Introduction to Soap Making

Hey Everybody,
I though I might as well kick things off with an Introduction to soap making. That's what we are here for...I visit this great site (www.colebrothers.com) that has lots of original how to make soap recepies and other info. Here's what they said about the basics:

Soap is made by mixing lye and water with fats or oil. Through a complex chemical reaction lye which is also called sodium hydroxide (a base) converts Fats or Oil (an acid) to soap. This process is called saponification. When oil or fats (acid) come into contact with the lye or sodium hydroxide (base) the saponification process begins with the lye turning the oil/fat into a completely new substance that we know as soap. The process changes the two substances into a thicker and more uniform solution. The point at which the solution begins to thicken is called a trace. Any oils/fats or other ingredients added at this point will not be substantially converted and will basically remain in the soap in their original form. At the trace stage the soap can be poured into molds where it will continue to harden. The chemical reaction will continue for about 3 weeks at which time the soap is hard and ready to use.

Thanks for that, Cole Brothers. Read more here:

How to make soap plus free soap formulas

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