| Soap making has been around for ages. The process | | | | containing the soap base covered when using the |
| of making soaps can either be simple or complex, | | | | microwave. This is to prevent the melted soap base |
| depending on what you want to make. You can make | | | | from splattering out of the bowl in the microwave |
| soaps as a way to make money or you can make | | | | oven and to keep the excess moisture from |
| soaps for personal use or as gifts. | | | | evaporating. |
| Keep in mind that soap making can be dangerous, as | | | | When using the microwave, melt the soap base for |
| soaps become very hot when melted during the melt | | | | one minute in high temperature, stirring in the remaining |
| and pour soap making process. Soap making should | | | | unmelted soap pieces until those have melted too. |
| be fun and entertaining, but it is also important to | | | | If you prefer to use the double broiler, you should first |
| practice all necessary safety precautions when | | | | bring the water to a boil then add your soap base of |
| making soaps. | | | | choice to the boiling water, cover the pot and set the |
| Always wear rubber gloves and eye protection. It is | | | | fire on low. Keep in mind that this method will take |
| also a good idea to keep your safety equipment on at | | | | some time. The soap base may take as long as 10 |
| all times even after you have removed the soap from | | | | minutes to melt. Stirring occasionally will also ensure an |
| the mold. This is because melted soap takes a long | | | | even melt. |
| time to cool. | | | | You can also add some optional ingredients: |
| To start making soaps, you have to get to know the | | | | * You can add fragrance to your soaps. You can buy |
| basic ingredients in handmade soaps. Handmade | | | | your choice of fragrance oil in your local hobby store. |
| soaps are generally made from glycerin. You can buy | | | | Keep in mind that the fragrance oil should be |
| glycerin soap at your local hobby store. There are | | | | completely mixed in so that the soap will not have a |
| many types of glycerin soaps that you can melt and | | | | cloudy appearance. |
| pour into your own handmade soaps. They also have | | | | * You can also add your color preference when |
| different properties and benefits for your skin. | | | | making soaps. You can use mica or food coloring for |
| Here are some examples of glycerin soap: | | | | it. When using food coloring, you should start by adding |
| * Hemp Glycerin Soap | | | | one drop at a time and mixing it thoroughly until you |
| * Olive Oil Soap | | | | reach your color preference. |
| * Clear Glycerin Soap | | | | After the soap base has melted, pour it into individual |
| * Goat Milk Glycerin Soap | | | | molds, tray molds, or blocks, which can then be sliced. |
| The good thing about the melt and pour soap making | | | | You can also be creative and design your own soap |
| method is that all the equipments you need can be | | | | mold to create soaps of various shapes and sizes. |
| found in your own house. You can use either your | | | | Creating your own handmade soap by the melt and |
| double broiler or your microwave oven for melting | | | | pour soap making process can be fun and an |
| soaps. | | | | inexpensive process. It also makes great gifts for |
| It is important to remember to keep the bowl | | | | family and friends. |