Soap Making Supplies
Soap has been valued throughout the years as a gentle cleansing agent, though soap making supplies have come a long way from the lye and animal fat soaps of the past. Soap making is a trade that dates back to ancient Egypt, though soap making as we know it today was perfected in Europe in the seventh century. Today, soaps come in all shapes and sizes to fit the needs of all people, and can even be made in your home! Natural soap making supplies are becoming increasingly popular and are easy to find.
The best place to purchase soap making supplies is a craft store or hobby shop. The main ingredients of soap are some sort of fatty acid and a base. Vegetable oil is much more popular (and vegan friendly) than animal fat, so many natural soap making supplies will include some kind of vegetable fat. The base of the soap usually consists of lye, just as it did in the olden days. You can also purchase a natural essential oil to scent the soap. After you’ve purchased all the necessary natural or organic soap making supplies, you can begin the soap making process.
The first step in soap making is to gently heat the vegetable oil on the stove. Be careful not to over boil! In a bowl, combine the lye and distilled water. The lye-water mixture will begin to heat up. After the lye has dissolved and both solutions reach the proper temperatures, combine the lye mixture to the oil and stir. After the combined mixture reaches the right consistency (called “tracing”, usually when the mixture reaches the consistency of honey), you may add your natural scented oils. Then, pour the mixture into a mould. All soaps will need time to cure, though it will depend on the type of soap making supplies you have used.
Homemade soaps make great gifts, and since natural soap making supplies are so easy to find, you’ll be making soap in no time at all! Everyone appreciates a great homemade gift!