eAudrey's Luxuriant Soap and Crafts
Soaps are made from lye, animal fats and/or vegetable oils, and water in a process called saponification. Store bought soaps are generally detergents that are made from petroleum instead of fats or oils. The soaps you make will be much better for your skin because you choose the ingredients. Soap making is a fun and useful hobby!
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- Basic Soaps
- Simple soaps in which the quantities of fats and oils are adjusted to produce varying degrees of texture, mildness and lathering. Additional ingredients are not necessary for saponification but can be included. This is usually only done if you do not intend to mill the soap later.
- Essential Oils
- Oils distilled directly from plant materials. Choose based on desired effect for aromatherapy and skin care properties.
- Fragrance Oils
- Synthetically produced oils that attempt to duplicate the scent of essential oils. Although they may have good aromatherapy qualities, they do not contain the other properties derived from the actual plants.
- Hand-Milled Soaps
- Soaps made by grating basic soaps and re-melting them with water. Additional ingredients are usually added during this process. These soaps allow for a greater variety and provide an opportunity for using fancy molds.
- Glycerin
- A natural by product of the saponification process. In homemade soap it is retained in the bar at about ten percent. (Manufacturers of soap usually remove the glycerin to sell it separately.) Glycerin is an emollient and humectant that draws moisture from the air and holds it to the skin.
- Curing
- The aging process soap must go through to dry over a period of at least three weeks for "fresh soap". One week is usually sufficient for the milled soap as the soap has technically cured before it is used to make the new variety. The milled soap is really drying not curing.
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- Is your household prepared for an emergency??
I added this segment years ago from my own interest in domestic preparedness. A lot of "poo pooing" from people in general about this kept me from pursuing same on this site. Too soon things hit home with several tornadoes causing devastation in nearby towns. Now people are a little more ready to hear that they need to take a little responsibility for themselves. When a natural or other disaster strikes, the government cannot take care of everyone at the same time. We need to be able to cover the basics for at least a short period of time.
Emergency Supplies: Things you may desperately need but will be in short supply.
- 3 days water supply (3 gallons per person plus one per pet) for drinking, washing and cooking. Do not use milk gallon type jugs which deteriorate quickly and are not meant for storage. Store water for less than six months. In addition, always have a few 16 oz bottles frozen that can be used to keep foods from spoiling and then for drinking once they thaw.
- 3 days food supply (include ready to eat, snack and comfort foods).
- Alternative heat source such as wood stove or propane (with necessary wood or cylinders)
- Camp style cook stove such as Coleman or Sterno with extra fuel. If you have space, there are some nice grills that also have a side burner for a pan.
- Various paper products such as diapers, toilet paper, baby wipes (many uses for these when the power is out!)
- Hand crank emergency radio/flashlight-some can even charge your cell phone. Solar-chargers and lights are very reasonably priced now which also equals less batteries to throw away. Candles...sounds like another hobby brewing here ;-)
- Matches in a waterproof container. Also, get a few of those lighters designed to light candles.
- If you have kids think about powdered milk, jars of baby food, dry baby cereal and formula.
- Back to water...if a storm is coming, fill the bath tub. You can use the water for cleaning and flushing the toilet.
- Cash! Always have some extra cash, including rolls of quarters. Who knows if the ATM will be working or if it has already been depleted by the time you can get there?
Think about a portable emergency kit, in case you must evacuate. A backpack for each family member with the basics-clothes, water bottle, snacks, and money. Don't forget some surprise comfort items like candy or a small toy, and a notebook with small pack of crayons (the 4 pack kind a kid gets at a restaurant is perfect for this).
July 26, 2011