Soapmaking supplies from AquaSapone Australia
Are you interested in making your own soap?

...So you want to know what is natural handmade soap and why should you bother buying it, using it and maybe even making your own!

The soapmaking process used by handmade soap manufacturers like us is much more complex, delicate and labour-intensive than industrial soap manufacturing. Natural handmade soap cannot be mass-produced, and finding the right ingredients and methods to obtain a quality product can be challenging.

In the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section below, you will find revealed the basics of soapmaking, as we have been explaining daily to thousands of people who would like to find out more about natural handmade soap.

What is soap?
Does soap have to be made with lye?
Why is handmade soap different from store bought soap?
What is the difference between natural soap and glycerin soap?
Where can I learn how to make soap?
Do you supply soap recipes?
Can you suggest a quick and easy method to make soap?
How long does it take to learn?
Do you provide soapmaking classes or workshops?

soap making explained, soapmaking instructions, how to make soap, soap recipes

1. What is soap?: Soap is the product of a chemical reaction between an alkali, dissolved in water, and a special type of mild acids called fatty acids, which are the main components in vegetable oils and animal fats. In chemistry terms, soap is a water soluble salt. The water and alkali solution is commonly called lye. For further details, you can refer to the Soap Naturally book, where soap chemistry is clearly defined and explained in layman terms.
2. Does soap have to be made with lye?: Yes, always. And don't let them lye to you: if someone tells you that his or her "soap" was not made with lye, then what they are making or selling is not "soap". The Soap Naturally book and the Soap Master's Blog further explain the reasons why some people chose to give lye a bad name... which it does not deserve!
3. Why is handmade soap different from store bought soap?: The key selling point for mass produced soap bars is their shape; other major considerations are colour and scent (or chemical stench, according to our favourite Soap Master :-) . In order to obtain the appealing shapes and colours of industrial soaps, the saponification reaction is followed and complemented by several steps, which increase visual appeal but typically lower skin-friendliness. One of these steps is the removal of glycerine (glycerol), a by-product of saponification, which instead remains in handmade soap and contributes to making it milder and more suitable for people with sensitive skin. In other steps, specialised chemicals are added to the soap paste - so as we like to put it, What is good in handmade soap is what is NOT in it! The Soap Naturally book describes in detail the difference between industrial and handmade soap.
4. What is the difference between natural soap and glycerin soap?: Industrial bases that can be "melted and poured", and the resulting Melt & Pour (M&P) bars are often mistakenly referred to as glycerin soap. Naturally handmade soap is the only authentic, genuine and true glycerine soap. More myths and misnomers surrounding the world of natural soapmaking are discussed in the Soap Master's Blog.
5. Where can I learn how to make soap?: The book Soap Naturally - Ingredients, methods and recipes for natural handmade soap is the best way to approach handmade soapmaking and natural skin care. Written by two experienced Soap Masters of international fame, Soap Naturally provides reliable information on ingredients and tools, step-by-step instructions for all modern soapmaking methods, true and tried soap recipes, comprehensive lookup Tables and topical suggestions on how to develop your own soaps, creams, lotions, ointments and lip balms. With the Soap Naturally book, you can learn how to make soap in your own kitchen, at your own pace and with the moral support from thousands of Soap Naturally soapers all around the world!
6. Do you supply soap recipes?: Yes. You can refer to the soapmaking instructions provided on this Website for basic information and recipes. Also, numerous step-by-step soap recipes, including liquid soap and melted soaps are included in the Soap Naturally book; a huge soap recipe archive is available on the Soap Naturally Web, which also offers natural skin care information and recipes; and you will be able to keep up to date with new soap recipes and expert suggestions by subscribing to the Soap Master's Blog.
7. Can you suggest a quick and easy method to make soap?: In short, no. Soapmaking is not difficult, but there are secrets, which are either discovered after years of hands-on practice, or through reading and becoming familiar with authoritative books such as Soap Naturally. If you wish to make soap without having to use caustic soda, the best way to start is by purchasing a natural handmade soap base and learning how to rebatch the natural way. The Soap Master's Blog teaches how to use, rebatch, melt and use natural handmade soap for personal care and as a multipurpose household cleaner.
8. How long does it take to learn how to make soap?: Not long. Your mileage would vary depending on whether you wish to make soap for yourself and your family only, or are planning to turn it into a profitable hobby or business. If you follow without changes the step-by-step soapmaking instructions and soap recipes in the Soap Naturally book, you will be able to obtain fantastic results right from your first batch. The Soap Naturally book also gives you invaluable help in understanding your ingredients, developing custom recipes and learning how to obtain consistent results, which are key concepts where soapmaking becomes the scope of a business situation. Soapmaking as a business is also one of the topics discussed in the Soap Master's Blog.
9. Do you provide soapmaking classes or workshops?: Not at this stage. If you would like to be kept informed of possible future developments in this field, we suggest that you subscribe to the Soap Master's Blog.

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Soapmaking supplies
NSW, Australia
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last update 28 feb 2007

Soapmaking supplies from AquaSapone Australia Are you interested in making your own soap?

...So you want to know what is natural handmade soap and why should you bother buying it, using it and maybe even making your own!

Soapmaking supplies from AquaSapone Australia
Are you interested in making your own soap?