Introduction to Essential Oils for Soapmaking

Essential oils are an integral part of the soapmaking process, whether you choose cold press soapmaking or hand milled soapmaking.

Coldprocess soapmaking is dangerous, but extremely cool.

Do not take the dangerous part lightly, however. Quite honestly, I was into cold process soapmaking before I had children, but have not dared try it with children in the house.

Read this lovely and brave mother’s horrific story before you attempt cold process soapmaking with children in the house. (or if you have any doubts about how very very dangerous it is.)

Cold Process Soap Making Basics

You’ll need several things to get started:

• heavy duty rubber gloves
• long sleeved shirt
• safety goggles
• plenty of uninterrupted time and space
• 2 stainless steel bowls
• wooden spoon
• soap molds
• candy thermometer

The basic process is really simple. This increases the danger factor, however, since it is easy to forget that lye can blind you, give you third degree burns, and emits toxic fumes. Do not forget this.

Again, here is the link to one very courageous, caring mother’s horrific tale. It is on an extremely good soapmaking site called Teach Soap. I highly recommend this site, and no one asked me to say that. : )

Method:

In each recipe, you will add lye to the water, which will immediately heat up. You will melt the fat. You will cool the lye to 105 degrees fahrenheit and the fat to 110 degrees fahrenheit.

You will then add the lye to the fat, slowly, stirring constantly. You stir until trace occurs, which is the beginning of saponification.

Saponification is the alchemy in the recipe. It is where the soapmaking occurs. This step is the most crucial, and can take up to an hour.

You will then pour the mixture into prepared soap molds and allow your soap to cure.

Hand Milled Soapmaking Basics

Hand milled soapmaking sounds more involved than cold process soapmaking (doesn’t it?) but it is actually quite simple, and not dangerous at all.

You will need:

• Premade Soap
• Crock Pot
• or Double Boiler
• Wooden Spoon
• Soap Molds

Method:

You will add your soap to the crock pot or double boiler, melt with water or milk, and then add the other ingredients.

You then pour the liquid into your soap mold and cure.

This soapmaking method could be considered an extra step in the soapmaking process. You can absolutely use the soap you made using cold pressed soapmaking.

Hand Milled Soapmaking Basic Recipe #1

Hand Milled Soapmaking Basic Recipe: Crock Pot Version

Soapmaking Recipes for Essential Oils

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Nighty-Night

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