Tips and Wisdom of Soap Making

Today In Connecticut, it is a rainy dreary day but a great day to make soap! I got busy collecting my ingredients and equipment to make a batch. My scent of the day was Citrus and Honeysuckle. I came up with this scent while on a trip to Port Jefferson, Long Island in NY many years ago. We ventured into a soap shop and they had a hand lotion bar where you could make your own scent. I came up with this combination as it was summer. 

As I was making my soap I gave thought to how many years I have been making my soap. It's been over 25 years now. Not much has changed but I have learned and changed some things along the way, like pouring my lye and not breathing as I do it! The chemical reaction that quickly takes place releases fumes that can be overwhelming for just about a minute, so I take a deep breathe and hold, then walk away.

I purchased these measuring cups with a funnel like spout pourer some time ago that makes pouring great!

Using an old enamel pot is the best. I only use this pot for soap making. As you can see it's warn but still turns out a great batch of soap.

Using silicone liners is a time saver. Not all my molds have them so using freezer paper works the best. Lining the base first and then the sides works the best. 

The best discovery I have made to date is the submersible mixer! This has literally been a game changer! This mixer has cut my mixing time ten fold! I get a trace in a matter of a minute or two versus an hour with hand mixing! 

I once had a hand thermometer until the digital was invented! My glass one burst one day so I began looking into a new one and discovered this! It has a stainless steel probe that is safe even to submerse in the lye. It also is a game changer.

Also adding certain oils into already poured soap if it is a fast setting oil is another game changer. Some oils set very quickly, such as fragrance oils can begin setting your soaps before you even pour them. Essential oils take much longer to set. Knowing what oil you have and how it will behave in your soap making process is key. Often when purchasing oils from a reputable soap supply company they will tell you how your oil will react.

My journey in soap making has been a long and winding road, one that has taught me so much as I have gone along. I've tried other recipes but often come back to my long loved version that has taught me so much as I have gone along. Learning, adapting and changing is always a big help to what we do!