soap making

soap making

soap making

The History Of Soap Making

I run across people all the time that ask questions about the lye in our handmade soaps. Some come away with a new understanding of soap making, others just turn up their nose. :-)

Lye is essential to the art of soap making. It has been used for literally thousands of years to make various kinds of soap across every continent. Handmade soap has its origins in ancient history.

Although it is believed by many that soap's history actually began around 2800 B.C. in Babylonia (where historians found a barrel containing a soap-like substance), undeniable proof of soap's existence was first provided by a Mesopotamian clay tablet dating back to 2200 B.C. with an actual soap recipe inscribed on it. The ancient soap making technique described mixing potash and oils to form a cleansing agent.

It's almost a given that Egyptians would also make some type of soap or cleanser. Egyptian manuscripts describe a substance created by combining animal fats and vegetable oils to create a soap-like base. The documents from approximately 1500 B.C. go on to explain another type of soap that is used in the production of wool.

Around 200 A.D. the ancient Greeks were said to have used an ash mixture to clean their statues and pots. The Gauls and Romans also made soap with animal fat, beech tree ashes and Goat's Milk. The goat's milk seems to have been their favorite, and I can understand why! They made both hard and soft soap products.

Today, soap is made from vegetable or animal fats and an alkali. In the past however, people made their own soap from animal tallow and wood ashes. Regardless of who first created the concoction, it was undoubtedly used in Rome. This is an established fact because a soapmaker's shop was discovered within the rubble of Pompeii after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. The Romans often used soap as a cosmetic. It was quite popular with the ladies, for they used it to dye their hair red. Plant extracts were probably used to acquire this color.

By 600 A.D. soap making guilds were formed and the modern formula for the soap that we use today was created.

The Hebrews used a salt base when creating their cleanser. This salt, used in a similar manner by many ancient cultures, could be found quite easily in their local lakes. They used the salt to create the alkali called for in the recipes.

By the eighth century, it is documented that there were soap factories in Italy and Spain. It was not until the twelfth or thirteenth century that this industry was embraced by France. France then passed on the tradition to England. The French made their soaps almost exclusively from olive oil, while the English delved into many different kinds of soap.

The Industrial Revolution forever changed the commercial production of soap. People stopped making it at home and started buying it from a catalog or store. Although, poor people did still make their own soap from wood ash and animal fats.

Today, lye is a product on the "hit list" because it is used in methanphetamine production. You can't just buy it at the store like we did 30 years ago. It must be ordered or bought from a supplier with plenty of paperwork to go along with it! But, it's still possible to make your own inexpensive and all-natural soap at home. You can make it from scratch with lye and soybean, coconut or olive oils, or you can order a rebatching base from a reputable supplier.

Either way, natural glyercin soaps are the way to go! Commercial soaps are more detergent than moisturizer these days. Vegan or at the very least, all natural, ingredients are best. Make your own soap or buy from soap-makers like me -- and be kind to your skin!

http://www.NeeNeesSoapShop2.blogspot.com

Soap Making: Retro Hippie Chick Flower Soap


Creativity For Kids Bath Time Bakery Cupcake Soaps
Creativity For Kids Bath Time Bakery Cupcake Soaps
List Price: $19.99
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Description

Everything you need to make 3 super-sweet, cupcake shaped soaps. This specially formulated skin-safe soap base requires no mixing and no melting. Just shape and decorate! Includes 7 colors of lightly scented soap clay, cosmetic grade glitter, shaping tool, cupcake holders and bath salt sprinkles.

Features

  • Make your own cupcake soap kit
  • Includes 7 colors of soap clay, cosmetic grade glitter, shaping tool, cupcake holders and bath salt sprinkles
  • Made from a skin safe soap base
  • Creates three cup cakes with no mixing or melting
10 Lbs Sodium Hydroxide Caustic Soda Red Devil Lye Make Soap Drain Cleaner Soap Making
10 Lbs Sodium Hydroxide Caustic Soda Red Devil Lye Make Soap Drain Cleaner Soap Making
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Pure Sodium Hydroxide NaOH CAS : 1310-73-2. Also known as caustic soda, Lye, Red Devil Lye, has many uses. Caution, use protective equipment with this and all products, it will burn your skin with prolonged contact. This product meets food chemical codex specifications.Please note international customers: This product CAN NOT be shipped outside of US.

Features

  • Great for making soaps
  • Use as drain cleaner
  • Paint Stripper
  • Chemistry / Education
The Original Soap Factory by AM AV Soap Making for children
The Original Soap Factory by AM AV Soap Making for children
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Here's a wonderful opportunity for kids to discover the art of soap.Blocks of colored soap are melted and poured into molds then wrapped as beautiful gifts. Contains everything needed to make 15 soaps.

Features

  • makes 15 different soaps
  • includes colored glycerin
  • molds, tissue paper
  • ribbon
Canus Goat's Milk Rich Moisturizing Pure Vegetable Oil Soap, 3-Count Boxes (Pack of 4)
Canus Goat's Milk Rich Moisturizing Pure Vegetable Oil Soap, 3-Count Boxes (Pack of 4)
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Description

Canus Goat's Milk Soaps are our original products. They are available in a fragranced as well as a fragrance-free version. A 5 ounce bar is triple-milled for hardness and is very long lasting. Fresh goat's milk has long been used as a skin moisturizer. Goat's milk contains capric and caprylic acids which reduce the alkalinity found in many skin care products. This reduced alkalinity results in a pH level closer to healthy human skin. We combine an all natural soap base with fresh goat's milk and our original fragrance of essential oils which will leave your skin feeling soft and rejuvenated.

Features

  • Case of four boxes, each containing three 5-ounce bars of soap (12 total bars)
  • Made with naturally homogenized farm fresh goat milk (not powdered)
  • Triple-milled soap is created to be hard and long lasting
  • Light, clean, mild fragrance is gentle and pleasant
Canus Goat's Milk Fragrance Free Bar Soap, For Sensitive Skin,  Five-Ounce Bars in 3-Count Boxes (Pack of 4)
Canus Goat's Milk Fragrance Free Bar Soap, For Sensitive Skin, Five-Ounce Bars in 3-Count Boxes (Pack of 4)
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Canus Goat's Milk Soaps are our original products. They are available in a fragranced as well as a fragrance-free version. A 5 ounce bar ( 3 X 5 Oz. ), it is triple-milled for hardness and is very long lasting. Fragrance Free, no odor masking agents added

Features

  • Case of four boxes, each containing three 5-ounce fragrance-free bars of soap (12 total bars)
  • Made with naturally homogenized farm fresh goat milk (not powdered)
  • Triple-milled soap is created to be hard and long lasting
  • Fragrance free for sensitive skin
  • Manufactured in Canada from goats milk processed north of Montreal
Canus Goat's Milk Soap, Fragrance Free Moisturizing Soap for Sensitive Skin (1.5 oz) (Pack of 12)
Canus Goat's Milk Soap, Fragrance Free Moisturizing Soap for Sensitive Skin (1.5 oz) (Pack of 12)
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Goat milk’s unique protein structure, along with its capric and caprilyic acids, allow the milk’s rich emollients to be absorbed without stripping away your skin’s natural protective oils. That’s why your skin will feel not only clean, but soft and supple every time you use Canus soap. Like all of our soaps, our original fragrance bars have a pure vegetable base, are dermatologist tested and they’re phosphate-free and biodegradable. The goats were also very particular about the fragrance. Canus soap is for the whole family, so they spent a lot of time fine tuning a scent that’s not too strong or feminine. Fresh, light and grassy, everyone will love it.

Features

  • Case of 12 1.5-ounce fragrance-free bars (18 total ounces)
  • Made with naturally homogenized farm fresh goat milk (not powdered)
  • Triple-milled soap is created to be hard and long lasting
  • Fragrance free for sensitive skin
  • Manufactured in Canada from goats milk processed north of Montreal
Black Therapy 9 Bamboo Charcoal Soap featuring Activated Bamboo Carbon - 3 Bar Pack
Black Therapy 9 Bamboo Charcoal Soap featuring Activated Bamboo Carbon - 3 Bar Pack
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Description

Black Therapy 9 is a premium cleansing soap that does not contain any artificial colors or fragrances. Black Therapy 9 is made with bamboo charcoal, patented Activated Bamboo Carbon and eight other special ingredients.

Features

  • Contains Bamboo Charcoal and Activated Bamboo Carbon plus eight other Special Ingredients
  • No Artificial Colors, Fragrances, or Ingredients
  • Exfoliating, Moisturizing, and Deep-Cleansing for Your Skin
  • Anti Inflammatory, Anti Allergenic, Anti Bacterial, and Anti Viral
  • 3 3.5 oz. Bars
Coal Tar Soap Bar (Black) (110g) Brand: SoapWorks
Coal Tar Soap Bar (Black) (110g) Brand: SoapWorks
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SoapWorks Brand -Body Care-Soap/Cleanser. INGREDIENTS: Coal tar extract, tallow, coconut oil, sodium hydroxide.

Castile Bar Soap 4 Ounces
Castile Bar Soap 4 Ounces
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Since 1839, Kirk's Original Coco Castile Soap has given the consumer a high quality, all natural soap at an affordable price. Current national market research ranks Kirk's Original Coco Castile Soap as the top selling all-natural bar soap. "Castile" originally referred to the highly-prized vegetable based soap produced in Castile, Spain. For centuries this soap was considered "the soap of royalty" because of its luxurious lather and gentleness to the skin. Today, "Castile" refers to any vegetable based soap. Why ALL-Natural? - No Animal By-Products - Never Tested on Animals - Hypoallergenic - Biodegradable - No Synthetic Detergents

Features

  • 4 Ounces Bar
  • Serving Size:
Dr. Bronner - Pure-Castile Soap Peppermint, 1 Gallon liquid
Dr. Bronner - Pure-Castile Soap Peppermint, 1 Gallon liquid
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Organic Peppermint & Mentha Arvensis Oils Creates an exhilirating tingly-cool body space and increases vitality and clarity.Ingredients: Water, Saponified Organic Coconut & Olive oils (w/ retained Glycerin), Organic Hemp Oil, Organic Jojoba Oil, Organic Peppermint Oil, Organic Mentha Arvensis, Citric Acid, Vitamin EDue to increase in our shipping cost we have reduced the discount on the larger sizes of Dr. Bronners products. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience. Thank you for shopping at VitaminLife.com Soap is made by saponifying a fat or oil with a strong alkali. A fat or oil is a triglyceride, which means that three fatty acids of various carbon lengths are attached to a glycerine backbone. The strong alkali is either sodium (for bars) or potassium (for liquids) hydroxide. The saponification process is a simple one-step reaction with no waste generated: the glycerine is split off from the fatty acids, and the fatty acids combine with the sodium or potassium to form soap, while the hydroxide forms water. The result is soap, glycerin and water (no alkali remains). Quality soap-making consists in great part in choosing the right proportions of the right oils with their different fatty acids. Most commercial soaps skimp on quality because of cost, and use lots of tallow from beef fat with a little bit of coconut or palm kernel oil. Our unsurpassed soaps use olive, hemp, and palm oils instead of tallow, and use three to four times more coconut oil than commercial soaps. Saponified coconut oil generates high-lather cleansing even in hard water because it has shorter-chain saturated fatty acids. Hemp, olive, and palm based soaps make a mild, smooth, creamy lather, because these oils contain longer chain unsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids. Dr. Bronner's makes a higher quality soap i

Features

  • Does Not Contain: Detergents, foaming agents
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