We will discuss the basics in starting up and creating your own soap.

1. Equipment

To begin your soap making expedition you will require a few key pieces of equipment. Generally you will require: A heat resistant glass bowl, stainless steel pot, food thermometer, moulds, kitchen scales, blender, safety goggles, and rubber gloves.

2. Ingredients

Although all recipes will differ the majority of soaps will include the following ingredients:

• Lye: Lye is required to be 100% sodium hydroxide to accommodate additives.

• Water: Distilled or rain water is best.

• Fat and Oil: Many different fats and oils can be used in soap preparations. They will have an effect on the moisturising and lather properties of the soap.

• Fragrances and Additives: This is where your creative touch will influence the appearance, texture and fragrance of the soap.

3. The Process

There are many ways on making soap. These include: Cold process, hot process, melt and pour, and re-batching. For the beginner the easiest soap making method would be the melt and pour method. It requires no handling of the dangerous chemical lye, as the actual soap compound is already made. Once you have developed confidence and competence with the basics it is worthwhile experimenting with the other production methods.

4. Recipes

There is an abundance of recipes available and they can easily be found on the internet. As you develop your skills you will be able to experiment and add personal touches to existing recipes.

Once you start to use handmade soap you realise how great it is, and how much better your skin feels. Furthermore making soap is affordable and easy to make. In many ways, soap making is the same as making a cake. You simply follow a recipe and once you become more competent you can experiment and implement your own ingredients to produce your own unique product. While there are various methods of soap making you will discover your favourite method following time and experimentations.