How to Make Soap: The Two Popular Methods

If you are not aware yet, there are actually two widely-used methods of making soap. This includes the Melt and Pour Soap Making Method and the Cold Process Soap Making Method. What difference is there between the two and which should I use? Let us take a good look at each of them.

Melt and Pour Method for Soap Making

The melt and pour process of making soap is ideal for soap crafting beginners. All you need is a melt and pour soap base. You simply melt your soap base, put in additives such as fragrance and essential oils, then put inside a soap molder. Once hardened, simply take it out of the mold then start using it.

Cold Process Soap Making Method

The cold process method for soap making is the method of making soap from its actual raw materials. With the cold process method, you combine sodium hydroxide or lye with cold water then allow it to settle at room temperature. On another mixing pot, combine the oils and fats then heat the mixture at 120 degress Fahrenheit while stirring occasionally.

You then combine both solutions then thoroughly mix until the texture even out and the solution becomes thick. When it is thick enough, you can put in fragrance, colorants and other additives then stir thoroughly once again. Finally, put the soap into soap molders then allow to solidify within about 24 hours.

For an excellent outcome, it you will find it best to follow soap recipes which can be bought in in local and online craft stores. These recipes contain ingredients and tools list, together with a detailed instruction on how to make soap.

The character of the soap you make will depend on the additives you put into your formulation. For instance, you can put in tea tree essential oil to give it an anti-bacterial property, or you can add organic oats for exfoliating effect. You may also feel free to play around with soap making recipes for you to come up with a formulation that best suits your preferences.

While making soap can be as easy as 1-2-3 as long as you follow the right steps, it doesn’t mean that problems can not happen when making soap. Remember that soap making, as in all kinds of crafts will need time and experimentation to perfect.



By: andrew

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What good is a candle if you don’t have the candle making equipment to make it? Candle making can be quite easy as long as you plan ahead, get organized and of course, have everything you need in place. So get ready and get your notebook out and write down everything that you need to get while you’re at the craft store. You might even look around online and print out a list!

Some of the things you can use, you’ll  probably be able to find at home, which would be very convenient! Other things you’ll have to hunt for either online or offline. You may want to borrow some candle molds from others or even create some of your own to be truly unique! If you’re resourceful, you may even be able to substitute some items to save money and time. With the popularity of candle making, many craft stores carry starter kits that have the essentials needed for basic candle making.

As your candle making skills improve and you start to get more ambitious, then you’ll be able to upgrade your candle making equipment. After all, your candles will be so popular with family and friends that you’ll have to make more of them and may even consider selling them. Nevertheless, get your notebook out because you’ll need to start writing down these essentials:

Basics

melting pot stir sticks candle mold candle mold sealer mold cleaner digital scale thermometer wax/gel remover bottle mold release spray candle gloss coat wick pin wax scraper wick clip mini white scoops wick trimmers wax!!! (soy, paraffin, beeswax, etc.)

Extra

Additives Dye Fragrance glue dots Base leveler – straightening out crooked candles Warning labels for proper burning

By: arielbella

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