Today, handmade soaps are found at craft shows, specialty stores, on the internet and in some retail outlets. Many people enjoy making novelty soaps that both look beautiful and work to keep your skin feeling fresh. Though it is readily available now, this wasn't always the case.
Records indicate that soap making may have existed as far back as 2800 B.C. There are records that indicate both the Ancient Greeks and Romans both started experimenting with olive oil in their initial soap making. During its earliest years of creation soap was considered a luxury and was only available to the richest individuals and families. Soap makers were hired to create their products and were paid well by their wealthy employers. Because of its' rare status, it took years before handmade soap became accessible to everyone. But, one thing that remained unchanged through the years is the fact that, like its current use, soap was used to wash skin and clothes when it was first discovered.
As the years progressed, Europe established a soap making industry as did America. While handmade soap was generally made by women during the colonel American era. Each year, usually before spring, women would gather together and make soap from the ingredients that were saved from the winter months. Generally colonial soaps were made from lard.
Since large industries took over the process of soap making, the quality has suffered immensely. Soap making has been quite profitable to large corporations. However, these large corporations do not offer handmade soap and, therefore, lose control over the special touches that only handmade soap can offer. Rather than a luxury item, as it was earlier considered, soap has become an everyday must-have household item. The availability of regular soap lead to the inventions of other things, including detergent, dishwashing liquids, stain removers, liquid soaps, etc.
Today, handmade soaps are created by talented crafters worldwide. Unique designs, scents, colorations and styles are among the many characteristics found in today's handmade soap. From lavender soap to soap loaves, handmade soap is still very much considered a luxurious item, but not anywhere near as unattainable as in its earliest years. Soap loaves, much like the name implies, can be cut down to make bars of any size of shape. Many soap makers show their creations at various craft fairs throughout the year, as well as specialty stores.
Handmade soap is thought to be wonderful for your skin. Because each bar contains healthy ingredients that help to rejuvenate the skin, many users swear by its' effects. Today, everyone from amateurs to small business owners are experimenting, selling and enjoying their own handmade soap. Vanilla, lavender, floral and practically any other scent imaginable is available. The next time that you find yourself peeking in and out of quaint stores lining the streets or browsing the aisle at a local craft fair, snoop around and see if you cannot find someone who is offering handmade soap. Otherwise, there is always the internet where a variety of handmade soap is right at your fingertips.
Soap - it has the ability to produce strong, lasting emotions in us, and this depends on its peculiar scent... charming aroma, or color. I clearly remember when my child was very young and loved a special soap bar with a little ducky inside - she would get it out at every bath time. I easily remember the cool invigorating feeling of washing with sea-spray scented soap, or the luxurious feel of scrubbing with vanilla soap. I remember these things easily - soap scent easily brings such memories back.
Nowadays, richly scented soaps aren't cheap, and we can't always afford the ones we want. Often, we have to settle for commercially made soaps with only a hint of fragrance.
But what if I told you that you could make your own homemade soap? That you could choose any fragrance you wanted, and even put herbs, flowers or other things inside the soap? Would you be intrigued? Would you be willing to give it a try?
There are hundreds of great homemade soap recipes and we'll start with a very basic one. It's important to remember that sometimes it takes a few tries to get it right, but once you've got the process down, homemade soap making is easy and fun!
Here's the recipe, followed by a link that will help you find all the supplies and additional info you need.
Basic Recipe For Homemade Soap
Ingredients:
Lye solution
Animal fat
Cool water
Scents, herbs or anything you want to add to the soap
Things you will need:
2 quart jar
Large pot (at least 12 quarts)
Candy thermometer
Wooden spoon
Soap molds
Rubber gloves
Something to cover soap at the end of the process, such as a towel, Styrofoam or Cardboard
The first thing you will have to do is make the lye solution ready for use. You do this by pouring 2 1/2 cups of cold water into an enamelled pot. Next, you should slowly add 13 ounces of the lye, being sure to stir continuously with the wooden spoon. The water will heat up the lye, and it will have to be cooled before you can go to the next step. If you want to cool it quickly, place the pot in some cool water. After the lye has cooled, you should pour it into the 2 quart jar.
Next, you need to prepare the animal fat. To do so, put 6 pounds of it in a pan, and heat on low until it melts. Once all of it is melted, remove it from the heat and cool. It's important to remember that one of the biggest problems people face when making homemade soap is trying to rush the process and not allowing the lye or animal fat to cool. If you rush it, the process may not be a success.
The lye and fat need to be between 95-98 degrees for the next step (use the candy thermometer to measure the temperature). You may have to place them in basins of either hot or cold water to get the temperatures just right.
Once they're right, stir the fat (it's probably hardened a little), and then slowly add the lye, stirring the entire time. The substance will turn opaque and brown, but then after stirring for some time, will begin to lighten. Once that happens, and it is the consistency of sour cream, you are ready for the next step.
Now for the fun part! Add your scents or whatever else you want to the mixture, and then pour it into the soap molds. Place them in a warm location, and use something (the towel, Styrofoam or cardboard) to insulate it by placing it over the top. Wait twenty-four hours, and then remove the soap from its molds.
You're almost done! Now you should set your soap in an area where there are plenty of breezes, and allow it to sit there for 2-4 weeks. Waiting is the hardest part, but it will allow your soap to set properly.