The Perfect Homemade Natural Soap
Are you worried about your budget? Has the stress and strain of today's world given you some skin problems? Maybe this is the time for you to try making homemade natural soap.
No, do not panic...
it is nothing like the old days when soap making was more of a nightmare than a hobby or challenge.
Cold process soap making is the quicker and simpler way to go, though it does require a longer time...
three to four weeks...
to cure.
The curing is necessary, because that is when the soap becomes milder and more neutral.
Conversely, the hot process method, in which you cook the mixture in a double boiler, or even in a stock pot, requires a cooking time of several hours, but cures more rapidly as a result of the heating process.
Still, it also loses some of the valuable glycerin while it is cooking, so, perhaps the cold process is better.
Are you asking yourself why on earth you would ever want to make your own soap? You do not have to use lye, so it is not dangerous, as it was when the only way to get soap was to make it.
If you have never done this before it is wise to purchase a soap making starter kit that contains everything you need and detailed instructions.
When you make glycerin soap, which is also called melt and pour soap, it is quick and easy.
All you have to do is heat up the glycerin to melt it, and then pour it into the provided soap molds.
These kits will NOT contain any lye, so don't be afraid of them.
You can even use your microwave to melt the glycerin, instead of heating it on the stove.
These kits are easy to find, either in craft stores or online.
Now that you have tried it, you might want to advance to the traditional cold process method for making simple, all natural, and environmentally safe soaps.
To do this you must: * Find a recipe that that is easy and has been successfully used by many others.
Do not get too fancy until you are really comfortable with soap-making.
* Buy only quality ingredients from a dependable source.
* Line your container with parchment paper, wax paper, or plastic wrap.
* Wear protective gloves and goggles when working with the lye * Follow directions explicitly regarding the amounts of lye and distilled water used.
Use a glass bowl and measuring cups for the lye.
Carefully mix them together in the bowl, pouring the lye into the water.
Stirring will cause it to heat up and there will be fumes...
so back up and don't breath it or splash it.
Set it aside to cool.
* Whatever oils are being used in your recipe will need to be scooped into a glass container and melted in the microwave.
* Mix the oils and the lye water together and pour it into your lined container.
* When it has solidified, cut your bars, and then put them aside to cure for the amount of time recommended in your recipe.
* Store in a ventilated contain and use within a year.
No, do not panic...
it is nothing like the old days when soap making was more of a nightmare than a hobby or challenge.
Cold process soap making is the quicker and simpler way to go, though it does require a longer time...
three to four weeks...
to cure.
The curing is necessary, because that is when the soap becomes milder and more neutral.
Conversely, the hot process method, in which you cook the mixture in a double boiler, or even in a stock pot, requires a cooking time of several hours, but cures more rapidly as a result of the heating process.
Still, it also loses some of the valuable glycerin while it is cooking, so, perhaps the cold process is better.
Are you asking yourself why on earth you would ever want to make your own soap? You do not have to use lye, so it is not dangerous, as it was when the only way to get soap was to make it.
If you have never done this before it is wise to purchase a soap making starter kit that contains everything you need and detailed instructions.
When you make glycerin soap, which is also called melt and pour soap, it is quick and easy.
All you have to do is heat up the glycerin to melt it, and then pour it into the provided soap molds.
These kits will NOT contain any lye, so don't be afraid of them.
You can even use your microwave to melt the glycerin, instead of heating it on the stove.
These kits are easy to find, either in craft stores or online.
Now that you have tried it, you might want to advance to the traditional cold process method for making simple, all natural, and environmentally safe soaps.
To do this you must: * Find a recipe that that is easy and has been successfully used by many others.
Do not get too fancy until you are really comfortable with soap-making.
* Buy only quality ingredients from a dependable source.
* Line your container with parchment paper, wax paper, or plastic wrap.
* Wear protective gloves and goggles when working with the lye * Follow directions explicitly regarding the amounts of lye and distilled water used.
Use a glass bowl and measuring cups for the lye.
Carefully mix them together in the bowl, pouring the lye into the water.
Stirring will cause it to heat up and there will be fumes...
so back up and don't breath it or splash it.
Set it aside to cool.
* Whatever oils are being used in your recipe will need to be scooped into a glass container and melted in the microwave.
* Mix the oils and the lye water together and pour it into your lined container.
* When it has solidified, cut your bars, and then put them aside to cure for the amount of time recommended in your recipe.
* Store in a ventilated contain and use within a year.
