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, naturally you should keep your eye on the ultimate goal, that is to create those wholesome, decorative, homemade soap bars which you can wrap in ribbons and give as presents, infusing them with scents or organic moisturizers and colors. However, remember that in order to get to that ultimate creation, you must go through a complicated process, and most importantly, you have to pay attention to the way to handle the most dangerous ingredient in all soaps, and that 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 are making bars of soap will require additional care as well. When you measure it out and are shaking it from the jar or tin, check to be sure that no little flecks or specks cling to your sleeves or gloves, particularly if the air is dry and there may be static. If you pour your water into the lye, you’ll get a violent reaction. This means you need to pour the lye little by little into your water instead and make certain nothing splashes, while stirring as your pour. Keep vinegar nearby to counteract any lye spills. As soon as the lye crystals have completely 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 have not tried making your own soap then you are missing out on a very wonderful hobby that has a long history. If you’re looking for a soap making recipe or just want to know more about this enjoyable pastime, visit our site on How To Make Soap.

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