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We all need soap. It cleans and soothes our skin and makes us feel refreshed and renewed. You can find almost any type of soap, whether solid or liquid, in any type of store.
But there are some who enjoy making their own, and the reasons for that range from a great feeling of self-sufficiency to relaxation through an enjoyable hobby. It is important to note that even though the process may be relaxing to some, it is not because it is incredibly easy, as you will see.
All soap is made from at least three basic ingredients which are fat, water and lye. What makes soaps different is the types and amounts of the ingredients used. When you first begin making soap it is best to try one bar at a time, so you can experiment with adding scent and color.
To make a single bar of soap you will need 1/2 cup of soft water (if you have hard water you can treat it with a commercial softener or add a pinch of borax to it), 2 heaping tablespoons of lye, and 1 cup of melted beef fat. The lye can usually be found in grocery or department stores and the fat can be obtained from the butcher.
To prepare the fat cut it into small pieces, and over a low flame, heat it until it liquifies. After melting, strain it into a clean container.
Before continuing, be sure to put on rubber gloves, as the lye can be very caustic and irritating to the skin.
Using an enamel or stainless steel pot (lye will react with other materials), slowly add the 2 tablespoons of lye to the water, stirring with a wooden spoon. This will naturally generate a high temperature and it needs to cool to 93 degrees. In the meantime, bring the fat to a temperature of 120 degrees. At this point you slowly and steadily mix the lye and the fat in a glass bowl, stirring continually with a wooden spoon. If you wish to add glycerine to your soap, now is the time to add a few drops.
When the mixture reaches the consistency of sour cream, it is ready to be put into the mold. If you wish to experiment with scents, now is the time to add them. You can put in a few drops of scented oil (without alcohol), or petals from a favorite flower.
If you wish to make a bar of soap that floats, gently whip with an egg beater before pouring it into the mold. To make a moisturizing soap you can add a few drops of pure lanolin to mixture before pouring into mold.
Once the soap has been poured into the mold, place it in a warm location and cover the mold with cardboard or a dish towel. After 24 hours you can remove the soap from the mold, but now it needs to age properly. You need to leave it uncovered in an area with good air circulation for three weeks.
If after experimenting with the single bars you decide you would like to try your hand at a large batch, the recipe is:
6 pounds of beef fat
2 1/2 pints of water
13 ounces of lye crystals
This amount will make 9 pounds of soap. You can pour the mixture into individual molds, or, you can pour it into a large foil lined box and then later cut it into individual bars.
As you can see, making soap may not be an easy process, but it is one that is very rewarding. Soaps can be personalized with scents or flowers and in doing so, it makes a great gift.
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