All About Soap Making – Basic Soap Making

By | December 10, 2016

Soap making is a simple process that can be performed by any individual. The soap making process has various requirements such as the ingredients to use and a list of kitchen supplies to be used as tools. Soap making recipes will vary according to the ingredients used to make soap. Ingredients used may include coconut oil, lye, olive oil, and palm oil among many others. The ingredients should be mixed according to instructions in a given recipe.

Tools needed in making soap:

1. Stick blender

The stick blender is also known as an immersion blender. The mixer produces better results by stirring within five minutes.

2. Digital scale

The scale is utilized for a precise measuring of ingredients used in the soap making process.

3. A steel pot that is stainless

The soap making pot should comprise of stainless steel. A container that is covered with enamel can also serve the purpose well.

4. Bowls

Bowls are required for measuring and mixing of the ingredients. A stainless bowl is recommended to stand the heat involved. Bowls made of aluminum or wood should not be used.

5. Spoons

Spoons are required for measuring and mixing through stirring. Wooden spoons are not recommended.

6. A soap mold

A wooden or plastic box can serve this purpose adequately. The soap mold can be from any container. Other people may prefer using milk cartons to mold the soap.

7. Knife

Kitchen knife having a large blade can be used.

8. Glasses and gloves

These are important to ensure safety when handling lye. The rubber gloves protect your hand from being irritated by lye.

The soap making process

1. The first step involves gathering together the ingredients to be used in conjunction with the tools. The soap mold should be lined with freezer paper, and the shiny surface should be the one facing the soap.

2. The stainless steel pot should be then placed on the digital scale. The solid oils should be then added to the steel pot as their weights get recorded.

3. After measuring the weight of the ingredients, the pot should be warmed over low heat to melt the solid oils.

4. The next step involves measuring the lye (sodium hydroxide) into a bowl. One should be careful since sodium hydroxide is poisonous

5. Measure water to be used.

6. The water should then be poured into a heat-resistant bowl followed by the lye.

7. Measure the liquid oils into a separate bowl. Add the liquid oils into the bowl containing the solid oils after they have melted.

8. Add the lye solution into the pot once it has cooled down while blending using a stick blender.

9. Continue the blending process until the mixture looks dull on the surface and coats the blender with a thin film. You can add fragrances and colorants at these step.

10. Pour the blend into a mold container. The mold container can be deep or shallow depending on your preference.

11. Place the mold inside a cardboard shoe box and put the lid on it. The mold should be covered with a thick piece of cloth to provide warmth. Give the soap 24 hours to harden. When the soap is cold and hard, cut it into bars. It should be allowed to cool for four weeks before it can be used.

12. Rinse off the lye from the tools and wash them using soapy water.