Reader review and hands on with bath bombs!

Bath bombs from the Soap Making Advice ebook recipes
Recently a fellow blogger wrote a review of the Soap Making Made Easy ebook package and shared it on her blog, including a hands on review of the soap making process, producing her first batch of bath bombs! Here's the recipe that Alyssa used, based on one of the 50+ recipes included in the Soap Making Made Easy ebook package: Ingredients 1 part citric acid 2 parts baking soda Witch Hazel Colorant Fragrance Dome-shaped mold (I used mini-cupcake tins) And the final result looks great, Read more

The Basic Soap Making Ingredients

All soaps consist of a few key ingredients. Photo courtesy of Flickr user Foot Fingers
All soaps consist of a few key ingredients. Photo courtesy of Flickr user Foot Fingers Soap-making is a delicate process, but the ingredients used to make soap are fairly simple: oils, lye, water, fragrances, colorants, and other, optional additives. The fats and oils used in soap can be derived from either animal or vegetable fat. Typically, soaps made from vegetable oils are softer than those made with animal fat. The most useful oils for soap-making are fixed oils - oils that can be raised Read more

Soap Making Method: Precautions For Working With Lye

Lye is an essential ingredient in soap making but it can be quite dangerous. Photo courtesy of Flickr user maoquai
Lye is an essential ingredient in soap making but it can be quite dangerous. Photo courtesy of Flickr user maoquai In Lye Soap Making Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) or potassium hydroxide (KOH), commonly known as lye, are essential ingredients for making soap. However, lye in all its forms can be quite dangerous, and there are certain precautions which must be taken when working with lye. Lye is very dangerous if spilled. It is a corrosive material, and can burn skin, or any other surface it comes Read more

Soap Making Basics – How to Make Homemade Soap

Lye is one of the fundamental ingredients of soap making, so it's important to understand how to use it properly
Lye is one of the fundamental ingredients of soap making, so it's important to understand how to use it properly. Photo courtesy of flickr user maoquai. Soap making is not only a hobby, it can also be an addiction. You will no doubt be hooked once you start making that first batch of soap (here's our free suggested recipe). Whether you choose to make soap for personal use or for holiday gifts, it is always better to be knowledgeable of the general process. This post outlines the basics Read more

Making Your Own Herbal Soap With A Free Soap Recipe!

Anyone can make herbal soap at home, with ingredients that are readily available in any grocery store or supermarket. Photo courtesy of flickr user nico paix.
Anyone can make herbal soap at home, with ingredients that are readily available in any grocery store or supermarket. Photo courtesy of flickr user nico paix. Herbal Soap Making has become very popular in recent times, although herbal soaps have been pushed out of the spotlight somewhat since the invention of synthetic soap making processes, which tend to yield a more consistent and cheaper product. However, there are still many reasons to make your own herbal soap. You have control over the Read more

Soap Making For the Holidays, And A Free Recipe!

Photo courtesy of Flickr user theogeo Christmas is just around the corner! Have you found the perfect Christmas gifts yet? Why not make your own gift with elegant soaps your family and friends will love and cherish. With simple soap making recipe you can easily create elegant soaps. Here is a simple soap making recipe for those of you who haven't tried making soap yet. A lovely gift idea for friends and family would be to make your own homemade soap. A personalized gift that you made Read more

Scenting Your Soap – Fragrance Oils And Essential Oils

Fragrance oils are a great way to add a personal touch to your homemade soap. Flickr Markhillary
Fragrance oils are a great way to add a personal touch to your homemade soap. Photo courtesy of Flickr user Markhillary. Scenting your homemade soaps is a great way to personalise your soaps, but with such a wide variety of options is a matter of personal preference. There are two varieties of oils that can be used to scent soap: fragrance oils, and essential oils. Either can be used, according to the preferences of the soap maker. This article will give an idea of the benefits of each type Read more

Scent Your Homemade Soap With Soap Making Oils

There are many scents, such as beeswax, you can use to personalise your soap (photo courtesy of flickr user Cuttlefish)
There are many scents, such as beeswax, you can use to personalise your soap (photo courtesy of flickr user Cuttlefish). After you understand the basic soap making ingredients and have mastered a basic soap recipe, you can further personalise your homemade soaps by adding soap making oils. This article will give an idea of the benefits of adding oils to your soap, but for our comprehensive post on essential oils, fragrance oils, example oils, their properties and quantities to add to your soap Read more

Soap Making Basics: Soap Ingredients

Soap Making Basics: Soap Ingredients
Before you try to experiment with your homemade soap it's important to understand the basic soap ingredients - photo courtesy of flickr user mommyknows. There are a variety of reasons that people decide to make their own soap. Some do it for a greater degree of customization; some because commercial soaps are too harsh for their skin; still others because it's a fun and rewarding hobby. To get started making your own soap, you will need to consider three things: * Your ingredients; * Read more

Soap Making Fragrance Oils

Fragrance oils are a great way to add a personal touch to your homemade soap. Flickr Markhillary
Fragrance oils are a great way to add a personal touch to your homemade soap. Photo courtesy of Flickr user Markhillary. Scenting your homemade soaps is a great way to personalise your soaps, and with such a wide variety of options is a matter of personal preference. There are two varieties of oils that can be used to scent soap: fragrance oils, and essential oils. Either can be used, according to the preferences of the soap maker. Fragrance oils are made from a mixture of aroma chemicals. Read more