Every year about this time HGTV reruns the soap making segment that I did several years ago, and after it appears on television I am flooded with emails asking how I make my soap. I spend a good part of my day answering their emails and politely explaining how and why I cannot share my soap recipe.
I am feeling a need to blog about this and hopefully clear the air on the reason why I can't share my recipe.
Firstly, I must say, television makes soap making look very easy! It's actually not that easy. It's very dangerous. You use harsh chemicals such as sodium hydroxide that can easily burn a hole into your skin if accidentally splattered on it, and it reaches over 200 degrees instantly once in contact with moisture. We have this saying around our house when making soap, "Lye Alert", so that no one enters the kitchen during this process, as the lye and water mixture produce caustic fumes which if inhaled gets trapped inside the lungs and can cause death.
Secondly, I could easily tell you how to make soap, but what's the fun in making something for the first time, if you know all the answers? To me, soap making is a personal soulful experience.
You know, when I first began making some over ten years ago, there was one book referencing soap making, which by the way is the recipe I shared on HGTV.
I would highly recommend this book over all others, as it contains wonderful soap recipes with easily found ingredients you probably have in your kitchen already.
Since that time some ten years ago, I've invested hours upon hours of research to develop my own soap recipe that contains a large amount of olive oil compared to other hand made soaps that are available. Yes, it is indeed a secret recipe, kind of like Colonel Sanders and his fried chicken!
I have no chemistry degree, so it took a considerable amount of time for me to tweak the final recipe and get it just right. It's become my baby, so to speak! Something that satisfies my creative side deep down inside my soul.
Oh one more thing I must mention in reference to all the emails I've been receiving about wanting to make soap for Christmas presents. After making soap, you must allow it to set for at least 4-6 weeks as it has a very high P.H. when first cut, and would melt very quickly at this time, it will become harder and milder each day that it cures. I have the very first bar of soap that I made over ten years ago, and it looks unchanged after all these years.
This was not meant to intimidate or discourage you from soap making. I would highly encourage you to experience for yourself the soap making magic as it will be unlike any other craft you've ever made! As long as you research a bit before making it you will be fine. I did however want to convey the fact that it is a craft that should be handled carefully and cautiously.
Happy Soap Making!
Enjoy caring and sharing holidays.
Happily,
Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)
