Are you planning to make your soap at home? If you do, then you have to secure the needed materials to use. There are different types of soap making kit that are readily available from your stores near or around your kitchen. But, you have to know what kind of kit you should be buying. Soap making kits were also made to be availed and enjoyed by adults and kids.
Before proceeding to the soap making, make sure that you know the process and its science to guide you on which kit you have to focus on. Since there are techniques in soap making, the required materials also vary. Here is the list of equipment for your soap making kit for best results.
- Safety Kit
If you are a first-timer, safety is the number one rule in soap making. All soap making kits should have safety tools because it is essential to ensure your safety. Lye is always present as a base solution in soap making. It has a corrosive substance that when it gets in contact with your skin, could cause burns and other serious injuries. For you to avoid this from happening, you have to wear a mask, rubber or latex gloves, protective goggles, wear a long sleeve and apron. Your skin must be covered as much as possible.
- An Accurate Scale
A key to successful soap making is producing the correct measurement. The weight of oil, liquids, lye, and additives is measured and not by volume. Accurate measurement is an important step and improvising is not advisable. Measuring cups are not one of the options as well.
- Thermometer
Lye and oil solutions must be taken care of by measuring the correct temperature. For every recipe of your soap batter, the temperature may change from room temperature. An accurate and quick-reading thermometer will also avoid the exposure of the soap batter.
- Containers for Measuring and Mixing
Listed below are the different containers that were used to measure and mix the soap batter. These are essential in storing and heating to prevent any unwanted accident during the soap making process.
- Plastic Cups
You can use containers for mixing the solutions. A disposable plastic cup is good to use because it gets contaminated by sodium hydroxide and does not need a thorough cleaning. It cannot be used all over again so it needs to be disposed of properly.
- Stainless Steel And Glass Containers
It is safe to use steel containers for storing fragrance or essential oils, colorants, separated soap, and dissolving the lye. The glass containers are more heavy-duty wherein you can pour the lye and mix it. Containers that are used for microwave ovens are also necessary depending on the method you have chosen.
- Soap Pot
This pot is used basically in mixing fats with lye and for saponification. Saponification is a process of converting fat and oil into soap and alcohol through heating with the presence of aqueous alkali. This pot must be lye-resistant and deep to prevent any splash during the mixing of the soap batter.
- Stick (Immersion) Blender
You can mix the formula by hand. By using an immersion blender, it is your life-saver and will not get your hands to become tired after mixing for hours. Saponification is a long process of mixing oils and lye and the blender will help you cut down the time. You have to choose the durable stick blender.
- Heavy-duty Spoons And Spatulas
Spoons and spatulas are your best support when combining lye with oils and other mixture needed in soap making. You always want to get rid of the residue from your containers and these tools will scrape it. It is also a good choice if you use a spatula with a long handle.
- Double Broiler Or Microwave Oven
These are used for the hot process of soap making. These will be needed depending on the soap making method you have chosen to follow.
- Soap Mold And Soap Cutter
You can use boxes big enough to secure the soap mold. Since the mold will become hard within twelve to twenty-four hours after pouring, get a kitchen knife, scraper, or professional soap cutters.
- Mesh Teaspoon
This tool can be used to add up a design to your soap. You can choose any colorant and let the mesh teaspoon do its exceptional line designs.
- Strainer With Funnel
This helps you pour the soap batter into the soap mold to avoid spilling. You can use this as well as a guide for designing your soap.
- Paper Towels
These are very important as part of your safety since every time that there is a splash from the lye solution and raw soap, you have to wipe it immediately to avoid skin burns.
- Vinegar
Always prepare a bottle of vinegar to neutralize your countertop from spills of excess sodium hydroxide.
CONCLUSION
Soap making when done correctly can make a huge impact on you and your family. It is the best way to avoid allergies because you can control and determine the chemicals you mix in your soap. There is no limit to soap making and you can do it with your kid and friends. Just do not forget to have a complete soap making kit. Make sure to check out on Storables.com for more ideas!