Table Of ContentCopyright © 2020 by Carol Varney
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CONTENTS
Introduction
1. Soap Making: First Steps
2. The Cold Process & Recipes
3. The Hot Process & Recipes
4. The Melt & Pour Soap Process & Recipes
5. Beginner Recipes
6. More Advanced Recipes
7. Variety Homemade Soap
8. Storage for Handmade Soap
9. Glossary of Terminology
Conclusion
INTRODUCTION
Congratulations on purchasing Soap Making, and thank you for doing so. The
earliest recipe for soap dates back to the Babylonian Empire but was only
used for medicinal and cleaning purposes.
The following chapters will discuss the mold and pour process, cold process,
and hot process used to make homemade soap. It comes down to personal
preference. The hot and cold process both start with the same process where
you use a lye and water solution. The next phase will combine the
concentration with oils to begin the process of saponification. The final stage
is where the additives are mixed in, and the mixture is poured into a mold.
The hot process used in soap making provides a soap that is ready to use
immediately. However, it will last much longer if you allow it to harden for at
least one week. It will take four to six weeks for cold process soap to
completely saponify and become shelf-ready.
You will soon discover a fantastic way to be creative for yourself and your
family. Get the children involved and let them choose the additions of oils,
fragrances, and other additives. It will provide them with a feeling of
accomplishment that will be carried forward.
SOAP MAKING: FIRST STEPS
S fun and very useful to save you tons of money. This
OAP MAKING CAN BE
segment will include the necessary steps for you to get started.
Get the right equipment.
Purchase the ingredients needed.
Select the desired oils.
Calculate the amount of lye & water.
Prepare the space.
Get yourself ready to work.
Prepare the ingredients.
Make the lye solution.
Prepare all of the ingredients & materials.
Mix & melt the oils.
Measure all other ingredients.
our Methods for Making Soap
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The following chapters will further explain the process of making soap.
old Process: The cold process involves mixing lye (sodium hydroxide) with
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water, and mixing it with fatty oils, natural colorants such as clay, and
essential oils. It is the most popular method of making soap from scratch,
where the fatty acids in oils are broken down by the lye.
elt and Pour: This is a ready-made soap base compound composed of
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glycerin, fatty acids, and other natural ingredients. The process
involves melting premade blocks of soap and adding your desired fragrance.
The base is produced using a saponification process, mixing fats with an
alkali, such as lye.
ot Process: This process is a variation of the cold process, whereas
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you begin saponification and add the mixture to a double boiler or
crockpot. The addition of heat will speed the process.
ebatching: You are essentially ‘bringing life’ to soap that has already
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been produced. You grate, melt, and add in additional fragrances,
colors, or additives. You can use milk or water and re-blending/recycle them.
These are a few suggestions:
Cocoa Soap: Melt a basic soap bar or one made with cocoa butter.
Spoon in a portion of pure cocoa butter, not too much, or your
finished product will be too oily. Add a liquid such as milk or water.
Once the soap is melted, stir in cocoa powder and a chocolate-scented
fragrance.
Goat’s Milk Oatmeal Soap: Mill bars that are made with a simple,
lightly colored base or out of goat milk. Add goat's milk to melt-
down. Once the soap is viscous enough to add ingredients, stir in
oatmeal and, if desired, fragrance oil. Consider a honey-scented
fragrance - not pure honey.
Green Tea Soap: Grate a bar that has no fragrance and lightly
colored. Add brewed green tea as your liquid. Once the soap has
melted, add a spoonful or two of matcha powder and perhaps a “green
tea” fragrance oil from a soap making supplier.
xperiment with additives. Unlike cold process soap, which may cause
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certain ingredients to burn or turn volatile, melt and pour, and rebatched
soaps allow you to add simple products safely. There are more recipes in the
beginner section.
oap Making Equipment & Safety
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Before you start making your first batch of soap, it’s essential to have all
of the equipment you will need. You want to be ensured you are safely
mixing the required chemicals and fragrances. This segment is designed so
you can acquire the basics.
ssential Safety Equipment
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Rubber Gloves: It is vital to protect your skin from the raw caustic
lye soap mixture. You can purchase the kitchen-type rubber gloves
that cover your arm to the elbow, but they are quite bulky. Consider a
glove that is without bulkiness, such as a thinner version of latex or
nitrile.
Safety Goggles: Regular glasses are not sufficient protection from the
raw soap mixture. The lye can create an alkali burn, which is
extremely dangerous for your eyes. If you wear regular eyeglasses,
you must be sure to purchase a pair of goggles that will easily fit over
them from all sides.
Adequate Clothing Coverage: Please don’t prepare the soap in a
pair of shorts or flip flops. At all times, it is imperative to wear
protective clothing, including close-toed shoes and a long-sleeved
shirt with a pair of jeans or other type of long pants.
Paper Mask: Wearing this type of mask is optional. However, it is an
additional method that can help protect your face and reduce the
hazard from the lye fumes. It is especially vital if you are preparing
soap in large batches or if you are sensitive to lye fumes. Pick up a
batch of paper masks and be on the safe side of your experience.
ssential Equipment For Soap Making
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Equipment used for soapmaking should never be reused for food prep or
storage. Fragrance particles and lye can become ingrained in the cracks, even
if it has been thoroughly washed. It is also recommended to hand wash the
items used instead of using a dishwasher.
Measuring Scale
Purchase a scale that is capable of measuring in ounces, pounds, and grams.
It should also extend to 1/10th place. For accuracy, most soap recipes are
measured by weight -not volume. Walmart has one which fits the bill for less
than $20. Many recipes will delegate the measurement in ounces, whereas
others may have them in grams. The electronic scale can do the math for you!
Soap Mold
The options for molds are plentiful. You can choose from silicone, wood, or
plastic. Each has its pros and cons.
Silicone Molds: Using this type of mold is simple to use, unmold,
and clean, making them an excellent option for beginners and
advanced crafters. However, some pros believe the mold takes a bit
longer to unmold, and the soap can speckle with bubbles if the soap
overheats.
Wood Molds: If you have a large batch, a wooden mold is your best
choice. The wood type box makes it easier to force the gel phase and
is cost-effective and sturdy. However, you will need to line the
container with a layer of freezer paper or use a silicone liner to avoid
the soap from sticking to the mold. Wooden molds will last for years
with proper care and storage.
Plastic Molds: The molds are available in a variety of designs and
shapes. They are excellent for small - professional looking bars. The
plastic-type molds can be difficult to unmold, requiring more time
and are also prone to soda ash, which makes it more challenging to
use in the production of larger batches. It’s recommended to have a
recipe with sodium lactate and plenty of hard oils to ensure the bars
will come out quickly and cleanly.
Stainless-Steel Pot With A Lid: It is essential for melting your oils to
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use a stainless-steel material for the pot. If your pot comes in contact with
lye, metals including Teflon, the lye can eat away its coating. It can also
become dangerous when you are preparing the soap.
Quick-Reading Thermometer. Purchase a high-quality tester such as
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one sold at Home Depot.
tick Blender: This is an optional item, but it will make the process
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quicker. It may seem a bit unnecessary, but it will prepare the soap in
one to two minutes versus other methods, which could take hours.
iscellaneous Equipment:
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A Few Mixing Containers: Purchase either stainless steel or pyrex.
It is recommended to use heat-safe plastic, stainless steel, or glass
bowls. Never use aluminum, since it can create toxic fumes when
combined with the lye.
A Mixing Spoon & Whisk: Purchase these items to use exclusively.
Silicone Spoons & Spatulas: Using this type of spoon/spatula will
allow you to remove all of the soap from the preparation container
and into the prepared mold. You can also use them to create a smooth
texture over the top of the final soap product.
Small Measuring Cups Or Beakers: You will need unique
containers to hold your colors, fragrances, or other additions.
Pitchers: Plastic or glass heat-resistant pitchers (2) with lids are a
useful item for the candle making process.
Cutting Board: Cover the board with parchment paper or plastic
wrap. Use a special board for soap making with the wrap of choice.
Rubbing Alcohol in Spray Bottle: It is vital to keep the surfaces
used clean to prevent any cross-contamination.
lean-Up & Protection Essentials
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