The urge to "go green" and to give handmade gifts has brought a heightened interest in handmade items. Coconut oil soaps is one of these items. Those who want to make things themselves so that they know what is in it and that there is no unnecessary waste are big proponents of making their own soaps. There are several recipes and methods for making soap, but all are pretty similar.
To make good soap, you have to have a highly fatty combination. Lye, fats, and scents are the main ingredients. The different types of soap depends on the amount of each ingredient, and the type of fats used. Almost any fat can be used. The higher the superfat the better the conditioning. Coconut is considered the best, and it has 20% superfat. Anything used is best the closer to that percentage it gets.
There are some dangers when making soaps. They are a combination of lye, oils, scents, and colors. Each are heated to a certain temperature, then cooled to another temperature. Due to this, there is danger of burns and spills. Lye is very caustic to the skin. Therefore, gloves are a good idea, though not entirely necessary. A good thermometer and an accurate scale are necessary for good results as well.
It is recommended that materials and equipment be reserved for the soap making. This means there is less work in cleaning up. But, supposedly if you clean them carefully, they are safe to reuse. Most materials, such as a crockpot, can be found at garage sales or thrift stores. Pots should be made of stainless steel or crock ingredients.
The required tools and equipment are very few. You need a stainless steel pot or a crock pot, which is preferable. A digital scale weighs ingredients accurately. This ensures the soap won't be too oily or harsh. For dividing the oils and heating them, and for pouring you need glass or plastic cups and bowls. You need a stick blender for mixing. Metal or wooden spoons and a rubber spatula are needed. And, finally, you will need an assortment of molds, either silicon professional ones or waxed cardboard boxes of the proper size. The silicon molds are beautiful, but not necessary.
There are a few safety rules that must be followed due to the caustic lye, and accidents can happen. Gloves and safety eyewear is essential. Also, having a large bottle of vinegar at hand is important. The vinegar neutralizes the lye in case it gets splashed on the person or any belongings. Due to these safety issues, it is not really intended for children, although with strict attention it could be done.
There are fun ways to make this utilitarian product beautiful and unique. Essential oils add subtle scents. Dyes add subtle colors, though you want to keep them pastel so as not to use a bunch of dyes. Too much dye or scents may change the consistency of the soap. Strong scents additionally may irritate the skin, and the strong scent may be offensive to some.
As hobbies go, soap making is enjoyable and inexpensive. It does not require many tools and materials. The oils and dyes are very inexpensive in the amount they are used. The silicon molds are the most expensive, though still relatively inexpensive. They can be added one at a time as funds become available. Use waxed boxes for molds until you can get the molds.
To make good soap, you have to have a highly fatty combination. Lye, fats, and scents are the main ingredients. The different types of soap depends on the amount of each ingredient, and the type of fats used. Almost any fat can be used. The higher the superfat the better the conditioning. Coconut is considered the best, and it has 20% superfat. Anything used is best the closer to that percentage it gets.
There are some dangers when making soaps. They are a combination of lye, oils, scents, and colors. Each are heated to a certain temperature, then cooled to another temperature. Due to this, there is danger of burns and spills. Lye is very caustic to the skin. Therefore, gloves are a good idea, though not entirely necessary. A good thermometer and an accurate scale are necessary for good results as well.
It is recommended that materials and equipment be reserved for the soap making. This means there is less work in cleaning up. But, supposedly if you clean them carefully, they are safe to reuse. Most materials, such as a crockpot, can be found at garage sales or thrift stores. Pots should be made of stainless steel or crock ingredients.
The required tools and equipment are very few. You need a stainless steel pot or a crock pot, which is preferable. A digital scale weighs ingredients accurately. This ensures the soap won't be too oily or harsh. For dividing the oils and heating them, and for pouring you need glass or plastic cups and bowls. You need a stick blender for mixing. Metal or wooden spoons and a rubber spatula are needed. And, finally, you will need an assortment of molds, either silicon professional ones or waxed cardboard boxes of the proper size. The silicon molds are beautiful, but not necessary.
There are a few safety rules that must be followed due to the caustic lye, and accidents can happen. Gloves and safety eyewear is essential. Also, having a large bottle of vinegar at hand is important. The vinegar neutralizes the lye in case it gets splashed on the person or any belongings. Due to these safety issues, it is not really intended for children, although with strict attention it could be done.
There are fun ways to make this utilitarian product beautiful and unique. Essential oils add subtle scents. Dyes add subtle colors, though you want to keep them pastel so as not to use a bunch of dyes. Too much dye or scents may change the consistency of the soap. Strong scents additionally may irritate the skin, and the strong scent may be offensive to some.
As hobbies go, soap making is enjoyable and inexpensive. It does not require many tools and materials. The oils and dyes are very inexpensive in the amount they are used. The silicon molds are the most expensive, though still relatively inexpensive. They can be added one at a time as funds become available. Use waxed boxes for molds until you can get the molds.
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Get an overview of the things to consider when purchasing soap and view our selection of coconut oil soaps at http://www.ascsoapworks.com/blog/coconut-oil-in-soaps now.
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