-
A Quick Start Guide to Soap Makingby Emma Buckley
-
2013 by United Publishing House
Digital Edition
This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This book may not be re-sold orgiven away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person,please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you're reading this book and didnot purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please purchase your owncopy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
All Rights Reserved. Published in the United States of America. No part of this book maybe reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means includinginformation storage and retrieval systems without permission in writing from thepublisher, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review.
The content of this book has been reviewed for accuracy. However, the author andpublisher disclaim any liability for any damages, losses, or injuries that may result fromthe use or misuse of any product or information presented herein. It is the purchasersresponsibility to read and follow all instructions and warnings on all product labels.
For information, please contact the author by email [email protected].
-
Table of Contents
IntroductionWhy Make Your Own Soap?How Does Soap Work?Different Types of SoapMolding Made Easy with Glycerin SoapsSoap Making Ingredients & SuppliesAll About Lye & SaponificationSafety Issues You Need to KnowSoap Making & Carrier OilsUsing Essential Oils in Your Homemade SoapBasic Soap Recipes for BeginnersConclusionAbout the AuthorAdditional ResourcesAcknowledgements
-
Introduction
Humanshavebasicneedsotherthanfood,shelter,andclothing.Forinstance,weneedtoiletriesforpersonalhygiene.Wealsoneedthingstoensurethatoursurroundingsareclean.AsidefromcleanlinessbeingnexttoGodliness,cleanlinessislikewisethekeytoahealthyandcomfortablelife.Thus,wehavetopracticeitonadailybasis.
Oneofthethingsthatwecanusetomakethispossibleissoap.Peopleneedsoapforavarietyofreasonsliketakingabath,washinghands,andcleaningthings.Thereareplentyofsoapsavailableinthemarket.Thesevaryaccordingtomanyfactorssuchasscent,size,form,purpose,price,andcleaningstrength.
Albeitthefactthatsoapsavailableinthemarketareinexpensive,manypeoplestillchoosetomaketheirownsoapsathome.Doingsohelpspractitionerscontroltheingredientstheyuse,savemoney,andhaveaneffectivecleaningbar.
Soapmakingiseasy.Anyonecandoit.Therearemanysoap-makingguidesavailableinbookstoresandonline.Itsingredientsareeasytofind,cheap,andsafetouse.Forthosewhowanttomakesoaps,theyjustneedtoknowtheessentialstepsandtechniquesinsoapmaking.
Todate,moreandmorehomemakersandentrepreneursalikearelearningthecraftofmakingsoap.Theymayhavedifferentreasonsinmakingsoaps,buttheyareafterthesamegoal,whichistomakeagood-smelling,highlyefficient,andsafebarofsoap.Theycanrealizetheirgoalsonlybylearningtherules,dosanddonts,andthetechniquesinsoapmaking.
ThiseBookdiscussestheessentialstepsandtechniquesinsoap-making.Ifyouwanttostartmakingsoapsforpersonalorbusinesspurposes,donotfretasthiseBookwillhelpyouget
-
startedandstayontherighttrackuntilyoufinallyachieveyoursoap-makinggoals.Readonandstartyourjourneytowardstheartofmakingsoaps.
-
Why Make Your Own Soap?
Soapmakingasacraftisincreasinginpopularityaroundtheworld.Therearemanygreatreasonswhypeoplefromallwalksoflifeprefertomaketheirownsoaps.Checkoutthedetailsbelowtoseehowbeneficialitisforyoutohavehomemadesoaps.
ItOffersHealthBenefits
NourishestheSkin.Itisnosecretthatcommerciallyproducedsoapscontainchemicalsandsubstancesthatcancauseskinirritationanddryness.Thesesubstancesaresodiumhydroxide,sodiumlaurylsulfate,potassiumhydroxide,sodiumlaurethsulfateandlyeandparabens.However,inmakingyourownsoap,youhavetheoptiontousenaturalingredientsthatcanhelpmoisturizeandhydrateyourskin.
HasHealingProperties.Makingyourownsoapdecreasesyourexposuretoharmfulchemicalsthatcanworsenskinconditionsyoumayalreadyhave.Youcanchoosenaturalingredientsthatcomefromtrees,flowers,herbs,andplants.Theseingredientshaveessentialoilsthatarenotjustfullofaromaticfragrancesbuthealingproperties,aswell.Theseingredientshelptreatskindisorderssuchaseczema,acne,andpsoriasis.
ContainsAntioxidants.Manypeopletakegoodcareoftheirskintolookgood.However,skincareisinvaluablenotjusttolookgoodbutalsotoincreaseourimmunity.Theskinisourfirstlineofdefense,anditissusceptibletoavarietyofriskscausedbytheweatherconditions,dehydration,harmfulsubstances,andinfections.Someessentialoilsusedinsoapmakinghaveantioxidantsthathelptheskinbecomeresistanttoassaultingagents.
ItIsRelativelyEasy
-
Soapmakingisaseasyasmakingpancakes.Thebasicstepsinmakingsoapsathomeareveryeasytofollow.Peoplehavebeenmakingsoapssincetimeimmemorial.Allyouhavetodoisbeopentothepossibilityofmakingsomemistakes.Onceyougetpastthetrialanderrorstage,youwillenjoytheentireprocessofmakinghomemadesoaps.
ItHelpsSaveMoney
Makingyourownsoapiscost-efficient.Thisisoneofthemajorreasonswhymanypeoplepreferhomemadesoaps.Commerciallyproducedsoapscostabout$2to$3,whiletheinexpensiveonesmaycontaincheapchemicalsthatareharmfultotheskin.Therearealotofinexpensiveandharmlessingredientsinsoapmakingtochoosefromifyoudecidetomaketheseathome.Whatsmoreisthatyoucanalsopurchaseingredientsbybulkasitischeaperthatway.Essentialoilsalsohavemultipleusessoyouwontendupwastinganyingredient.
YouCanUnravelYourArtisticAbilities
Soapmakinggivesyoutheopportunitytodiscoveryourgreatestpotential.Theworldwasleftinawewhensoapsthatlookedlikecandybarsandchocolateswerecreated.Youtoocanmakeyourownsoapmasterpieceandcomeupwithyourowndesigns.Youcanstartmakingsoapflowersandthenadvancetosomemorecomplicatedsoapdesigns.
SoapMakingIsFun
Theentiresoap-makingexperiencecanbeenjoyable,andyoucanmakeitaveryproductivepasttime.Sincethereareplentyofnaturalingredientsandsoapdesignsthatyoucanchoosefrom,itwillbeawholelotoffuntodiscoverwhichonesyoureallylike.Youcanalsoexperimentandcombinescentsandothernaturalingredients.Aftermakingyourownsoap,itcanbeextremelyrewardingtouseyourownmasterpiece.
ItOpensManyOpportunities
Learningtheartofmakingsoapsdirectsyoutomanyopportunities.Whenyoucanmakehighlyimpressivesoaps,youcanmakemoneyfromyourproducts.Youcancustomizesoapdesignsandscentstomeettheneedsofyourclients.Soapmakingalsogivesyouanopportunitytoletotherpeopleexperienceusinghomemadesoaps.Youcangivehigh-qualitysoapstoyourfriends,colleagues,andfamilymembers.Youcanevenpersuadeotherstousehealthyhomemadesoapsthancommerciallyproducedones.
Beforecommercialproductionofsoapstookplacecenturiesago,homemakerswerealreadyequippedwiththeskillsandknowledgeinmakingsoaps.Today,wecanalwaysgotothegrocerystoreandbuysoaps.However,weknowthatthereisanothergreatoptionthanbuyingacommerciallyproducedsoap,anditistomakeoneathome.
-
How Does Soap Work?
Soapmakingisahobbymanypeopleengagethemselvesinnowadays.Youcancombineessentialingredients,usedifferentdesigns,andmakesurethattheirsoapssmellgreat,lookappealing,andworkefficiently.However,beforeyoumakeanattempttomakesoap,youshouldfirstknowhowitworks.
HowSoapsWork
Soapscontainhydrophilicandhydrophobiccompounds.Hydrophiliccompoundsarewater-lovingwhilehydrophobiccompoundsarewater-hatingones.Forexample,oilishydrophobic,anditcannotmixwithwater.Fattyacids,whichmakeupsoaps,containachainofcarbon,hydrogen,andoxygenatoms.Oneendofthechainislipophilicandattractsoilswhiletheotherendishydrophilicandcanattachtowater.
Wateralonecanwashdirtontheskinsurface,butitcannoteliminateoilbuildup.Thisiswhyhumansneedtousesoapwhentakingabath.Whenweusesoap,themoleculeslipophilicendstakecareofremovingtheoilsandgreasefromtheskin.Whenwerinse,thehydrophilicendsgowiththewatermoleculestoremovetheimpurities.
TypesofSoapMaking
Beforestartingtomakesoaps,itisimportantthataspiringsoapmakersknowthetypesofsoapmaking.Belowarethetypesofsoapmakingavailable:
Meltandpour,alsocalledasglycerinorcastingsoap,thissoap-makingconceptwascreatedinthe1800sinthehopesoflettingconsumersperceivesoapasnatural.Thismethodinvolvesmeltingdownablockofsoap,addingcolorandscents,andthenpouringthemixtureina
-
mold.
Inthismethod,youwillneedthreeingredients,namelythesoapblock,scent,andcolor.Youneedtocutthesoapintochunkstomakeitmeltfast.
Handmilled,otherwiseknownasre-batchingsoap,itinvolvesusingpremadesoapscrapsandturningthemintoliquidform.Itaimsatmakinganaturalbarofsoapwithoutrequiringtheuseoflye.Itonlytakesafewhourstomakebutseveralweekstocure.
Coldprocess,thismethodinvolvesblendingfatssuchascoconutoil,lard,ortallowwithlye.Youcanalsouseoliveoilasanalternativeforcoconutoil.Thelyeshouldbedissolvedinwaterfirstbeforemixingitwiththefats.Saponification,achemicalreaction,takesplacewhentheingredientsaremixedtogether.Themixturethenbecomessoap.
Hotprocess,thissoapmakingprocessinvolvesplacingalltheingredientsinsidethepotonastovethatissettolowheat.Youthenneedtostirthemixturefrequentlyuntilitgoesthroughvariousstages.Oncethewaterinthemixturehasevaporated,youmaythenpouritinsidemolds.
Soap-MakingTipsandTricks
1.Ifyoudonotknowhowmuchsoapyouneed,thebestthingtodoistousewater.Fillthemoldwithwaterandthenuseameasuringcuptoseehowmuchamountofsoapsolutionyouneed.
2.Ifyouwanttoaddsomebotanicalsoradditives,youneedtoensurethatthesoapiscoolandthickenedslightly.Youcanthenaddtheingredientswhilestirringthemixture.Becarefulwhenaddingherbstoavoidmakingthesoapabrasive.
3.Ifyouwantyoursoaptolookmorefestive,youcanaddbitsfromothersoapsyouacquired.Itwillletyouproducesoapwithmulticoloredconfetti.Whiledoingthis,makesurethatyoucooltheliquidsoapfirstbeforepouringitoverthesmallersoapbit.Thisistoavoidthesmallpiecesfrommelting.
4.Onceyouhavealreadypouredsoapintoamoldandbeforeitcoolsdowncompletely,makesurethatyousprayrubbingalcoholoverthesoap.Ithelpseliminatethebubblesthatusuallyappearonthesurface.
5.Totakebettercareofyourmolds,youshouldensurethatthesearedryandclean.Avoidstoringrubberandplasticmoldsindirectsunlight.Instead,placetheminacool,darkplace.Inaddition,youshouldnotpourveryhotmixturesorplaceyourmoldsinsideamicrowavetopreventmoldsfromwarping.
6.Makesurethatyouavoidheatingorboilingmeltedsoapforalongperiodasitcanburnthemixture.Whenthesoapburns,itdiscolorsandemitsbadodor.
7.Bearinmindthatover-stirringcancauseexcessivesoapbubbles.Youneedtostirinacircularmotionandmakeoneortworotations.
8.Moldsmadefromzinc,tin,aluminum,untemperedglass,china,coloredplastic,andflimsyplasticarenotgoodtouse.Moldsmadefromuntemperedglassaresusceptibletobreakage.Metalmolds,ontheotherhand,maycorrode.
-
Awell-madesoapcanmakeyoufeelrelaxedandrefreshedafterabath.Youjustneedtorememberhowsoapsworkandwhatmaterialsoringredientsyouneedtomakeonethatisfragrant,skin-friendly,andefficient.
-
Different Types of Soaps
Soapsvaryaccordingtotheirusage,ingredients,purpose,texture,andotherfactors.Learnhowvarioussoapsdifferfromeachotherinthefollowingsection.
ColdProcessSoaps
Coldpresssoapsaremadefromscratch.Thesoap-makingprocessutilizesnoadditionalheat,thusthenamecold.However,thecoldprocesssoapmakinggeneratesheat.
HotProcessSoaps
Soapmakersapplyadditionalheattomakethissoaptype.Thechemicalreactionoccursfasterthantheprocessusedincoldprocesssoapmaking.Itissmoothertotouch,anditshardnessusuallydependsonfactorssuchastheamountofwater,oils,andothers.
Ready-MadeBaseSoaps
Thesearesoapsmadefromready-madesoapsratherthanfromscratch.Inmakingthissoaptype,youneedtomeltthebarsoapandaddcolor,scents,andotheringredients.Thelaststepistopourthemixtureintothemolds.
GlycerinSoaps
Glycerinistypicallyproducedwhileyouareintheprocessofmakingthesoap.Glycerin,whichisahumectantorwater-lovingsubstance,cansignificantlyhelpmoisturizetheskin.Glycerinsoapshavemorewaterandcanattractwaterinhumidconditions.
-
TransparentSoaps
Thesesoapscontainsomealcoholtochangethesoap-makingprocess.Thosewhomakethissoaptypeshouldusehightemperaturestoproduceatransparentproduct.Therearetransparentsoapsthatalsocontainglycerin.
KitchenSoaps
Therearetwokindsofkitchensoaps,namelythecleansersanddetergents.Cleanserscontainmildabrasivesandareformulatedtoremovesolidparticles,heavyoil,andstainsthatarehardtoremove.Dishdetergents,ontheotherhand,areformulatedtoeliminatetoughgreaseandsoliddirtparticles.
LaundrySoaps
Thesearebarsoapsthatcanremovesolidparticles,grease,anddirtfromclothes.Therearealsolaundrysoapsthatcomeinpowder,liquid,andgelforms.Beforelaundrysoapswereinvented,peopleusedsoapflakesinwashingclothes.
CleaningSoaps
Thesesoapsdonotcontainharshabrasives,andtheycancleansoilandgrease.Theyoftencontainsubstancesthatcankillbacteriaandgerms.
PersonalSoaps
Personalsoapscomeinmanyformsandhaveuniqueformulations.Theyarecreatedtomeetthespecifichygieneneedsofconsumers.Examplesofpersonalsoapsareantibacterialsoapsthatcanpreventbacteriafromspreadingaswellasbodyandhairsoaps.
NoveltySoaps
Noveltysoapscomeinvariousshapes,forms,andsizesjusttoattracttheirkidconsumers.Theyarenotjustmadetocleandirtbutalsotoamuseandentertainchildren.Thesesoapscanallurekidsandresembletoyssuchasarubberduck.
PerfumedSoaps
Thesesoapscontainperfumeandafewadditionalingredients.Perfumedsoapsmaybeindifferentformsordesignstocompetewithotherproductssuchasperfumeddeodorant.
GuestSoaps
Guestsoapsaresmallsoapsthathaveattractiveshapessuchasseashells,flowers,and
-
rounds.Theyaremadetobeusedbyguestsandareusuallyusedinhotelsandotherestablishments.
BeautySoaps
Thesesoapshaveveryattractivefragrances,andtheynormallycontainingredientsthataresuitableforavarietyofskintypes.Therearebeautysoapsavailableforpeoplewithoilyskin,sensitiveskin,orevendryskin.
MedicatedSoaps
Thesearesoapsthathavedisinfectantsandantiseptics.Thissoaptypeisbelievedtobebetterinkillingbacteriacomparedtotheregularsoapandwater.Medicatedsoapsarepopularinareaswheremicrobialcontaminationiscommon.
Soaptypesvaryaccordingtomanyfactors.Theycanrequiredifferentingredientsandmethods.Aspiringsoapmakersshouldseetoitthattheydotherightstepsinsoap-makingtoachievetheirgoals.
-
Molding Made Easy with Glycerin Soaps
Glycerinisfamousforitsmoisturizingproperties.Itisacolorlesscompoundandagoodsolvent.Additionally,itdissolveseasilyinwater.Whatmakesitmorepopularisthatitcanabsorbwaterfromtheatmosphere,andthismeansitcanhelphydrateyourskin.Glycerinisaby-productofsoapmadefromfatandlye.Manufacturersremoveglycerinfromsoapsanduseitinotherproductssuchaslotions.Manyaspiringsoapmakers,ontheotherhand,stilluseglycerin.
HowtoMakeGlycerinSoaps
BuySupplies.Glycerinisavailableincraftstores.Itcomesinsolid,soapbase,meltableblocks.Youcanalsomakeyourownglycerinifyouwant.However,itiseasiertobuyglycerinthanmakeit.Glycerincanbeclear,white,orsomeothercolor.Thesewouldlookalittletransparentregardlessofwhatcoloryouchoose.Asidefromglycerin,youalsoneedotheringredientsandmaterialssuchassoapmolds,essentialoils,andrubbingalcohol.
MelttheGlycerininaDoubleBoiler.Cuttheglycerinintochunkstomakethemeasiertomelt.Placethepiecesinadoubleboiler,addwater,andsettomediumheat.Makesurethatyoucontinueheatingthemixtureuntilglycerinmeltscompletely.Ifyoudonothaveadoubleboilerathome,youcanalsousetwopots.Makesurethatthesecondislargerthanthefirstpot.Pourthewaterintoalargepot,letthesmallpotfloat,andsettomediumheat.
StirtheEssentialOils.Bearinmindthatessentialoilsarehighlyconcentrated,soyouneedtoaddjustafewdropsofit.Youcanuseawoodenspooninstirring.Continuetostiruntiltheoiliscombinedwithglycerinthoroughly.Youmaythenremovethemixturefromtheheat.
PreparetheSoapMolds.Placepapertowelsunderneaththemolds,sprayrubbingalcohol
-
insidethesoapmolds,andcoattheareasinsidethem.Asmentionedinthepreviouschapter,alcoholpreventsbubblesfromdevelopingwhenthemixturecoolsanddries.Failuretousealcoholcanresulttoasoapthatisfullofbubbles.
PourtheSoap.Thenextstepistopourthemixtureintothemolds.Makesurethatyoufilleachmoldwithjustenoughsoapmixtureanddonotletitoverflow.Youcanuseafunnelintransferringthesoapmixturefromthedoubleboilertothemolds.Doitquicklyasthesoapcangetcoolbeforereachingthemolds.Youcanreheatthesoapmixtureifitgetstoocoldtopour.Spraythemixturewithmorealcoholafterpouringitintothemoldsforthesamereasondiscussedpreviously.
LetItCool.Allowthesoapmixturecooldownforacoupleofhours.Whentheyarecompletelyhard,youhavetoinvertthemoldandtapthebackuntilthesoappopsout.Storeglycerinsoapsproperly,preferablyinanair-tightcontainer.
Youcanchoosefromanextensivearrayofsoapmolds.Youcanalsostartbyusingjustarectangularmoldandbasicingredients.Lateron,youcanexperimentandimproveyoursoap-makingskills.
-
Soap-Making Ingredients & Supplies
Ifyouwanttolearntheartofmakingsoaps,whetherasahobbyorabusiness,youshouldmakecertainthatyouknowtheingredientsandsuppliesyouneed.Therearesoap-makingkitsavailableinthemarket,butitisbesttoknowdiscoverthebasicingredientsandsuppliesneededbyyourself.
Soap-MakingIngredients
Choosingtheingredientsmayrequireyoutoconsiderthesoap-makingprocessyouwillemploy.Theseprocessesarethemeltandpour,coldprocess,hotprocess,andre-batching.
LyeSodiumHydroxideLyeisanessentialingredientinsoapmaking.Itiscombinedwithoilorfattomakesoap.Youcancreatelyebymixingsodiumhydroxideflakeswithaliquid.Asmentionedinthepreviouschapters,thechemicalreactionproducedfromacombinationoflyeandoilsiscalledsaponification.Aftertheprocessofsaponification,soapismade.
WaterWaterisanotherimportantingredientinsoapmaking.Itdiluteslyecrystalsandservesasacarrierforthelye.Itisimportanttorememberthatchoosingthetypeofwatertouseisinvaluable.Youshouldnotusetapwaterasitusuallycontainsimpuritiesandmineralssuchasmagnesiumorcalciumaswellasorganicmaterials.Youneedtousepure,uncontaminatedrainwaterordistilledwaterinmakingsoaps.
Oils&FatsOilsandfatsareinvaluableinsoapmaking.Youneedtochoosetherightoilsandfatsasthey
-
cangreatlyinfluencetheresultsofyoursoap-makingactivity.Differentoilsandfatscanhavevaryingeffectsonthesoap.Checkoutthedetailsbelowtohaveanideaofhowcertainoilsandfatscanaffectyourresults.
Apricotkerneloilactsasthesoapsconditioningoilandisidealformassagebars.
Beeswaxaddshardnessandbeautifulscentstothesoap.
Cocoabutterhardenssoapandprovidesgorgeousmoisture.
Lardisnicelymoisturizingandveryeconomical.
Oliveoilisidealforallskintypes,makessoapbarshard,andisverymoisturizing.
Sweetalmondoilofferslow,stablelatherandisgoodinmoisturizing.
WheatgermoilhashighlevelsofvitaminEandantioxidantproperties.
Herbs,Flowers,&RootsHerbs,flowers,androotsarenormallyusedbythosewhowanttomakenaturalhomemadesoaps.Therearemanyoptionstochoosefrom,andyoucanpickoneaccordingtocolor.Forinstance,ifyouaremakingapinksoap,youcanusemadderroot,butifyouwantgoldenorange,youcanchoosecalendulapetals.Youcanuseherbsandflowerstodecorateyoursoap.Rootsarealsobeneficialformedicinalpurposes.
ColoringTherearenaturalwaysofaddingcolorstosoapssuchascocoabeanforbrown,paprikaforred,oralkanetrootforpurple.However,therearealsootheroptionssuchaspigments,FD&Ccolorants,andmicas.Pigments,whenusedinsoapmaking,arestable,andtheydonotchangethecolorsinsoap.FD&Ccolorantscomeinawidevarietyofcolors,andtheyarealsoeasytouse.MicascanbecoatedwithacombinationofpigmentsandFD&Ccolorants.
Soap-MakingSupplies
Soap-MakingScaleAsoap-makingscaleisanimportanttoolforsoapmakers.Therearemanyvarietiesavailabletoday.Youneedagoodscaletoweighyouringredientssuchasoils,fats,butter,andlye.Tofindtheperfectsoapscale,youneedtoconsiderfactorssuchasaccuracy,size,graduation,andunitofmeasurement.
SoapMoldsTheseareheat-resistantmoldsthatholdthesoapmixtureandgiveitshape.Therearemanytypesofmolds,andtheycomeinvaryingshapesandsizes.Soapmoldscomeinshapessuchasseashells,flowers,andfoodlikecookiesandbrownies.Youcanchoosetheplainmolds,
-
heavygrade,orevenplasticcontainers.Moldsonlycostabout$5to$10.Theyareavailableonlineoratlocalcraftstores.
Herearethesoapmoldoptionsthatyoucanchoosefrom:
WoodMolds.Woodisporous,andtheycanabsorboilsinthesoapmixture.Theyarenormallydurableandsturdyandareidealforcoldprocessorhotprocessmethods.Whenyoupurchasewoodmolds,makesurethattheycomewithasiliconeliner.
PlasticMolds.Plasticmoldsaregreatforsoapmaking.Thereisawidevarietyofplasticmoldsavailableinthemarket.Youcanalsousehouseholdplasticmoldssuchasrubbercontainers.Ifyouareplanningtoreusehouseholdplasticmolds,makesuretheyarecleanandfreefromfooddebris.
SiliconeMolds.Thesearemadefromflexiblematerialandareverypopularsoapmolds.
KitchenEquipment
Therearekitchentoolsthatyoucanuseinmakingsoaps.Youcanuseapottoheatthemixture.Measuringutensilsareessentialtohavetherightamountofingredients.Youmayalsoneedthermometers,bowls,spatula,spoons,andknives.
Thesearethemostbasicingredientsandsuppliesforsoapmaking.Itisinvaluablethatyouknowhowtousethesesuppliesandhowyoucanmakethemostoutofthemtocreatethebestsoaps.
-
All About Lye & Saponification
Lyeandsaponificationhavealreadybeenmentionedinthepreviouschapters.However,therearemanythingsthatyouneedtoknowaboutthem.Completelyunderstandingthetwowillhelpyoumakesoapefficiently.
WhatIsLye?
Thisisanalkalinechemicalusedinmakingsoapsandothercleaningagents.Alsoknownassodiumhydroxide,itisconsideredtobeadangerouscompound.However,despiteitsreputation,lyeisnotjustusedfordetergentsandcleanersbutalsotocurefoodsuchasgreenolivesandpretzels.Lyehasbeenusedasaningredientinsoapmakingformanycenturies.Peopleclaimthattoomuchlyecanirritateandburntheskin.However,youcannotmakesoapswithoutlye,andwhendonecorrectly,lyewillnotcauseanyharmfuleffects.
WhatIsSaponification?
Asdiscussedinthepreviouschapters,saponificationinvolvesthephysicalreactionbetweensodiumhydroxideorlyeandoils.Theproductsofthischemicalreactioncanbeglycerinorsoap.Althoughwaterispresent,itdoesnotjointhechemicalreaction.Thewordsaponificationalsomeanssoapmaking.ItoriginatesfromtheLatinwordsapo,whichmeanssoap.
WhatOilsandAlkalitoUse
Youneedtochoosetheoilproperlyasitcangreatlyinfluencetheoutcomeofyoursoapmakingactivity.Forinstance,coconutoilisverystable,makeshugebubblylather,andcreateslotsofglycerin.Ifyouwantacreamierlatherandnaturalantioxidants,thenyoucanchoose
-
oliveoil.Therearemanyoiloptionstochoosefromandyoucanchooseoneaccordingtohowyouwantyoursoaptobelike.
Youcanusepotassiumhydroxideforalkaliinmakingthesaponificationprocess.Potassiumhydroxideisidealforthosewhowanttomakesoftsoaporliquidsoap.Thosewhowanttomakebarsoapshouldchoosesodiumhydroxide.
LyeandSaponificationBeforeandNow
Recently,archaeologistsdiscoveredapapyrusscrollthatcontainsMesopotamianwritings.Itrevealedinstructionsonhowtomakelyesoapsusinganimalfatandalkalinesalts.LyesoapsareverypopularintheearlyAmericantimes.Theyusewaterandwoodashtoformalyesolution.Peopleduringthosetimesdidnothaveenoughknowledgeaboutsoapchemistry,andtheydidnotpracticetherightweighingandmeasuringtechniques.Theyperformedasaponificationprocessthatproducedskin-insensitivesoaps.Today,commerciallyproducedsoapshavesmallamountsofalkaliinthem.
Thesecretinminimizingthechanceofburningistosprinklethelyeintotheliquidinsidethecontainer.Mixinglyewithliquidinsomeotherwaycouldresulttofoamingthatcanalsocausesevereskinburns.
Lyeisanimportantpartofthesaponificationprocess.However,itcanproducechemicalburnswhentheskinisdirectlyexposedtoit.Itisimportantthatyoutakeprecautionsinusinglyewhilemakingthesoap.Whenusedproperly,youwillbeabletoachievetheresultsyoudesire.
-
Safety Issues You Need to Know
Anincreasingnumberofpeoplearoundtheworldaremakinghomemadesoaps.Theymakesoapsintheirbasements,kitchens,barns,andgarages.Someareexperiencedsoapmakerswhileothersarejustbeginners.However,regardlessoftheirsoap-makingskilllevels,theyneedtofollowsafetyrulesandpracticeprecautionsinmakingsoaps.Belowarethesafetyissuesandtipsthatyouneedtorememberwhendoingthecraft
SafetyIssuestoConsider
Thepresenceofchildrenandpetsisamajorfactorwhenconsideringsafetyissues.Thus,youshouldhaveanappropriatevenuetoperformsoap-makingactivities.
TipsforaSafeSoap-MakingExperience
SetSoap-MakingTimeSettingasoap-makingscheduleisessential,especiallyforthosewholivewithchildrenandpetsathome.Thesafesttimetomakesoapsiswhenthechildrenareinschoolorasleep.Justmakesurethatyourchildren,eveniftheyarealreadyteenagers,arenotneartheareawhereyoumakesoaps.Youshouldalsoensurethatifyouhavepets,yousecurethemoutofyourway.
FindtheBestSpotThebestplacetomakesoapsisinthekitchencounter,preferablynearthesink.Itwouldevenbebetterifthecounterisinbetweenthestoveandsinkandyourkitchenhasverygoodlighting.Ifitisnotpossibletobeclosetothesink,thenthenextoptionistousealargebucketasasink.Youcanalsosetupasoap-makingroomthatisawayfromyourfamilyandpetswhereyoucanstoreandlockyoursupplies.Makesurethatyoursoap-makingareaisclean
-
andfreefromunnecessaryappliancesandotherthings.Washthecounterwellandensurethatthereisnostandingwater.Youalsoneedtocleanthefloortoavoidaccidents.
GatherSoap-MakingSafetyItemsTherearesoap-makingsafetyitemsthatyoushouldalwayshavetoprotectyourselffromburnsandotherundesirableconsequences.Youneedtogetrubberglovesthatcanprotectyourhandsfromchemicalsandheat.Itmustmeasurehalfwaytoyourelbow.Safetyglassescanalsoprotectyoufromsplatters.Youcangotopharmaciesandgrocerystorestofindsafetyglasses.Anothersafetyitemisafullcanvasapronthatcanprotectyourclothingandskin.Getagoodpairofshoesandavoidmakingsoapswearingsandalsorinbarefeet.
PrepareAppleCiderVinegarGetacupandpourapplecidervinegar.Makesurethatthecupishalffullofthevinegarandplaceitwithinyourreach.Youcanusethevinegarinemergencysituationssuchaswhenthelyetouchesyourskin.Ithelpsneutralizethelyeespeciallywhenitisburningyourskin.
StoreandHandleLyeWiselyAsmentionedinthepreviouschapters,lyecanbedangerousifmishandledormisused.Makesurethatitisstoredinaplacewhereitisnotaccessibletochildren.Ifapersoninhalesevenjustitsdust,itcancauseaseriouslungdisease.Putitinacontainerandplaceitinastorageareathatotherscannotaccesseasily.
MixingYourLyeSolutionEveryaspiringsoapmakershouldunderstandthatventilationisinvaluableinmakingsoaps.Whilemixingthelyewithwater,itreleasestoxicfumesforabout5to10minutes.Youneedtomixthelyesolutionoutdoorsormakesurethattheareaisverywellventilated.Donotleavethesolutionunattended.Itisalsobesttowearamaskwhiledealingwithlyesincethechemicalcanburnyourlungs.Whenmeasuringandsprinklinglyeintothewater,youneedtoeitherwearamaskorholdyourbreath.
Lastly,youneedtocleanupallyoursuppliesafterusingthemespeciallythosethathavebeenusedinhandlinglye.Cleanallyourequipmentproperlyincludingtheentireworkarea.Moreimportantly,followtherightsoap-makingsteps.Itisimportanttobereadyforerrorsandaccidentsandknowwhattodowhentheyhappen.
-
Soap Making & Carrier Oils
Thepreviouschaptershavealreadydiscussedmanyimportantaspects,steps,andtopicsaboutsoapmaking.Thischapterwillteachyoutheprocessinwhichyoucanstartmakingyourfirstsoap.Youwillalsolearnaboutcarrieroilsintheendpartofthischapter.
StepsinSoapMaking
ChoosetheIngredients.Therearequiteanumberofingredientsavailableforsoapmaking.Youcanchooseaccordingtotherecipeyouuse.Onebasicrecipeinvolvestheuseofoliveoilformoisturizing,coconutoilforgoodlather,palmoilforafirmbar,Sheabutterformoisturizing,lye,andwater.Makesurethatyoucheckeveryrecipeyouuseandseetoitthatthereciperecommendstherightamountoflye.
Soap-MakingTools.Inadditiontothetoolspreviouslydiscussed,youcanalsouseastickblenderorimmersionblendertomakestirringextremelyeasy.Otherthingsthatyoumayneedarefreezerpaperandcardboardbox.Youcanusethefreezerpapertolinethesoapmoldandpreventthesoapfromsticking.Useacardboardboxwithasizethatcancoveryoursoapmold.
Soap-MakingProcess.Thefirstthingthatyouneedtodoismeasureyouringredients.Youmaythenmeltthesolidoilsoverlowheat.Thenextstepistomakethelyesolutionandmakesurethatyoupracticesafetyprecautionswhiledoingit.Youmaythencombinetheliquidoilswiththemeltedsolidoils.Letthelyesolutioncooldownandcheckitstemperature.Itshouldbeabout110degreesFahrenheit.Pourthelyesolutionintothepotwithoilsanduseastickblendertostir.Themixtureshouldnowlooklikeapancakebatter.
Addfragrancesandcolorsandpourthesoapbatterintothemold.Youcancutthesoapafter
-
24hoursandgiveittimetoageforweeks.Donotforgettocleanallyourtoolsproperlyafterusing.
WhatAreCarrierOils?
Nowthatyoualreadyhaveanideaabouthowtomakesoapsusingthebasicrecipe,itistimethatyoulearnaboutcarrieroils.Thisisoilobtainedfromseeds,nuts,kernels,orotherfattyportionoftheplant.Essentialoilscancauseseriousskinirritationtosomeindividualsifappliedundiluted.Carrieroilstakecareofdilutingessentialoilsandotherconcentratedaromatics.Theyarecalledassuchbecausetheyactasacarrierofessentialoilsontotheskin.
Carrieroilscanvaryaccordingtotheircharacteristicsandthetherapeuticpropertiestheyoffer.Youneedtochooseacarrieroilaccordingtothetherapeuticbenefitsitoffers.Therearemanyproductssuchaslipbalms,creams,bodyoils,naturallotions,andothermoisturizingskincareproductsthatusecarrieroils.
EssentialOilsversusCarrierOils
Whatmakesessentialoilsdifferentfromcarrieroilsisthattheyaredistilledfromthebark,roots,leaves,andotheraromaticportionsoftheplant.Theyhaveaconcentratedaromaandcanevaporate.Carrieroils,ontheotherhand,arederivedfromaplantsfattyportions.Theydonotevaporateandarenotaromaticlikeessentialoils.Theycangorancidovertimeunlikeessentialoilsthatoxidizes.Carrieroilsarealsofixedoils,vegetableoils,orbaseoils.
Carrieroilsareodorless,buttheycanalsohavenutty,sweetaroma.Examplesofvegetableoilsthatareusedasacarrieroilsaresweetalmondoil,apricotkerneloil,avocadooil,kukuinutoil,macadamianutoil,meadowfoamoil,borageseedoil,oliveoil,peanutoil,pecanoil,pomegranateseedoil,cranberryseedoil,eveningprimroseoil,rosehipoil,fractionatedcoconutoil,grapeseedoil,andmanyothers.
CarrierOilsandSoapMaking
Carrieroilscanaffectsoapsdifferently.Forinstance,lauricacidwhichispresentinpalmoilandcoconutoillatherswell,isverygoodatcleaning,andhardensthesoap.However,itcanalsodrytheskin.Linoleicacidinflaxseedoilandhempseedoilcanleaveasilkyfeelontheskin.Ricinoleicoil,whichispresentincastoroil,canmakeabarofsoapsofterandmoisturizetheskin.Italsoconditionstheskinandmakesagoodlather.
Whenshoppingforcarrieroilsmakesurethatyouconsidercertainfactors.Thesefactorsincludeprocessingmethod,nutrients,essentialfattyacids,price,color,aroma,viscosity,shelflife,absorption,andifitisorganicorconventional.
-
Using Essential Oils in Your Homemade Soap
Makingthebestsoapwouldnotbecompletewithoutessentialoils.Theseoilsarepopularfortheirnumerousbenefits,althoughmostpeopleutilizethemforaromatherapy.However,itisalsoanimportantingredientinsoapmakingasitprovidesnaturalscenttohomemadesoaps.Thischapterwilldiscusseverythingthatanaspiringsoapmakershouldknowaboutessentialoils.
WhatAreEssentialOils?
Essentialoilsareorganiccompoundsthatcanbefoundonseeds,flowers,barks,androotsofaplant.Theyarenottechnicallyoilsbutrathercomplexchemicalcompounds.Peopleusedifferentmethodstoextractthescentedparticlesfromplants.Everysoapmakershouldknowthatsomeessentialoilsarenotpure.Therearethosemixedwithoilsandsynthetics.Cheapoilsareexamplesofimpureessentialoils.
Thereareoilsthatprovidehighlyvolatilefirstflushofscentssuchasanise,basil,bay,Citronelle,eucalyptus,lemon,lime,mandarin,spearmint,tangerine,sweetbirch,andorangesweet.Therearealsothosewithscentsthattakelongertonoticesuchascatnip,blackpepper,chamomile,clarysage,clovesage,cinnamonleaf,nutmeg,oregano,neroli,andjasmine.Ifyouwantheavy,rich,andlong-lastingscents,youcanchoosefromcedarwood,oakmoss,benzoin,vanilla,sandalwood,rosewood,andylang-ylang.
EssentialOilsandTheirQualities
Essentialoilsarenotjustusedforthepurposeofaddingscentstothesoap.Theycanbeusedtoaddmorequalitiestothesoapthroughtheirantibacterialandotherproperties.Youmayrefertothesectionbelowinchoosingthebestessentialoilsuitableforyourneeds.
-
Acne.Ifyouarechoosingessentialoilsthatyoucanuseinmakinganti-acnesoaps,thenyoucanoptforchamomile,cedarwood,lavender,bergamot,lemon,rosemary,palmarosa,teatree,andclovebud.Otheranti-acneessentialoilstochoosefromaretangerine,thyme,sandalwood,spearmint,peppermint,andmandarin.
Antibacterial.Thebestessentialoilsforantibacterialsoapsareblackpepper,nutmeg,oregano,citronella,sweetmarjoram,pine,thyme,clarysage,sweetorange,andPerubalsam.
Antiseptic.Ifyouarelookingforoilswithantisepticproperties,youcanchoosefromginger,jasmine,eucalyptus,bergamot,spearmint,petitgrain,basil,fennel,bergamot,vetiver,myrrh,andgrapefruitoils.
SkinConditions.Ifyouhavedryskin,youcanmakesoapthatcontainsPerubalsam,frankincense,rosewood,lavender,jasmine,orchamomile.Forthosewhoaresufferingfromeczema,theyshouldmakeasoapthathaspalmarosa,peppermint,rose,lavender,cedarwood,andmyrrh.
InsectBitesandRepellents.Thosewhowanttohealinsectbitesshouldmakesoapswithteatree,bergamot,chamomile,cinnamon,lemon,eucalyptus,andylang-ylang.Forinsectrepellentsoaps,youcanchooselemon,citronella,pine,sandalwood,Norwood,cinnamonleaf,andgeranium.
HowtoUseEssentialOilsforSoapmaking
1.Thefirstthingthatyouneedtodoisknowhowtochoosethebestcombinationsofessentialoils.Youcanpurchaseatleastfiveessentialoilsandmakesurethattheonesyouchooseblendwellwitheachother.Herearethebestessentialoilcombinations:
Patchouli,sandalwood,andcedar Blackpepper,neroli,geranium,andylang-ylang Courmain,oakmoss,andlavender Cinnamon,tonkabean,andvanilla Rose,civet,amber,andbergamot
2.Findanemptybottleanduseittostoreyourblend.3.Thenextstepistoexperimentandcreateyourownrecipes.Ifyouwantafeelgood
blend,youcancombinerosegeranium,blackpepper,palmarosa,andneroli.Forarescueblend,youcancombineessentialoilssuchasmyrrh,frankincense,lavender,andelemi.
4.Onceyoualreadyhavetheessentialoilblend,youcanstoreitinabottle.Youneedtotightenthelidandplacethebottleinadarkplaceforaboutoneweek.Duringthisspanoftime,theoilswillstartblending,sodonotopenthebottleandstirityourself.
5.Afteroneweek,youcanaddtheessentialoiltoyoursoapbatter.Youcanaddtwotothreedropsofessentialoil.
Youcanpurchaseessentialoilsatgrocerystores,localcraftstores,andevenonline.Youjustneedtomakesurethatyouchoosepureessentialoilsastheyarehealthierandmoreeffective
-
options.
-
Basic Soap Recipes for Beginners
Oneofthebestthingsaboutsoapmakingisthattherearethousandsofsoaprecipestotry,andthisisespeciallyhelpfulforbeginners.Therecipesinthenextsectionrequiresimpleingredientsandsuppliesforsoapmaking.
Knowhowtocreateyourownsoapandenjoytheexperienceoflearning!
Basic4-OilRecipe
Itcantakeyouonehourtopreparethissoap.Youneedtohavethefourmajoringredients,namelypalmoil,coconutoil,oliveoil,andcastoroil.Likeothersoaprecipes,youwillalsoneedlyewaterandfragranceoiltomakethissoap.Youneedtofollowthesamebasicsoap-makingstepsforthisrecipe.Afterpouringthesoapmixtureintothemold,youneedtoletitcooloffandhardenbywaitingfor12to24hours.Youmaythenremovethesoapfromthemoldandwaitforabouttwotofourweekstoletitcure.
PumpkinSoapRecipe
Forthisrecipe,youwillbeneedingoliveoil,coconutoil,sunfloweroil,water,andlye.Youneedtousethecoldprocessmethodinmakingthissoap.Itiswisetopurchase100%sodiumhydroxideaslye.Youcanalsoaddpumpkinpureewhetheritishomemadeorcanned.Youcanalsoaddannattoseedpowdertoachieveamoreorangecoloronyoursoap.
HomemadeLavenderSoap
Thisisaneasylavendersoaprecipe,andthereareonlyafewingredientsinvolvedinmakingit.Youneedcubesofgoatsmilksoap,whichyouwillhavetomeltoverlowtomediumheat.
-
Whenthecubeshaveturnedintoliquid,youcanaddafewdropsoflavenderextract.Youalsoneedtoaddsomelavenderandcolorant.Stirthesoapbatterandpourintothemold.
LemonGrass&OliveOilSoapBars
Youneedtohaveingredientssuchasannattoseeds,oliveoil,lemongrassfragranceoil,andoliveoilmeltandpoursoapbase.Youneedtosimmertheoliveoilandannattoseedsoverlowheat.Microwavetheoliveoilmeltandpoursoapbaseuntilitmelts.Combinetheliquidsandaddthelemongrassfragrance.Youcancontinuebypouringthebatterintothemoldandletitcure.
GardenMintSoapRecipe
Thissoapcanhelprefreshyoursenseandsootheskinirritations.Prepareingredientssuchasavocadooil,coconutoil,oliveoil,castoroil,mangobutter,lye,andmint-infusedwater.Youcanusefreshordriedmint.Therearevarietiesofmintstochoosefromsuchasapplemint,pineapplemint,spearmint,andorangemint.Youneedtousethecoldprocessmethodinmakingthissoap.
CoconutOilSoap
Youneedcoconutoil,lye,water,andessentialoilsforthisrecipe.Youneedequipmentsuchasacrockpot,stickblender,digitalscale,athermometer,glassmeasuringcups,smallglassbowls,plasticspoon,bowl,mold,andrubberspatula.Itisessentialtouseadigitalscaleinweighingtheingredients.YoucanalsouseapHstriptoseeifthesoapbatterisreadyforthemold.Thesoapbattershouldalsolooklikesemi-translucentVaselinewithoutoilpuddlesinthemiddle.
ChamomileColdProcessSoapRecipe
Astherecipenameindicates,thissoapneedstobedoneusingthecoldpressmethod.Theingredientsneededarecanolaoil,chamomile-infusedoliveoil,coconutoil,palmoil,ricebranoil,lye,distilledwater,chamomiletea,andchamomilebuds.Followthecoldprocessmethodandusetheingredients.Youcanaddsomechamomileessentialoilstothesoapbatterifyouwantmorescent.
AloeVeraSoapRecipe
Forthisrecipe,youwillneedingredientssuchasoliveoil,coconutoil,lard,sheabutter,aloegelandwaterpuree,lye,andwater.Youcanfollowthestandardproceduresforsoapmakingwiththisrecipe.Useonlythealoeveragelandskiptheleaves.Afterpouringthebatterintothemold,youcanletitsitfor2daysandcureforabout4weeks.
AcneSoapRecipes
-
Therearehealingingredientsthatareidealforacnesoaps.Youcanchoosekokumbutterandoilssuchascoconutoil,hazelnutoil,emuoil,extravirginoliveoil,jojobaoil,andneemoil.Therearealsoanti-acneoilssuchasteatree,lavender,helichrysum,galbanum,andthymelinalool.Forhydrosols,youcanchooseclove,helichrysum,frankincense,cornflower,andwitchhazel.Theherbsandextractsthatalsocontainhealingpropertiesincludewhitewillowbark,blackwillowbark,neem,tomatopowder,jaborandileaf,orstrawberryleaf.
BeeswaxSoapRecipe
Prepareingredientssuchascanolaoil,almondoil,coconutoil,oliveoil,soybeanoil,beeswax,lye,water,andhoney.Thisrecipeiseasytofollowasyouonlyneedtoheatoils,addbeeswax,andletthemixturecool.Youjustneedtofollowthestandardsoap-makingstepsinmakingthebeeswaxsoap.
TeaTreeSoapRecipe
Teatreehashighlevelsofmedicinalproperties,anditisagreatingredientforsoapmaking.Itisantibacterial,antiseptic,andantifungal,whichmakesitidealforthosewhosufferfromoilyskin,psoriasis,oracne.Youneedtoprepareingredientssuchascoconutoil,oliveoil,sweetalmondoil,avocadooil,water,andlye.Theseingredientscanhelpyoumakeaconditioningandcleansingbar.
CastileSoapRecipe
Theingredientsneededforthisrecipeareoliveoil,coconutoil,palmoil,coldwater,fragranceoils,andlye.Theseingredientscanhelpyoumakeamild,puresoapespeciallyifyouareabeginner.Youneedtousethecoldprocessmethodinmakingthissoap.Youcanalsotopyoursoapwithcolorfulherbsandflowers.
Thesearejustsomeofthethousandsofsoaprecipesavailableforyou.Onceyouhavealreadymasteredallthesoap-makingmethods,youcanexperimentandtryonotheringredients.Youcanmakesoapsthatcansatisfyyouandyourfamilysneeds.
-
Conclusion
Manysuccessfulprofessionals,whohavestableemploymentandincome,quittheirjobstobecomeasoapmaker.Therearequiteanumberofhousewiveswhochoosetomaketheirownsoapsinsteadofbuyingfromthegrocerystores.Soapmakingisaninterestinghobbyandbusiness.Determinationandhardworkarethekeystosucceedinmakingthebest-smelling,highlyefficient,andsafe-to-usesoaps.
Youcanstartbybuyingsoap-makingkitsastheynormallyhavethepremeasuredingredientsthatarereadytouse.Youcanalsopurchasetheingredientsonyourown,followthesoap-makingsteps,andstartexperimenting.Ifyouareinterestedinmakingsoapproductionyourlong-termhobbyorbusiness,thenyouneedtofindwaystoimproveyourskills.Doingsowillhelpyoumakeyoursoap-makingexperienceenjoyableandrewarding.
Rememberthesafetyprecautionsinmakingsoapsaswellasthetipsonthebestingredientstouse.Bearinmindthatyouwillusethesoapforyourskin,anditisonlyrightthatyouchoosethehealthiestingredientsavailable.Findthemostreliablestorestopurchaseyouringredients.Askpeopleandseekrecommendationsabouthowyoucanimproveyoursoap-makingskills.
Soapmakingdoesnotjustrequireyoutohavealltheingredientsandsuppliesneeded.Youalsoneedtodevelopyourconfidenceandcreativityskills.Beconfidentinexperimentingandexploringyourskills.Thiscansignificantlyhelpyoucreatebeautifulandefficientsoaps.
-
########
Congratulations! You made it to the end of the book!
If you enjoyed this book, I hope you will go over to Amazon again and leave a review.
Thank you for your time and I hope you learned something!
-
About the Author
Shepridesherselfinbeingafunandfrugalmom.Shelovestheoutdoorsandmakingahugemesswhileshecookswithherchildren.
Emma'shobbiesrangefromcouponingtocraftsandshelovesthethrillofsavingmoneywhenevershecan.
HerhusbandandchildrenliveahappyandslightlyhecticlifeattimeswiththeirtwoGoldenRetrieversandaparrotnamedPetey.
-
Additional Resources
Simple Family Vacation Planning
Money Saving Tips and Recipes for the Frugal Homemaker
Travel Like a Minimalist
Budget-Friendly Romantic Dates
Eating an Organic Diet on a Frugal Budget
Couponing 101: Simple Tips for Saving BIG
The BEST Holiday Cooking Recipes: Easy Party Recipes for Special Occasions
-
Acknowledgements
A big thank you to all the wonderful photographers whose shared images brought thisbook to life:
- tatlin
- geralt
- csiszarandrea
- PublicDomainPictures
- Judi
- aromaspati Pequena fabric
- katesfishcamp
- Edvard Tam
- Erin
- inspireexpressmiami
IntroductionWhy Make Your Own Soap?How Does Soap Work?Different Types of SoapMolding Made Easy with Glycerin SoapsSoap Making Ingredients & SuppliesAll About Lye & SaponificationSafety Issues You Need to KnowSoap Making & Carrier OilsUsing Essential Oils in Your Homemade SoapBasic Soap Recipes for BeginnersConclusionAbout the AuthorAdditional ResourcesAcknowledgements