The everyday object we use for cleansing and washing has a long and interesting history.
Since the discovery of how a mixture of fats and ash can create suds which remove dirt and grime, soap making is something that has been a part of human society.
Today, soap making has become a popular craft among hobbyists.
Perhaps it is because the process is easy, fun, and the truth is that anyone can learn how to make soaps.
There are four basic processes for soap making.
Each of the process on how to make soaps involves chemical reactions, though only two processes uses the dangerous chemical known as lye.
This chemical, which is integral when learning how to make soaps from scrap, is something that should be handled with care, and never within reach of children.
Melt and Pour Method Perhaps the easiest method of soap making.
This involves melting glycerin soaps in a double boiler, adding ingredients like fragrance oils, pouring the mixture into soap molds, and allowing the soaps to harden.
The melt and pour method is easy, inexpensive, and no lye is involved.
It is a great method to start with when new to soap making because the soap doesn't need time to cure, and only a few ingredients are needed to make soap unique.
Cold Process Method When it comes to more complicated processes on how to make soaps, this second method may come out on top.
Though it is the most common method of soap making (often used by natural and organic soap makers), it is the most time consuming method (you have to wait 2-6 weeks before your soap can be used).
It is also the method in which exact measurements of ingredients is a must or else the soap batch will be ruined.
It involves making soap from scratch, using oils and lye which means it is a messier process.
Hot Process Method Traditional records of how to make soaps usually depicts pictures of women over boiling cauldrons of soap.
This is the hot process method.
It is actually very similar to the cold process method, but with a cooking stake included among the steps.
This cooking stage is put in so that the saponification process (process in which soap properties form) speeds up.
Because of the applied heat, less fragrance is needed to enhance the soap, however, because saponification is sped up, the time to place the mixture into molds is also lessened, as this type of soap hardens quickly.
Rebatching The last process, rebatching, is also known as hand milling soap.
This is a great method of saving failed soap projects.
Similar to the melt and pour method, soaps are grated then melted and mixed together with either water or milk (depending on the texture you would like for your final soap.
) It's the best method for testing out fragrance blends.