eAudrey's Luxuriant Soap and Homemaking
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 distillates, not fats or oils. The soaps you make will be much better for your skin than commercial soaps because the natural moisturizing quality in the fats and oils is retained. Even the good commercial soaps cannot compare as they remove the glycerin and sell it to cosmetics companies. Overall, soap making is a fun and useful hobby! The supplies used in soap making are also a good contribution to your overall homemaking activities. There is much duplication in making cleaning products, for example.
Definitions...
- 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.
This is a good opportunity to make sure your household is prepared should some type of emergency occur. There are some basic precautions to take regardless of whether the emergency is flood, fire, earthquake, power outage, or some "man made" crisis.
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.
- Various paper products such as diapers, toilet paper, baby wipes (many uses for these a when the power is out!)
- Hand crank emergency radio/flashlight-some can even charge your cell phone. That reminds me, make sure you have a phone that does not rely on electricity for power outages. The cell phone is good but there good be trouble with cell service in certain situations.
- Matches in a waterproof container. Also, get a few of those lighters designed to light candles. While we are on the subject, batteries, flashlights, and candles.
- If you have kids think about powdered milk, jars of baby food, dry baby cereal and cans of formula (even if you don't normally use it...what if you can't get home when planned.)
- Back to water...if a storm is coming, fill the bath tub. You can use the water for cleaning and flushing the toilet.
- If you have an alternative heat source make sure you have the wood, coal, pellets or whatever to fuel it.
- 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, small toy, and a notebook with small pack of crayons (the 4 pack kind a kid gets at a restaurant is perfect for this).
This is a short list to start. I will be adding other items and suggestions. One thing we should not run short of is soap! That is one advantage to having a craft hobby such as this. We "soap people" have extra quantities of soap and cosmetics and the raw materials to make more.
June 20, 2008