Table of Contents
Introduction
Theres something so relaxing and gratifying about making a batch of natural soap. Not only do you feel the satisfaction of creating something lovely yourself, but you also know exactly what ingredients your soap contains because you put it all together. And with almost all the soap and shower gels sold in stores today being more chemical than natural, thats more important than ever before.
Want to make soap and just dont know where to start? We know the feeling. We searched the Internet for a year before we got up the nerve to make our first batch of soap. We devoured every article and website we came across that might help us learn how to make soap. Finally we felt ready to try that first batch of soap, and, thankfully, it was a success!
But as we made batch after batch, we had more and more questions no one seemed to have the answers to. Every time someone tried a new oil and raved about it, we bought that oil until we had a refrigerator full of 25 different oils! We had so many questionswhy use a certain oil? What makes one oil any better than another one? So we began our search again.
Then we found the answer to all our questionsSoapCalc. For the first time, we could tell how cleansing a soap was or how much lather the soap would make. Finding SoapCalc was like finding a million dollarswe were rich, richer than we could have ever dreamed, and all our questions had been answered. We know it must seem odd to get so excited over our find. But with this tool, we could fine-tune something so common and make it extraordinary.
Our soap-making journey has been one of trial, error, and success, and weve learned a lot throughout the years. Now, were thrilled to be able to share our soap-making knowledge with you. In this book, you not only learn how to make soap but also how to formulate your own soap recipes. You learn how to formulate a batch of soap gentle enough to use on a baby or one with enough cleansing for your football-playing teenage son.
We also teach you how to save money by making your own laundry soap. (And no need to worry if you have a front-load washing machinethis laundry soap is safe to use in that type of washer.) You save even more money using this natural laundry soap to clean other surfaces and items in your home. Plus, itll take the place of many chemical cleaners you might currently be using, making your home a more natural and environmentally friendly place to be.
When youve browsed through the following chapters and found the type of soap youd like to try your hand at making, please read the equipment list, ingredient list, and instructions completely before you begin. Have everything you need close at hand, including this book. Be relaxed and prepared. Soon youll understand why so many are addicted to soap-making! Good luck on making your first batch of soap. We hope weve made it as easy for you as can be!
How to Use This Book
This book is divided into three parts:
Having a good foundation is the most important key to being successful, and in Part 1, The Basics of Natural Soap-Making, we help you build a strong foundation that will set you on a path of becoming a great soap-maker. By the time youve read Part 1, youll be well on your way, bolstered with knowledge and confidence!
Bet you didnt know there were so many ways to make soap! In Part 2, Making Cold and Hot Process Soap, we give you step-by-step instructions for each type of soap-making. Weve included many recipes for you to experiment with. Try them all out and find the method you like best. And dont be afraid to try your hand at making liquid soap, too. Weve made it simple, and the rewards are many.
Part 3, Getting Creative with Your Soap, is when we have some fun! Roll up your sleeves and learn to swirl beautiful colors in your soap batches. Your children can join in on the fun with melt-and-pour soaps, too. Theres no lye used, so the littler ones can have fun making soap safely.
Extra Bits
Throughout the book, youll see nuggets of extra information, neatly packaged in sidebar boxes. Heres what to look for:
From the Soap Pot
Check these boxes for fun tips and tricks to make soap-making easier.
Lather Lingo
These boxes contain definitions of soap-specific terms you might not know.
Safety First
Heed the warnings in these boxes so your soap-making experience is a safe one!
Soap Stats
These boxes offer a little more information and fun facts.
Acknowledgments
Zonella and I both would like to say a special thank you to Ken Bower for creating SoapCalc. You opened a whole new world for soap-makers!
I would like to dedicate my part of this book to my family, for all their support and help. My mother, Iris Wyman, thank you for being such a great mom. My husband, Mark Trew; my children, Doug, Carissa, and Alicia; my son-in-law Keith; and my grandchildren, Hunter, Trenten, Shawn, Trinity, Sydney, and Pacey, I love you all. A special thanks to Sandra Morrow and all our list mates on the Apple! Your support and encouragement have meant the world to me! And lastly, K. C. Massey, thanks for all your help with my computer and for always being willing to test my formulations.
Sally Trew
I would like to dedicate my part of this book to my family, for all their support and help. From Darrell and Dan and their families to sisters and brother and all the local people that have given nothing but encouragement.
Zonella Gould
Trademarks
All terms mentioned in this book that are known to be or are suspected of being trademarks or service marks have been appropriately capitalized. Alpha Books and Penguin Group (USA) Inc. cannot attest to the accuracy of this information. Use of a term in this book should not be regarded as affecting the validity of any trademark or service mark.
Part 1
The Basics of Natural Soap-Making
Taking the first step to making homemade soap is a start to an adventure. But as with anything you want to do, and do well, you need a good foundation. In Part 1, you begin building that strong foundation and take the first steps on the path to becoming a great soap-maker. You learn all about the oils and butters used to make soap and how to use SoapCalc to formulate your soap batch recipe. We also look at the fragrances and essential oils you can use and then cover the molds you pour all your delicious-smelling concoctions into.
By the time youve finished Part 1, youll be ready to make your very first batch of soap!
