Soap Making Is One Fun Activity For You

By Jen Hopkins

Soaps are considered a necessity in our homes. Since these are practically cleansing agents that we use, it is unlikely that a certain home will not have any soap. The use of soaps dates back during the ancient times which have been carried over to the present. Soaps are basically used for bathing, washing and cleaning. These cleansing agents are synthesized from animal or vegetable fats. When it comes to cleaning, soaps are very effective.

Soap making is just a matter or mixing the raw materials in order to make the finished products. The process of making soaps is also known as saponification. This process basically involves mixing fats and oils with a certain amount of alkali. In soap making, this mixture results in the formation of salts of fatty acids. These salts capture the dirt and grease ensuring that they will be removed from the surface. As this is washed by water, the dirt and soap mixture comes with it, leaving nothing but a clean surface.

There are different kinds of soaps which are made. Besides from the commercial soaps that we are used to, there are also handmade soaps. These handmade soaps are the products that you get from making the soaps from scratch. The qualities of these two soaps are very different. In fact, soap making basically involves superfatting or the addition of an excess amount of fats into the soap mixture. The main advantage of this method is to make the soap skin-friendly. As the glycerine is left untouched in the soap, it is still able to keep it moisturizing property.

Soap making is actually a simple activity to do. There are basically three ways of making soap with their own advantages. First, the melt and pour method is the basic soap making procedure. This involves the use of a pre-made soap base which is melted and poured into the mold. Second, the cold process is done by slightly raising the temperature of the soap enough to liquefy it. Third, the hot-process is done by heating the soap to ensure that the reaction is complete.

Most of the materials of soap making are available in local groceries. You can just get these soap making materials and start working on them. What makes this activity very appealing for the people is the fact that you can personalize your soaps. There are so many additives that you can add to your soap so that you can enjoy using them. You can add color, fragrance, moisturizers, exfoliants and a lot more. Just be creative when it comes to making your soaps.

There are certain precautionary measures that must be taken when handling soap mixtures Especially with the use of lye, these soap mixtures can burn the skin. Please be careful whenever adding lye to the water and mixing it. You should always wear gloves, goggle and an apron when making soaps. Knowing that you are safe will make soap making a lot more fun! - 33381

About the Author:

Sign Up for our Free Newsletter

Enter email address here