Bubble, Bubble, Toil And...Fun

INTRODUCTION

I’m often asked “what is soap?” or “how do you make soap?”  People are interested in the ingredients used in making “natural” bath and body products, especially soaps. I decided to compile all the information I’ve gathered over the years into a book. I’m hoping my readers will find it both interesting and informative. 

To begin with, soap is made by combining a chemical, sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide, with oils (animal, plant or vegetable) and water.  I’ll eliminate any discussion having to do with animal fats or oils as I do not advocate using them.  

To put it simply, the chemical, sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide, is a catalyst necessary to convert the oil molecules to soap molecules in a process referred to as saponification. 

There are several methods used to make soap. In this book, I’ll cover the cold-process method in detail. Glycerin, an end-product of the cold-process method, remains in the soap after it has completely cured and is a natural emollient. Cold-process soaps are opaque. Additional steps can be carried out to achieve a transparent or translucent glycerin soap, the more familiar form associated with glycerin soaps. 

Many commercial soaps or even some “handcrafted” soaps are really detergents. Some may contain petroleum distillates in place of fats or oils and they may contain other chemicals which remain in the soap unlike the sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide that is used up during the curing process.  

Reported studies have shown we absorb a small amount of ingredients from the products we apply to our skin topically. Therefore, it is a good rule to read the labels when buying any skincare product or cosmetic. 

For the soapmakers (and lotionmakers), I’ve included a resource section with some of our favorite suppliers. There are probably many more good suppliers out there so check with other crafters in your area to learn who they use. Your fellow crafters can often be your best resource.