How to Get Ready to Make Soap

Series Summary

Soap-making is a hobby that is growing in population. Many soaps are seen in bar form, or can easily be formed or molded into a desirable shape. Soap is usually a mixture of sodium, potassium, fatty acids, and scent and color dye. Handmade soap differs from other soaps because it usually has an excess of fat to consume the alkali (potassium); this makes the soap more hand-friendly. Many softeners are often added, such as shea butter or jojoba oil.

Are you a craft enthusiast? Are you looking for a new hobby or a special gift idea? Soap-making is for you! In this series of videos, our expert crafter leads you step-by-step through the soap making methodology. Our expert begins by showing you how to get ready for making soap and what ingredients you need for the process. Preparing the molds and oils for your bars or shaped soaps is made easy by watching these videos. Combining and equalizing the temperature of the water, lye and oils can be tricky. Watch these videos as our expert carefully combines the ingredients and additives used to make some hand milled soap, then try this technique and add your own additives to make your own soap!

Video Transcript

"My name is Sheryl and today we are going to make soap. Soap making is a chemical process. It is a lot of fun. However, it does require specific equipment and instructions and a reliable recipe. So the first thing I recommend is and I will be giving you a recipe that I like but first thing I recommend is that whether it be online or in the library, look around for a recipe that captures your interest that has ingredients in that you think you are going to enjoy. Like for instance, you will have to decide whether you want to make your soap primarily out of animal fats or items such as olive oil and Canola oil. You will have to decide what kind of additives you want to put in. Things like coconut oil will change the hardness of the soap. Things like buttermilk will add lathering to your soap. Ground up oatmeal is absolutely excellent for making a soothing soap to your skin. You may want to add extra moisturizing by including cocoa butter. These are collegenial leaves and petals. They add a soothing quality to the soap and them there is the whole realm of fragrances. These days unlike the days of old where we had to go burn wood to get lye, everything is available at the grocery store, at natural food stores and on-line. I recommend that you first find a recipe that you want to use and that you read the instructions, review this video, start to feel comfortable with the idea of having a basic understanding of what the process is and then buy your ingredients. Particularly if you are ordering them, you are going to have to plan a little ahead."