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Basic Soap Making Recipes

Soap making has become very popular lately, as it is a way of ensuring only natural healthy ingredients are used, as well as being a inexpensive and therefore frugal process. Making your own soap is very easy and at its most basic simply requires a soap making kit and some basic soap making ingredients.

There are several types of soap that can be easily made by the soapier, which includes the no cook soap balls, glycerin soap, and whipped creme soap. It is also possible to make your own laundry detergent, which is very frugal as it is very inexpensive, as well as many other types of soaps, such as liquid soap.

Soap Balls

Soap balls are very easy to make and do not require any cooking. A simple recipe for soap balls is:

3 Cups (230g) soap flakes

1 � tsp Laundry Starch

5 tbsp distiled water

Simply grind up the soap flakes using a food processor* or mortar and pestle, then mix with the laundry starch in a large bowl. Heat the water and add it to the mixture, mixing with a fork.

Then, knead the mixture, until it has a consistency similar to that of dough. Divide it into three parts and work the parts into balls using your hands. You can add a little bit of sunflower oil or another oil to your hands, as you work it into a ball.

*Always make sure you do not use the same tools to cook with that you use to make soap

Glycerin Soap

Glycerin soap is a little more complicated to make and does require cooking. It is still very simple and easy to make though:

3 Cups (420g) Grated Glycerin or Glycerin Pellets

If you use a glycerin block, make sure to grate it up otherwise, you can simply pour the pellets into a double boiler*. Make sure the water in the double boiler is simmering and allow the glycerin to melt.

Once melted, grease your mold using sunflower oil, or another essential oil, and after stirring the melted glycerin thoroughly, pour it into the mold and let it cool down for several hours.

*A double boiler makes work easier, but you can also use a heat proof bowl and a large saucepan to the same effect.

Whipped Creme Soap

Whipped Creme Soap is also very easy to make, but does require cooking. The basic recipe for whipped creme soap is:

1.5 Cups (110 g) Soap Flakes

10 tbsp Distilled Water*

1 tbsp glycerin

1 tbsp sunflower oil (Not required but produces a soap that is lighter)

Add the soap flakes and water to the top pan of a double boiler that is simmering. Add the glycerin and optional sunflower oil. Stir while the mixture melts. A chopstick makes an excellent stirrer.

While the soap is melting, grease your soap mold using sunflower oil.

Once the soap mixture has a consistency that is similar to a lumpy paste, remove it from the heat, add any essential oils, and whisk the mixture. This can be done by hand or using an electric whisk, but requires a good deal of stirring, so an electric mixer is the easiest option. Make sure you start at the lowest speed and bring it up to the highest. When it is ready, the mixture will look creamy and have a healthy froth on it.

Using a spoon, move the mixture into the mold and leave in a cool space for a few hours. To smooth the top, you can use a metal spoon dipped in hot water.

Getting Creative

The soap making techniques described above provide a very easy and inexpensive way to make soap, however they will not be heavily scented. Most people add some essential oils or other ingredients to make the soaps smell better and to better treat the skin. However, make sure to pay attention to allergies when choosing your scents.

It is also possible to change the color of your soap and make a number of simple soap colorings. It is also possible to use standard food dye or crayons. When using the natural colorings, keep in mind that some of these have a very strong scent as well.

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