Learn About Making Soaps

First a little history on soap making. Soap was made in Colonial time using potash and pearlash. These are forms of potassium alkali present in plant and wood material. These potash and pearlash soaps were used by everyone from the reigning monarchs to the peasants, who made their own soap from the waste fats and ashes they saved. Here in the US, the early settlers made their own soap as an annual or semiannual event. Waste cooking grease and ashes from their fires were saved all during the year and made into primitive soaps that were used for cleaning their clothes and taking baths.

These soaps were harsh and greasy. The handmade soaps we are seeing and making now are possible because of the choice of ingredients we use. Choosing quality oils and adding your own favorite fragrances from essential oils make your soaps a luxurious treat for your skin.

There are four basic methods of soap making at home -

Melt and Pour - method uses pre-made blocks of glycerin soap. This is melted then fragrance is added and poured into molds. This is by far the simplest way to get started making soaps. You can add coloring, and even imbed items into the soaps making these a fun gift for children to encourage them to wash their hands.

Cold Process - This is probably the most popular method. This process uses oils and lye to make soap. The oil is heated to approximately 100 degrees then a lye-water mixture is added and blended until the soap thickens. Then fragrance is added and the mixture is poured into molds to set. This soap takes about 24 hours to harden and about four weeks to cure before it can be used.

Hot Process - This method is the closest to the soap made by our early settlers. An oil and lye mixture is cooked to about 250 degrees and must be tended and not left. It should only be tried by an experienced soap maker.

Rebatching - This is a simple process of grinding up soaps made using the cold process method. After the soap has fully hardened, grate it into small pieces and melt in the microwave. When the soap has liquified, add essential oils and/or coloring then pour into molds to harden. Remove the soap from the mold and place on a rack to cure.

These methods can be used to make those wonderful, luxurious soaps for your own use or they make wonderful gifts. Add these soaps into a wonderful spa gift basket. Include some lotions and maybe a loofa and this becomes a serene, relaxing experience for a special person.

Here is a guide to making soap that will be gentle on your skin, without using harmful chemicals and ingredients. A guide to making soaps as gifts right from your own home.

Some of the secrets you will learn:
- The best vegetable oils to use for specific types of lathering and hardness of your bars
- A shopping guide for easy-to-find additives to jump start your first batch
- The best places to find your soapmaking hardware
and much more. Click on the link below for more information.

Soap Making Made Simple!

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