Bruce the Chef

By: Susan Jan

Soap making has been around for ages. The process of making soaps can
either be simple or complex, depending on what you want to make. You
can make soaps as a way to make money or you can make soaps for
personal use or as gifts.

Keep in mind that soap making can be dangerous, as soaps become very
hot when melted during the melt and pour soap making process. Soap
making should be fun and entertaining, but it is also important to
practice all necessary safety precautions when making soaps.

Always wear rubber gloves and eye protection. It is also a good idea to
keep your safety equipment on at all times even after you have removed
the soap from the mold. This is because melted soap takes a long time
to cool.

To start making soaps, you have to get to know the basic ingredients in
handmade soaps. Handmade soaps are generally made from glycerin. You
can buy glycerin soap at your local hobby store. There are many types
of glycerin soaps that you can melt and pour into your own handmade
soaps. They also have different properties and benefits for your skin.

Here are some examples of glycerin soap:

* Hemp Glycerin Soap
* Olive Oil Soap
* Clear Glycerin Soap
* Goat Milk Glycerin Soap

The good thing about the melt and pour soap making method is that all
the equipments you need can be found in your own house. You can use
either your double broiler or your microwave oven for melting soaps.

It is important to remember to keep the bowl containing the soap base
covered when using the microwave. This is to prevent the melted soap
base from splattering out of the bowl in the microwave oven and to keep
the excess moisture from evaporating.

When using the microwave, melt the soap base for one minute in high
temperature, stirring in the remaining unmelted soap pieces until those
have melted too.

If you prefer to use the double broiler, you should first bring the
water to a boil then add your soap base of choice to the boiling water,
cover the pot and set the fire on low. Keep in mind that this method
will take some time. The soap base may take as long as 10 minutes to
melt. Stirring occasionally will also ensure an even melt.

You can also add some optional ingredients:
* You can add fragrance to your soaps. You can buy your choice of
fragrance oil in your local hobby store. Keep in mind that the
fragrance oil should be completely mixed in so that the soap will not
have a cloudy appearance.

* You can also add your color preference when making soaps. You can use
mica or food coloring for it. When using food coloring, you should
start by adding one drop at a time and mixing it thoroughly until you
reach your color preference.

After the soap base has melted, pour it into individual molds, tray
molds, or blocks, which can then be sliced. You can also be creative
and design your own soap mold to create soaps of various shapes and
sizes.

Creating your own handmade soap by the melt and pour soap making
process can be fun and an inexpensive process. It also makes great
gifts for family and friends.

About the Author:

For more on Soap Making visit Susan’s sites Soap Making Supply and Soap Making Recipe, and also at Shopping and Society.

Article Source: http://www.therealarticles.com