Homemade gifts and homesteading have made it popular to make ones own products, often for a much lower price. There is also the drive to "go green" and make products yourself so you can be sure what is in it and that there is no waste or preservatives. Coconut oil soaps meets all these needs. Though there are several recipes and several methods for making it, they are all similar.
Soap is simply a mixture of fats, lye, and scents and colors as desired. The differences in these ingredients are what makes the differences. The higher the fat content, with a superfat of 20%, gives a mild, conditioning soap. Although any fat can be used, the higher fats are desired. Coconut fat is the best of all. Other fats should come as close to that percentage as possible.
Due to the handling of hot oils, and lye, which is dangerous for skin damage, making soap is not to be taken lightly. It must be approached with care, taking recommended procedures. Gloves, though not necessary, are a good idea in pouring hot oils and in mixing the lye and oils. A good thermometer, and a special scale designed for accurately weighing the oils, are a good idea.
To make clean up easier, and to enjoy the art of soap making, it is recommended that the materials and equipment be reserved for that chore alone. It is safe to reuse the tools if they are washed up well, but it is difficult to have to do that. Since most materials can be found cheaply at thrift or yard sales, it is better to just buy a set for you use. It is easier to just grab your stuff up and put it in the crock pot or bowl and store them until the next time.
Essential tools include a stainless steel pot or crock pot. And old electric crock pot is excellent. A digital scale is needed to weigh the ingredients so as not to make the soap too oily or too harsh. Glass or plastic cups and bowls are needed to divide the oils and heat them to a certain temperature and hold them. A stick blender is safest for mixing the lye and oils. A metal and a wooden spoon and a rubber spatula are also needed. Some sort of soap mold, or waxed cardboard cartons such as milk comes in. Beautiful, decorative silicon molds are a great added tool, but not required.
Safety measures require gloves and safety eyewear. Lye is very caustic and in the case of a spill or splash are very dangerous. A large bottle of white vinegar should be kept near at hand to neutralize any spills. Due to the safety concerns, it is not recommended that children undertake this hobby, though with strict supervision and responsible behavior, it is possible.
Colors and scents make your soap uniquely yours. Essential oils can be added for scent as well. Pale colors are best because you don't want to have to add a large amount of dye because it may change the consistency of the soap. The same is true for scents. In addition, a strong scent can be irritating to the skin, and strong scents may be offensive to some.
Soap making is a very enjoyable hobby which is inexpensive and doesn't require much to pursue it in the way of tools and equipment. The oils, also, are very inexpensive. All tools and equipment are reusable and the colors and scents are a negligible amount. Even the silicon molds are relatively inexpensive, and can be added one at a time as funds become available.
Soap is simply a mixture of fats, lye, and scents and colors as desired. The differences in these ingredients are what makes the differences. The higher the fat content, with a superfat of 20%, gives a mild, conditioning soap. Although any fat can be used, the higher fats are desired. Coconut fat is the best of all. Other fats should come as close to that percentage as possible.
Due to the handling of hot oils, and lye, which is dangerous for skin damage, making soap is not to be taken lightly. It must be approached with care, taking recommended procedures. Gloves, though not necessary, are a good idea in pouring hot oils and in mixing the lye and oils. A good thermometer, and a special scale designed for accurately weighing the oils, are a good idea.
To make clean up easier, and to enjoy the art of soap making, it is recommended that the materials and equipment be reserved for that chore alone. It is safe to reuse the tools if they are washed up well, but it is difficult to have to do that. Since most materials can be found cheaply at thrift or yard sales, it is better to just buy a set for you use. It is easier to just grab your stuff up and put it in the crock pot or bowl and store them until the next time.
Essential tools include a stainless steel pot or crock pot. And old electric crock pot is excellent. A digital scale is needed to weigh the ingredients so as not to make the soap too oily or too harsh. Glass or plastic cups and bowls are needed to divide the oils and heat them to a certain temperature and hold them. A stick blender is safest for mixing the lye and oils. A metal and a wooden spoon and a rubber spatula are also needed. Some sort of soap mold, or waxed cardboard cartons such as milk comes in. Beautiful, decorative silicon molds are a great added tool, but not required.
Safety measures require gloves and safety eyewear. Lye is very caustic and in the case of a spill or splash are very dangerous. A large bottle of white vinegar should be kept near at hand to neutralize any spills. Due to the safety concerns, it is not recommended that children undertake this hobby, though with strict supervision and responsible behavior, it is possible.
Colors and scents make your soap uniquely yours. Essential oils can be added for scent as well. Pale colors are best because you don't want to have to add a large amount of dye because it may change the consistency of the soap. The same is true for scents. In addition, a strong scent can be irritating to the skin, and strong scents may be offensive to some.
Soap making is a very enjoyable hobby which is inexpensive and doesn't require much to pursue it in the way of tools and equipment. The oils, also, are very inexpensive. All tools and equipment are reusable and the colors and scents are a negligible amount. Even the silicon molds are relatively inexpensive, and can be added one at a time as funds become available.
About the Author:
Get an overview of the things to consider when purchasing soap and view our selection of coconut oil soaps at http://www.ascsoapworks.com/blog/coconut-oil-in-soaps now.
No comments:
Post a Comment