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An Easy Hobby that You Can Try

by Jen Hopkins

Solid types of soap can be altered in many ways. One of the most obvious things that you can change about soap is its shape and color. This will only require using different molds and dyes for your soap. But the other properties of soap may be also altered such as its lathering properties and texture. By changing these properties, bath time can be a lot more fun or you can use different designs to use as decorations for your bathroom.

With all of the different properties of soap that you can manipulate, you would think that it is a very hard process to do. On the contrary, it is a fairly easy process that even small children can learn and take this up as a hobby, as long as the correct protective equipment is worn with adult supervision.

First thing that you will need are the ingredients and tools that you will use in making soap. You will need some oil, lye, dyes, fragrant oils, lotion and herbal leaf extracts, depending on what you want to put into your soap. You will also need molds, mixing tools, bowls, knives and protective equipment such as gloves and goggles to protect yourself from the caustic effects of lye.

Before starting with the soap making process, you also have to have knowledge about how much of each ingredient you will need. You will need to do research on the different recipes that you can use for making soap. Changing the quantity of each type of oil that you use can greatly alter the properties of your soap. You may also want to decide whether you are going to use the cold or hot process of soap making.

Starting off with soap making, you should first wear your protective equipment so that you can avoid injuries caused by contact with lye. Next, lye will need to be dissolved in water completely. Once this is done, oil can be added to the solution so that the ingredients may undergo saponification.

When the mixture is done, you may now add the extra ingredients that you want, such as the coloring dyes and herbal leaf extract. Continue stirring your mixture until your ingredients are completely distributed in the liquid. Once you are satisfied, you may now pour this mixture into molds and wait for it to harden.

Once your soap has hardened, these can be taken out of their molds and further modifications can still be done. Soap made using the cold process will still need to be aged for a month before they will be ready to use. As for soap made with the hot method, these can be used at once.

After aging, your soap is now ready to use. You may put it in your bathroom and use it when you shower, or you can just put it beside your sink to enhance the design of your bathroom. You also have the option of giving these out as gifts if you can already make soaps with excellent designs.

Jen Hopkins has worked in the skin care industry for years. She maintains websites about handmade soap recipes, and soap making instructions. If you want to contact her, you can use the contact form at one of her sites.

Published August 23rd, 2010

Filed in Hobby