Every home, school, hotel and office uses liquid soap. That steady demand, plus low start up costs, makes liquid soap making one of the most popular small manufacturing businesses in Uganda.
Common ingredients
- Sulphonic acid (the main active ingredient)
- Caustic soda or soda ash to neutralise
- Texapon (SLES) for foam
- Thickener such as CMC
- Glycerine, colour, perfume and preservative
- Clean water
Safety first
Sulphonic acid and caustic soda can burn skin and eyes. Always wear gloves, goggles and a face mask, work in a ventilated space, add chemicals to water (not water to chemicals) and keep children away.
Learning the process
Get hands on training from a vocational institute or experienced producer. Measure carefully, mix in the correct order and test pH so the soap is gentle on hands.
Packaging and branding
Offer different sizes: small bottles for households, 5 and 20 litre jerrycans for schools, offices and restaurants. A clean label with your brand, contacts, batch number and ingredients builds trust.
Certification
To sell in supermarkets and to institutions, apply for the Q mark or S mark from the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS). Register your business and brand name.
Where to sell
- Schools, hospitals and churches
- Hotels, restaurants and car washes
- Shops, supermarkets and markets
- Door to door and WhatsApp orders
Frequently asked questions
Can I start with little capital?
Yes. Many producers start with a few jerrycans of raw materials and grow by reinvesting profits.
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