Soap Works

ls in this world. Why natural soap is better than store bought soap? The biggest difference between my soap and commercially manufactured soap is the glycerin content. Commercial soaps have most - sometimes all - of the naturally occurring glycerin removed. Most commercial soap is not really soap at all. Actually, it is a detergent bar that can be harsh and drying. I make cold processed soap so here is the definition of what it is. The term cold process means that no extra heating is used during the soap making process except the melting of the solid oils. I melt coconut, Shea butters together and then add it to soft oils like olive, rice bran, coconut and castor. The heating occurs naturally when I combine the oils with the lye and water mixture. A chemical reaction called "saponification" takes place where the lye chemically reacts with the oils to make soap. It is a very precise procedure and all of the ingredients must be weighed correctly and the correct amount of lye needs to be calculated. Too much lye will give you a harsh, drying soap. I also super-fat my soaps by adding extra Shea butter or oils. Shea butter is a remarkable butter that contains a high number of "unsaponifiables". The extra Shea butter lends creamy, rich and moisturizing qualities to our soap. I also use other oils for their own unique qualities including hemp-seed and avocado oils. It takes more time to make cold processed soap and some of the fragrances and essential oils are tricky to work with. After the soap is poured, it takes at least four weeks before the soap is ready to use. Does your soap contain lye? All soap is made with lye, including glycerin soap. After soap is properly cured, there technically is no lye remaining. The chemical process called "saponification" occurs when an acid (vegetable fats and oils) meets a base (sodium hydroxide). They react with each other to form soap. How long does your soap last? Generally, homemade soap lasts a lot longer than commercial soap. This also depends on how it is stored. Homemade soap is best stored in a paper bag - not in plastic. Most importantly, keep your soap in a well-drained soap dish. I would recommend using the soap within six months for optimum freshness and fragrance, but they will last much longer.