Production of Cleaning Agents, Deodorants, Cosmetics – JSS1 Home Economics Lesson Note (Second Term)

Cleaning agents, deodorants and cosmetics are household products that clean surfaces, remove or hide bad smells, and care for or beautify the body.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. Name six types of homemade cleaning agents.
2. State what each homemade cleaning agent can be used to clean.
3. List the materials needed to make homemade vim.
4. Describe the steps for preparing homemade vim.
5. Define a deodorant and give examples of homemade deodorants.
6. Define cosmetics and name examples that can be made at home.

What are homemade cleaning agents?

Homemade cleaning agents are cleaning materials that can be made or found locally.

• Abrasives: many of them rub dirt off surfaces because they are rough or gritty.
• Cheap: they cost little because the materials are easy to find.
• Local: examples are fine sand, Edo powder, finely ground charcoal, pawpaw leaves and Asisa leaves.

What are the types of homemade cleaning agents?

There are six common types of homemade cleaning agents: fine sand, Edo powder, finely ground charcoal, pawpaw leaves, Asisa leaves and homemade vim.

Fine sand

• Use: an abrasive for cleaning pots.
• Caution: do not use it on smooth surfaces, because it scratches them.

Edo powder

• Description: a yellow-coloured substance sold in Nigerian markets, with a fine, smooth texture.
• Use: cleaning ornaments such as copper, gold and brass.

Finely ground charcoal

• Use: cleaning smooth metal surfaces.

Pawpaw leaves

• Use: fresh leaves clean dirty galvanised pails and blackened aluminium pans and pots.

Local sand-paper leaves (Asisa leaves)

• Description: the leaves have rough, sandy surfaces.
• Use: abrasives for cleaning plain wood surfaces, blackened pots and similar items.

Homemade vim (scouring powder)

• Description: an abrasive powder made at home from egg shells, broken china ware and detergent powder.
• Use: scouring dirty pots, sinks and other hard surfaces.

How is homemade vim prepared?

Homemade vim is prepared by grinding egg shells and china ware into powder and mixing it with detergent powder.

What materials are needed?

• Egg shells: washed and dried, they give the gritty scouring action.
• Broken china ware: used if available, it adds more grit.
• Detergent powder: helps to lift grease and dirt.
• Dry container with a lid: for storing the finished powder.

What is the procedure?

1. Grind the egg shells and pieces of china ware into very fine powder.
2. Sift the mixture to ensure a smooth powder.
3. Mix the powder thoroughly with the detergent powder.
4. Store in a dry container with a good lid.

What is a deodorant?

A deodorant is a substance that removes, reduces or hides unpleasant smells.

• Cause of body odour: sweat itself has little smell, but germs on the skin break it down and produce the odour.
• Body deodorants: applied to the skin, usually under the arms, as roll-on, spray, stick or powder.
• Room deodorants: used to freshen the air in rooms, toilets and wardrobes. They are also called air fresheners.

What are examples of homemade deodorants?

• Lemon or lime juice: rubbed on clean underarms to reduce odour. It may sting freshly shaved skin.
• Bicarbonate of soda (baking soda): a little dusted on dry, clean underarms absorbs moisture and odour.
• Dried orange or lemon peels: placed in rooms, wardrobes or shoe racks to give a fresh smell.
• Lemon grass: kept in a room to give a pleasant scent.

How can good hygiene reduce body odour?

• Bathe at least once a day with soap and clean water.
• Dry the body well, especially the underarms.
• Wear clean, dry clothes and change underwear daily.

What are cosmetics?

Cosmetics are products applied to the body to clean, protect, perfume or improve its appearance.

• Body cream and lotion: keep the skin soft and moist.
• Pomade: a soft, oily product used to groom and soften the hair.
• Powder: applied to the skin to absorb sweat and give a smooth feel.
• Perfume: gives the body or clothes a pleasant smell.
• Lip balm and lipstick: protect and colour the lips.
• Soap: cleans the skin.

What local materials are used to make cosmetics?

• Shea butter: a natural fat from the shea nut, used to soften skin and hair.
• Coconut oil: used on skin and hair.
• Palm kernel oil: used on skin and hair.
• Aloe vera gel: from the aloe vera leaf, used to soothe and moisturise skin.
• Honey: used in some skin and lip care mixtures.

How is a simple homemade body butter made?

1. Wash and dry the container, spoon and bowl very well.
2. Melt the shea butter gently over warm water.
3. Stir in a little coconut oil.
4. Pour the mixture into the clean container.
5. Leave it to cool and set, then close the lid and label it.

What safety rules should be followed?

• Patch test: try a small amount on the skin first to check for itching or rashes.
• Cleanliness: use clean tools and containers to avoid germs.
• Eyes: keep products away from the eyes.
• Storage: keep products away from heat and out of children’s reach.

What is the difference between cleaning agents, deodorants and cosmetics?

Evaluation

1. Name three homemade cleaning agents.
2. Why should fine sand not be used on smooth surfaces?
3. State the four steps in preparing homemade vim.
4. What is a deodorant? Give two examples of homemade deodorants.
5. Name two cosmetics and one local material used to make them.

Assignment

Bring the following materials to the next class for the preparation of homemade vim:

1. Egg shells
2. Broken china ware (if available)
3. Detergent powder