The Secrets of Making Soap - Goat Milk Soap 101

You can make your own handmade natural goat milk soap! Making homemade soap takes work and making goat milk soap is a little more work because you do not want your milk to scorch, but the benefits are well worth the extra effort. Some commercial soap have chemicals that irritate skin, leave soapy build-up in the shower or tub and are just plain messy. These commercial soaps do not last long and leave a mushy mess. Do not be embarrassed by these soaps. You, your household and your guests may cringe or scowl upon using these messy soaps. After all, who wants to wash their hands in a pile of mushy soap?

When making homemade soap will not have these problems. You, the soap maker, control the consistency and contents of your own soap. Your natural soap is made just for you or for whomever you would like. If you like it, chances are others will like your natural soap too! Your natural goat milk soap can be mild, moisturizing, and good for just about any skin type. How do you begin making homemade soap with all of these great qualities?

First you need the proper materials, ingredients and knowledge. After that, you follow a good step-by-step homemade soap recipe that has been tested and proven to work. You would not begin cooking a meal without the proper cookware, appliances, materials, ingredients and recipe needed. So, use the same type of planning needed to make your own goat milk soap. Some soap makers keep soap supplies on hand to sell. You may want to check their soap supplies before starting. You can do it! You will enjoy the multiple skin care benefits and healthful rewards of making your own natural soap, as well as others too!

What type of materials will you need?

o A good scale that weighs in one-tenth ounce increments
o Stainless steel stockpot
o Wooden or heavy-duty plastic spoon
o Pyrex or plastic container (large enough to hold about twice as much milk as you will use)
o Plastic gloves and safety goggles
o Box to use as a soap mold
o Stick Blender (optional)
o Thermometer measuring between 50 - 150 degrees
o Plastic Wrap or Lid
o Towels

What ingredients will you need?

o Olive Oil
o Coconut Oil
o Lard
o Milk
o Lye
o Suggested additives are: food-coloring, dried lavender buds, ground oatmeal, pumice, skin-safe essential oil

Before working with essential oils, understand that they are potent chemicals that should be respected and used with care. Why? Essential oils are bioactive ingredients. They contain natural chemicals that interact with biological systems. Never use large amounts of essential oils externally, or internally. Never use essential oils straight. Essential oils must always be diluted in carrier oil, or soap, lotion, or other buffering agent. Finally, never use essential oils without knowing what their bioactive compounds are known to do. There are multitudes of great websites that explain what essential oils can do, including when and how to use them safely.

Now that you have the proper kitchen materials, ingredients and knowledge of the importance and care of working with essential oils, you should follow a step-by-step homemade soap recipe. The amount of ingredients you use will correlate to amount of soap you want to make. This homemade soap recipe includes the specific amounts of ingredients needed to make four pounds of soap! Now, that should be plenty of soap for you, your household and your guests! Goat milk soap can lasts long!

Again, making homemade soap takes work but with the right materials, ingredients, soap making recipe and knowledge, you will know how to make soap can do it! Have fun and enjoy making your very own handmade natural goat milk soap!