I have decided to make soap. I did it once in organic chem, but I want to make soap at home… and use it… and be able to give it as gifts. I was kind of wondering how you get OH- at home, but apparently that’s just lye, which means that you have to be careful with it, but it’s definitely do-able.
I started out on teachsoap.com, which was very helpful, and I decided to make Cold Process Soap. The site recommended “The Soap Maker’s Companion” by Susan Miller Cavitch, only $12.89 on Amazon.com. Thankfully, Amazon allows you to preview that book, so I was able to see what other supplies I would need.
The book said I needed:
An 8 quart stainless steel or enamel pot (for hand stirred soap–which is what I think I want to do.)
A 2-3 quart glass bowl or pitcher (I think I have this.)
2 heavy duty rubber or silicone spatulas
A good quality scale (in grams and ounces)
A good quality thermometer
Trays or molds
There were a few other items, but they can easily be purchased at a grocery/hardware store – like masking tape and wax paper.
I want to devote the pot and spatulas for soap making only, so I decided to purchase them on Amazon along with the book, I needed a scale, I’m going to use a quick read meat thermometer and *hopefully* I can get my friend to make me a wooden tray soap mold (15″ x 6.85″).
My Amazon order:
Susan Miller Cavitch’s Book
The 8 quart pot
Silicone spatulas
Scale (which can only weigh up to 11 pounds – hopefully that’s enough)
I got free shipping, which was awesome, and it all should be here in about 5-8 days according to Amazon. I’ll probably be away in Mongolia when it gets to my house (in USA), but I’ll be looking forward to making soap when I get back. I’ll also need to order lye, oils, and any fragrances or additives. I’ll probably order them on brambleberry.com (the site recommended by teachsoap.com) when I get back from Mongolia.
umm, hai, i knit you socks... 