The ABCs Of SoapMaking - Gathering The Equipment
You Will Need
By Mary
Welty
SOAPMAKING – WHAT YOU WILL NEED
Ready to try making your own soap? Then the first place to start
is gathering the supplies you will need. Nothing could be worse
than starting a project dealing with caustic lye and suddenly find
out you’re missing a key piece of the puzzle. So, before you begin
make sure you have these materials and supplies close at hand.
A Kitchen Scale: You’ll find out very quickly that unless you
have an accurate kitchen scale, you’re going to have problems with
your soap. Some of the features you’ll want to look for
include:
· A scale that can be readjusted to zero each time you use it.
This will permit you to set your pot on the scale, set the scale to
zero, and still achieve the accurate weight of the ingredients.
· You will want a scale that can measure accurately up to
5lb’s.
Soap Pot: You will need a large kettle for mixing your soap.
This should be made of unchipped enamel or stainless steel. Lye
will corrode most other materials. Smaller pots may hold your batch
of soap but they won’t leave enough room for stirring. When
choosing a pot, select one that is tall and narrow, rather than
short and wide. Soap made in a taller pot will mix more
efficiently.
Plastic Pitchers: You’re going to need two plastic pitchers for
missing and pouring the lye solution. The pitchers should have
pouring spouts, removable lids that either snap or screw on
tightly, and secure handles. Select pitchers that are “dishwasher
safe.” These types of pitchers will be able to accommodate the lye
solution that can heat up to 200 degrees. Do not use glass or
metals. Metals can react with the lye and glass may crack when
subjected to the high temperatures of the lye.
Long Handled Spoons: The spoons are used for stirring the
caustic lye solution so be sure it has a good long handle. Spoons
can be of plastic or wood, though the lye will eventually chew up a
wooden spoon. Plan on reserving these spoons for soapmaking
only.
Kitchen Thermometer: You will need 2 kitchen thermometers. Each
must be capable of registering temperatures as low as 100 degrees
F. The probe end should be made of glass or stainless steel. Lye
can ruin most aluminum probes. Purchase thermometers with hooks so
you can attach them to the side of your pitcher or pot. Make sure
you know how to read your thermometer, as inaccurate readings can
ruin a batch of soap!
Safety Glasses: Always wear safety goggles/glasses when mixing
soap to protect your eyes from the caustic lye.
Rubber Gloves: You will also want rubber gloves to protect your
hands and lower arms from the possibility of a chemical burn.
Protective Covering: You will also need an adequate supply of
newspaper or plastic to cover all counter surfaces and protect them
from the caustic lye. Lye will absolutely destroy Formica and other
laminated surfaces. Make certain you have all work surfaces
protected before your begin.
Ladle: A ladle comes in very hand for transferring the soap from
the pot into the mold. Use either wood or stainless steel.
Knife: You will also want a sharp knife for cutting up suet or
beef fat for rendering and also for cutting your soap into
bars.
Large Plastic Container with a Lid: This will used as a primary
mold and will hold your basic liquid soap. It must, of course be
large enough to accommodate your soap batch. Clear plastic works
well because it allows you to spot any problems with your soap
before you attempt to remove it.
Blankets or Towels: These will be used to wrap up your primary
mold to keep the soap from cooling too quickly.
A Screen, Freezer or Butcher’s Paper. After you cut your block
soap into bars, you will need a place to let them cure. Do not cure
bars on color impregnated material like cardboard as the color may
transfer to your soaps.
Kitchen Grater: If you plan to turn your basic bars into
hand-milled soap, you will need a grater to grate the soap into
small pieces.
Soap Molds: This can be the most creative part of the soapmaking
process. Use your imagination when selecting a soap mold such as
old-fashioned gelatin molds, microwave containers, candy molds, or
my personal favorite – the hexagonal container for the Folgers
specialty coffee. These make great bath-sized bars with wonderful
cropped corners. Some considerations you need to give your molds
are:
· Flexible Molds are preferable to ones that are completely
ridged, as the bars will be easier to remove.
· Mold material must be able to withstand the high temperature
of hot soap.
· The open end must be larger than the closed end or you will
not be able to remove the soap.
· Plastic and stainless steel are generally the best mold
material. Glass and china molds might be acceptable, but the soap
won’t be easy to remove.
Additives: What you add to your soaps is limited solely by your
imagination and the desired result. The best way to determine what
to add to your soaps is to think about what you hope to achieve
with the end product. Are you attempting to treat a specific skin
condition like dry skin or acne? Or are you hoping for a more
generic soap that can be milled into a variety uses like shampoo or
laundry soap? Some soap additives are:
· Herbs: Herbs make a wonderful soap additive and can treat a
variety of skin conditions. For ideas or properties of specific
herbs try http://usingherbs.com for detailed information on herbs,
their properties and uses.
· Essential Oils: Essential Oils are perfect for scenting your
soaps. Unlike many other types of oils they are extracted from the
plant source and are very potent, their scent often lasts longer
than synthetic scents.
· Fragrance Oils: These oils are commonly used in potpourri and
are made synthetically. While generally not as long lasting as
essential oils, they do offer unique scent combinations.
So, at least we’ve made a start. Once you’ve gathered all of
your supplies, check back and we’ll discuss basic soap making
techniques.
MK Welty hosts an informational site for soapmakers at:
http://youcanmakesoap.com From beginning to end, you
will find everything you need including soap recipes, soap
making instructions, and suppliers.
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