Relevance with Soap
All About Soap Making: Basic Soap Making
Many areas of misunderstanding exist with regard to soap making. I am often asked “do I have to use lye?” “just how dangerous is lye?” and “will soap making save me money?” “can I really make soap and sell it for a profit?” these and many more questions arrive in my inbox on a daily basis, making it clear to me the extent of misinformation that exists where soap making is concerned.
There are really only two soap making techniques, cold process and hot process. Other techniques referred to as melt and pour and rebatching, are not actually soap making at all, instead they involve melting previously made soaps back to liquid form, then adding fragrance and color, maybe some herbs and grains and then allowing to set again.
Soapmaking Recipes - What Goes Into A Good One?
Almost any combination of oils can make a soap, but what really goes into the thought process behind making a genuinely skin friendly soap? That's a difficult question to answer because there are many right answers. Every soapmaker has a different style and people in general have varying skin types. What one person can't stand another might fall in love with. But whether a soap recipe was passed on from generation to generation, just tossed together in experimentation until someone stuck to it, or someone carefully strategized the recipe from a scientific standpoint- all soap recipes have a definite chemistry that makes them what they can become behind the curtains. This is not meant to be a “how to” on the soapmaking process for those interested in the craft of soapmaking, but rather a general guideline of considerations that can come into play when deciding what to use in recipe formulation. I think many be surprised at exactly how much science is really behind it and might help give a little extra appreciation for all quality soapmakers. If you're just beginning soapmaking yourself you may find this useful to have another soapmaker's ideas and insights.
Soap Making For Beginners - Melt And Pour Process
As you will learn, soap making can be simple or complex. Some people enjoy the challenge of going all out professionally, which is fine. However, other people simply want to make soap for personal use or to give as an occasional gift.
Keep in mind that safety precautions should still be followed because soap becomes dangerously hot when melted, regardless of the skill level involved. Here, we will discuss easy melt and pour techniques, perfect for the novice or skilled soap maker!
How To Make Glycerin Soap
Soapmaking beginners often wonder how to make glycerin soap, but for a beginner, trying to make glycerin soap from scratch can be a tricky business. Many soapers get round this by using a glycerin soap base, which can either be bought from soap making suppliers. Glycerin is produced during the saponification process in soap making, giving the soap its conditioning feeling. Most commercial soaps have had the glycerin removed, which is then used separately for other products.
It is of course possible to make clear (glycerin) soap from scratch, and more experienced soapers enjoy the challenge of learning how to make glycerin soap. The method of making glyerin soap begins with the same techniques as cold process soap making, using a lye and water mixture, with fats and oils. To make glycerin soap, the addition of alcohol and sugar is required. The alcohol needs to have a very high proof, so while some soap crafters use rubbing oil, many prefer the drinking type, namely vodka, as it usually has a higher alcohol concentration.
Soap Making for Beginners — Melt and Pour
Soap making has been around for ages. The process of making soaps can either be simple or complex, depending on what you want to make. You can make soaps as a way to make money or you can make soaps for personal use or as gifts.
Keep in mind that soap making can be dangerous, as soaps become very hot when melted during the melt and pour soap making process. Soap making should be fun and entertaining, but it is also important to practice all necessary safety precautions when making soaps.