A recipe for soap making that is easier than you think.
You may think soapmaking is a hard task but guess again, it is easy. In just a few easy steps you can be on your way to making soaps of all kinds.
Soaps make great gift items. By adding your own natural touches with a ribbon here, adding a scent there your soap can become your signature. People appreciate a handmade item, especially one that smells good enought to eat!
First you will need to get into some old clothing. Even though you think of soap as an all around cleaning tool, it can be messy at times to make. If this is your first time you will need extra clean up time. Sometimes this craft can get away from you but do not get discouraged. After your first time you will become a soapmaking pro.
Be sure you have a scale that reads to 1/10th of an ounce. For proper soapmaking you need to weigh everything with the exception of your fragrance. The strength of the scent is entirely up to you.
You will need a mold. You can make mold by lining a cardboard box with wax paper if you are unable to purchase one. For small guest sized soaps an ice cube tray works wonders also. Keep in mind this rule of thumb, anything plastic can serve as a soap mold.
The next thing you will need to gather is a spoon, preferably plastic but a natural wood one will also do. Make sure there are no dyes or coloring on your wooden spoon. This could cause unwanted color to bleed into your soap.You will also need a thermometer. A standard candy thermometer will work wonders.
Find a nice large pan with plenty of room for stirring. Also, the larger the pan the better. This large pan will allow for larger batches to be made once you become familiar with the soapmaking process.
A good pair of safety goggles and gloves are a necessity. Goggles will protect your eyes in case of soap boils that can cause bubbles that burst. A bursting bubble full of hot soap never needs to get in your eye. The gloves will protect your skin from possible burns and also helps keep the soap from hardening under your fingernails.
Now the last thing you will need is time and patience and a recipe like the one that I have listed:
1/2 C Fine Sea Salt
1/2 tsp jojoba oil
1/2 C liquid soap ( found in craft stores)
1/2 tsp fragrance oil
In your pan blend all ingredients except fragrance oil.
Boil mixture at 160 degrees for 4 minutes until soap begins to thicken in consistency.
Reduce heat.
Gradually add fragrance oil and stir slowly.
Remove from heat, cover and sit for 5 minutes.
This mixture will bein to thicken as it cools. At this time you may add fruit pieces, toys, orange rinds or the like for decorative purposes.
After 5 minutes pour into mold of choice and let sit overnight.
Remove from mold.
This same recipe can be used to make shampoo.
The only change is not to heat the ingredients and use 1/4 teaspoon jojoba oil rather than 1/2 teaspoon. You may also substitute 4 teaspoons apple vinegar for the fragrance if you are making the shampoo for oily hair.
It is all very simple and less time consuming than you ever thought.
Enjoy your new craft and happy soaping!
