”
This soapstock is then mixed with air and passed through a machine that transforms it into the familiar bars of Ivory soap.
Finally, the bars are stamped with the Ivory logo and packaged for sale. So there you have it – the next time you reach for a bar of Ivory soap, you’ll know exactly what’s inside.
Now the question is what can we do with this information?
What Are Some Other Fun Science Experiments For Kids?
Before we dive into the exploding Ivory soap science experiment, be sure to take a look at these other fun science experiments and STEM activities for kids!
- STEM activities for preschoolers
- STEAM activities for elementary
- The Ultimate Collection of STEM Activities
If your kids like science,they are sure to love some of these amazing activity ideas!
Scientific Method Worksheets – Free Download
Before you move on, we’ve got some free scientific method worksheets for you to download and enjoy. These printable worksheets are useful for any science experiment, science project, STEM challenge, or STEM projects your students might be engaging in.
Turn every science project and STEAM activity into a thought-provoking STEM challenge. Plus give left brain and right brain kiddos alike a chance to utilize their strengths and improve their weaknesses. Get yours now!
About The Exploding Ivory Soap Science Experiment
Whoever decided to put soap in the microwave is amazing! Putting Ivory soap in the microwave will be an experiment that you and the kids will talk about as it’s simple and exciting to watch.
If you aren’t sure you have any Ivory brand soap around the house a quick way to check is by putting it in a bowl of water. If it floats, you have Ivory soap.
How To Make Ivory Soap Explode
Your kids are going to love this quick and easy science experiment!
Materials
- Ivory Brand Soap
- Microwave Safe Dish
- Microwave
Instructions
- Gather supplies
- Unwrap soap and place it on a microwave-safe dish.
- Put Ivory soap in the microwave for 2 minutes (the total time is dependent on your microwave but once the soap is done “exploding” it won’t hurt to be in the microwave a few seconds longer).
- Watch the soap as it “explodes!” You will see this start to happen within the first 10 seconds or so.
- When your soap is done. Carefully remove it from the microwave, the plate and soap will be hot.
- If you want to touch the soap be careful, it is warm, especially underneath all the “fluff.”
- When we were done with the soap “fluff” the kids used them in the shower, it was fun and they were squeaky clean.
Notes
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Follow-Up Questions And Activities
Use the following questions and activities to keep the learning going!
Questions
- What would happen if we microwaved other types of soap?
- What happens if you microwave wet or dry soap?
- What is so different about Ivory soap than other soaps?
Activities
- Learn about the soap-making process and make your own soap. Consider exploring a lesson on entrepreneurship.
- Look at Ivory soap and how it is made, try and recreate it.
- Measure the height and weight of your soap before and after the microwave.
- Conduct an experiment using the scientific method (and these free scientific method worksheets) where you compare and contrast various brands of soap. Compare things like explosion rate, short-term effect on the skin, long-term effect on the skin, smell, effect on hair, etc.
Why Does Ivory Soap Explode In The Microwave? The Science Behind Exploding Ivory Soap
Ivory soap is made with air bubbles therefore it is lighter than other soaps and reacts differently when heated up in a microwave.
Since Ivory soap has all of those air pockets when it is heated up in the microwave, water molecules inside the air pockets cause it to expand or “explode” and make this amazing project!
Free Printable Exploding STEM Project
Want a free project sample? Sign up to have one of the projects sent to you so you can get an idea of the type of experiment guides you’ll get in our STEM Made Easy Digital Subscription!
- Free Printable Valentine Multiplication Worksheets - June 4, 2025
- Free Printable Martin Luther King, Jr. Word Scramble - June 4, 2025
- Digital Math Curriculum | Pros, Cons, and Options - June 4, 2025