 - Last login: 9 months agoWritetouch
- Lorraine is a 57 year old woman from Lowell, Massachusetts, USA.
- Likes 25 pages • 4 fans
- Member since Jul 04, 2007
Favorites » Her Blog
-
-
How To Make Soap - Soap Making Supplies
When first starting out and just learning how to make soap, it is important to make sure that you buy the correct tools and supplies. While you don't have to spend a fortune on these there are a few essential tools that you will need.
Basic Supplies
Depending which process used in making your soap (the cold or hot processes), the tools that you will use will differ. Rather that listing the tools needed for both processes, I will be telling you about just the basic tools needed regardless of what process you will choose. In future articles I will detail each process on it's own with its unique set of tools.
Since you will be working with harsh chemicals, it is important to choose the right material of tools. In other words, because lye is used in the making of soap, it should never be mixed in containers that are made of metals except for stainless steel. If mixed in other metal type containers, it will degrade the metal and embed fragments of that metal into your soap.
Material Safe To Use in Making Soap
Always choose mixing containers, molds, bowls, pots, stirring utensils etc. in stainless steel if possible. It is also agreeable to use tools and containers made from ceramic and glass. Heavy plastic is also an acceptable material to use. Remember to use the right materials for the job.
Basic Tools Needed
As I said earlier, this list of the basic tools needed is a neutral list. It doesn't apply to just one process. It is just meant as a good starting point to have you gather the right basic supplies needed in soap making. You will need:
* A container to mix your "recipe" in. Remember that it should be stainless steel, ceramic, glass or heavy plastic.
* A pot to heat ingredients in (if you use the cold process, you will use the microwave). Remember that the pot should only be stainless steel.
* Stirring utensil (again, use stainless or plastic)
* A Spatula (use a heavy rubber one with a plastic or wooden handle). This helps to scrape the mixture out of the mixing container easily.
* A ladle (use stainless steel) to scoop the mixture into the molds.
* Candy or meat thermometers (you will need 2). You will use one when checking the temperature of your fat mixture and one when checking the lye mixture.
* Measuring utensils such as measuring spoons and you will need a good scale.
* Safety equipment such as gloves, pot holders, covering for your work space, eye goggles and covering for your clothes.
* And of course you will need some kind of soap molds. There are a variety of shapes, sizes and materials available. Make sure to choose a mold appropriate to the process you are using for making your soap. In other words, if using the hot process, you will need molds that hold up to high temperatures.
Quick Tip
You can use various mixing containers that have a pouring spout to pour into your molds. If you do, remember to make sure it is made of one of the safe materials mentioned her. It is always important to use the right tools and equipment when learning how to make soap.
To your soap making success!
Lorraine Cote
howto-makesoap.blogspot.com [howto-makesoap.blogspot.com]
Copyright 2007
This article may be reprinted as long as resource box and content are not altered.
Lorraine Cote is an avid soap making enthusiast and freelance writer.
|
Her Favorites
Add her as a friend >
writetouch's blog