Sos Roofline Systems

Soap making probably sounds like a simple, harmless process, perhaps even something you can do with the kids while making Christmas or birthday gifts. But remember that all through history, whenever people have made soap either from animal fats they’d conserved or, later, from vegetable oils, lye has always been one of the ingredients. Making soap is not a craft activity for young kids, and it is certainly not a project to get involved in unless you yourself plan to take the proper care.

When making soap, of course you want to keep your eye on the ultimate objective, and that is to create those wholesome, decorative, homemade soap bars that you can wrap in ribbons and offer as presents, infusing them with fragrances or organic moisturizers and colors. However, remember that in order to get to that ultimate creation, you must go through a complex procedure, and most importantly, you must be aware of how to handle the most hazardous ingredient in all soaps, which is sodium hydroxide, or lye.

When you go hunting for supplies, you won’t merely be looking for your soap making ingredients. You’ll need utensils, bowls and pots that are separate from those used in your kitchen. And of primary importance will be buying the items that will protect you when you’re using lye. These will include clothing with long sleeves, rubber gloves with no holes in them, and even goggles to keep your eyes safe. Making soap involves preparing yourself thoroughly and appropriately ahead of time.

The very handling of the lye while you’re producing bars of soap will require extra attention as well. When you measure it out and are shaking it out of the jar or tin, check to be sure that no small flecks or specks adhere to your gloves or sleeves, especially if the air is dry and there might be static. If you pour your water into the lye, you will get a violent effect. And that means you have to pour the lye very slowly into your water instead and make sure nothing splashes, while stirring as your pour. Keep vinegar nearby to neutralize any lye spills. As soon as the lye crystals have entirely dissolved, then you can pour this mixture into your soap base.

When you hear about people’s soap making projects, it might make you think of a fairly simple, relatively easy craft, like creating gifts by infusing olive oil with rosemary or raspberries. But making soap involves a much more complex process, and is an endeavor that requires careful preparation and precise attention to all sorts of details. And above all, becoming involved in this work requires that you be sure you make the process as safe as possible.

If you haven’t tried making your own soap, then you are missing out on a very wonderful hobby that has a long history. It’s practical, fun and makes a great gift! You can get soap recipes and instructions at our site on How To Make Soap.