OK... where to start?!... I am starting this blog with the aim of logging the progress of what I hope will become my new hobby... soap making! I am new to both soap making and blogs so who knows if I will stick at either - but my intentions are good! I suppose I should start with the reasons why I have decided to try and make my own soaps. I have been vegetarian for more than 10 years now and although I have been a strict vegetarian with my diet and clothing, I must admit that I haven't put to much thought into cosmetic goods. Of course, I avoid products made from manufacturers that test on animals, but in all honestly I had not fully considered the what goes into store bought soaps - not just the possibility of animals products, but also potentially harsh chemicals and ecologically unsustainable products. I also find that the soaps I use are hit and miss with my skin - some doing their job fine, others bringing me out in a nasty rash so would like to investigate exactly what it is that causes this. The last reason, but probably the most important is sustainability. I think that we have become far too detached not only from the processes behind the vast array of "stuff" we consume but also impact that the "stuff" has on our environment, take for example the clear cutting that goes on in the palm industry that is destroying what is left of our rain forests. If I can produce sustainably sourced soaps for close friends and family, then in my own small way I may be helping rather than contributing to the problem...it is a start at least.
Myself and my partner (who is vegan) have been chatting about this for a few weeks now, but I must admit to initially being more sceptical than him as assumed it would require expensive specialist equipment. However, while on my lunch break at work last week, I found myself reading a few sites on soaps and the different soap making methods and thought we would give it a go! I have since read many different online guides and tutorials about the different methods of making soap (i.e. cold process, melt and pour...) and have decided that we want to make the soap from scratch therefore the cold process method is for us.
So whats the plan?! Well, I had hoped to get started this weekend, and had gathered/bought most of the equipment and materials to make a basic soap: stainless steel pot, jugs and bowls, stick blender, scales, soap mould, oils, butters and lye.... only to realise that still needed a thermometer (or 2) and distilled water! So, with any luck we will make our first batch later this week instead. Although a little frustrating, this delay is not all bad as it will give me time to decide on our first (simple!) soap recipe. I want to start with a soap that does not have any colours or fragrance added so that I can concentrate on getting the method right (I hope!).
So that's it for now. I plan to be back soon with a basic soap recipe, and details of my first attempt... My aim is to be able to produce beautiful vegan friendly soaps which look as wonderful as these:
but I know that this is still a long way off... but I can dream cant I?!
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