HOW TO MAKE COLD PROCESSED SOAP

EQUIPMENT 

• Stainless steel saucepan 
• Wooden or plastic spoon 
• Scales - most soap ingredients are measured by weight, not volume 
• Jug - for holding oils 
• Measuring jug - for measuring water. It's ok to measure the water by volume 
• Thermometer - you can use either a milk or candy thermometer 
• Stick blender (optional) 
• Newspaper to cover your work area 

DON'T use any aluminium pots or spoons. You may use stainless steel or cast iron and your spoon may be of steel, wood or plastic.


RECIPE The recipe may change every time you make soap but the method of making it remains the same. This is the recipe I use now: 

1. 450 mls rain water, spring water or distilled water 
2. 172 grams caustic soda/lye 
3. 1000 grams olive oil 
4. 250 grams copha or coconut oil

Many soap makers wear latex gloves, goggles and a mask. I don't as I know what I'm doing and I'm very careful. Please use these safeguards while you're learning to make soap. When you're experienced, you might be able to dispense with them. Are you still with me after that warning? Soap making is a simple process that is made difficult by using lye (caustic soda). There is absolutely NO WAY to make soap from scratch without using lye. If you make sure you're alone when making soap, if you have all your ingredients measured out and have a clean and clear work area, you shouldn't have any problems. The entire process should take about 30 minutes. BTW, the process of soapmaking - saponification - neutralises the lye and by the time the soap is cured, no lye remains in the soap. 

METHOD

Lay out the newspaper over your work area.

Grease your moulds.

Put on your safety gear.Measure and weigh all your ingredients.
Weigh all your oils and place them in a saucepan.
Measure out the water and leave it in your measuring jug.
Measure out the lye into a small bowl.

Clip the thermometer onto the side of the saucepan and place on low heat on the stove. Slowly heat the oils to 50 degrees Celsius (122 F).

With the water already in the jug, carefully pour in the lye and stir gently until fully dissolved. Stand back a bit as there will be fumes coming up from this mix and it will heat up.

Now you need to have the oil at 50C and the lye at 50C (122F). When they're the same temperature, carefully pour the lye water into the oils and avoid splashing it.

Start mixing. You can either use a spoon and stir for about 20 minutes or use a stick blender and mix for about 5 - 10 minutes, making sure your blender doesn't overheat. I use an old Mixmaster (KitchenAid) as it has a very low setting that doesn't splatter. It gently stirs and reaches trace within 5 or 6 minutes. Don't use a hand beater and it splashes too much and the soap is still caustic at this stage.

TRACE

Trace is the sign you look for that the soap has become stable and is ready to be poured into a mould. Before you reach trace, the surface of the mixture will be smooth. When you reach trace, slight ripples will form on the surface and remain there. The mix should be thick, but pourable.

If you're going to add fragrance, add it when you reach trace and give it a good mix. Then pour the mixture into the greased mould. I use a resin cake form that I bought for $2 at the dollar shop. You can also use plastic ice block trays, milk cartons or any plastic shape. Make sure you grease it - I use cooking spray, and if you're using a milk carton, make sure it's absolutely clean.

If you want to colour your soap you should research this yourself as I've never coloured my soap. Food colouring is unstable and not considered suitable, you'll need to buy soap dye or use natural powders like turmeric, cinnamon or cocoa.

Once the soap is in the mould, cover it with a towel so it cools down slowly. 

The next morning, or about 15 hours later, release the soap from the mould and cut it into whatever shape you desire. 

 I just cut them into blocks with a sharp knife. I like my soap to look handmade, but many soap makers fashion their soaps to look very professional and store bought. You do what you want to do.

Place the cakes of soap on a drying rack in an area they can stay in for a couple of weeks. Turn the soap over every day to allow it to dry out evenly. I cure my soaps for about six weeks before using them. The drier they are when you use them, the longer they last. You could use your soap after a week or so, but when it gets wet it will go soft and won't last long. It's better to cure them for a few weeks. This batch made 12 hefty blocks of soap.

Courtesy:  downtoearth.ca

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WHY GOAT'S MILK COLD PROCESSED SOAP?

Goat's milk soap is a natural healthy alternative to harsh commercial soaps, which are made with detergents and artificial hardeners.  Not great for your skin.

Most people with problem skin, eczema, acne or sensitive skin find they can use goat's milk cold process soap with good results.  

It is always better if real goat's milk is used as opposed to dry or powdered milk.  Goat's milk soap is wonderful for all skin types and highly recommended for people with dry skin, psoriasis and acne. 

Milk soap is nothing new.  It has been used for centuries as a skin conditioner and cleanser.  Recently scientists believe that goat milk soap has a pH level that is closest to the skins own pH level. 

Goat milk soap is absorbed easily into the skin bringing with it moisture, restorative proteins, minerals and vitamins. 

There are 50 nutrients including A, C, B1, B6, B12 andE, minerals, citric acid, amino acids, unsaturated fatty acids, enzymes and a variety of other nutrients that revitalize and nourish the skin.  

Vitamin A is believed to slow down the effects of aging, prevent brown spots and thickening of the skin. 

Zinc contributes to the reconstruction of collagen fibers, encouraging moisture retention and assisting in maintaining the skin's elasticity.

Why we Use Aloe Vera  When we Make Our Cold Processed Soaps

What is Aloe Vera?

Aloe Vera, also known as Cape Aloe, is a succulent, short-stemmed plant with thick leaves that look like a Cactus plant. Aloe Vera has been used for hundreds of years for its medicinal benefits, and modern research is now verifying many of its healing properties. The secret of its magic lies in its high concentration of nutrients and vital substances that include water, vitamins (A, B, C, and E), more than 20 minerals, Fatty Acids, Salicylic Acid, Lignin, Saponins and Amino Acids.

What are the Benefits of Aloe Vera?
Studies have shown that Aloe Vera can effectively treat a wide range of ailments. When used externally, it is very effective at treating insect bites, acne, sunburns, rashes, scars, blemishes, sores, eczema, psoriasis and other skin infections.


Aloe Vera has been used for centuries due to the beneficial effect it has on the skin,
Aloe Vera is used all over the world for skin care and has been scientifically proven for its benefits:
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• Helps maintain natural moisture of the skin.
• Improves the suppleness and flawlessness of the skin.
• Aloe Vera is said to encourage skin rejuvenation, healing of wounds and treatment of sunburn. It is also used to help in relieving arthritis pain, improving blood circulation, reducing scarring, and has anti-inflammatory properties.
• It has been known for generations as an excellent plant to have around to help reduce inflammation, pain and itching, to accelerate wound healing, a superb penetrating moisturizing agent, helping to stimulate the body's immune system while being naturally hypoallergenic with about the same pH balance of the skin.

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Cold Processed Soaps For Diabetic Feet

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Shea butter soap meets the special cleansing and circulatory needs of diabetic feet, where skin dries out and is more prone to cracking.

Use Cold Processed Soaps with Vegetable Oils such as Olive Oil, Coconut, Palm or Sunflower Oils

Cold Processed Soaps with any of the following Essential Oils work well for diabetic feet. 

• Tea Tree Oil for fighting infections. 
• Ginger Essential Oil to stimulate circulation. 
• Lemongrass and Peppermint Essential Oils as they are anti-bacterial, cooling and smell wonderful! They also help reduce foot odor. 

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For more info, visit:

http://www.diabeteseducator.org

Make Your Own Homemade Laundry Soap  Using 1 Bar of Cold Processed Soap- No Chemicals - Just Soap - All Natural Cleaning! 
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Ingredients:

1 4-5 oz. bar cold processed bar of soap.
1 cup of borax
1 cup of washing soda
1 gallon + 1 quart of water

1. Using a food processor or manual grater, finely grate the bar of soap.
2. Bring a quart of water to a boil on the stove and slowly add the soap, stirring gently.
3. Reduce the heat and let it simmer gently until all of the pieces of soap are melted/dissolved.
4. Add the borax and washing soda and stir until they are dissolved.
5. In a separate pot, heat up the gallon of water or measure out a gallon of very hot tap water.
   1. Pour the soap/borax/soda mixture into a large container and slowly add the gallon of water to it.
6. Stir until the mixture is well mixed.
7. Let it sit overnight. It will "gel" together...kind of a custard-like consistency.  Shake the soap before each use. 

Use 1/4 cup for a front loading washer. Use 1/2 cup for a top loading washer.

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WHY ARE FRANKINCENSE & MYRRH ESSENTIAL OILS GOOD FOR YOUR SKIN?

Frankincense Essential Oil is stimulating and elevating.  Helps overcome stress. Rejuvenates aging skin by improving skin tone and returning dry and oily skin to a normal balanced state.  It firms skins, promotes healing and fights inflammation. 

Myrrh Essential Oil maintains firm skin by helping to prevent tissue degeneration.  It cools, soothes and heals.  Especially useful for chapped, cracked and infected skin. 

That's why we are happy to carry Frankincense & Myrrh Soap in our store. 

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What is Shea Butter good for anyway?

Shea Butter comes from the nut of a fruit from the karate tree that is common to West Africa.  It is effective for cell regeneration and capillary circulation.  That's why most all of the soaps I make will contain Shea Butter.  

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Olive Oil Skin and Hair Conditioning Tips: 

Here is a simple and inexpensive way to give your hair and skin a deep conditioning. 
~ Dampen hair with water. 
~ Massage approximately 1 oz. of olive oil into your hair and scalp.
~ Cover with a plastic bag and let sit for 1/2 hour. 
~ Shampoo out and condition as usual. 

For a deep penetrating skin conditioning treatment, massage olive oil into skin and let sit 10-15 minutes. Rinse off with warm soapy water. 

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