By the 1600s, most Europeans were using soap. Soap maker guilds were formed, who carefully guarded the secrets of their trade. Not only did they cook vegetable and animal oil
Human beings have been concerned about cleanliness, to some degree, for as far back as we can tell. The earliest known proof of the existence of soap came from as early as 2800 BC. A soap-like substance was found inside clay cylinders in ancient Babylon.
Understanding soap chemistry begins with a basic knowledge of the washing agent, water. Water has surface tension that can be noticed by simple observation. The reason water beads on a surface, rather than spreading flat, is that the water molecules under
In soaps, there are a variety of ingredients used for different purposes. Starting with the basic formula, alkalis are used for mixing with oils to make the basic soap. Alkalis also enhance surfactants, neutralize acidity in other ingredients, and increas
Commercial soap is in ready supply, in every supermarket, in every city.
But is it even soap? Theres a reason why so many of these products are
called beauty bars, body bars, or moisturizing bars.
Lye has been used in soap making for centuries. It begins as a
dangerously corrosive alkaline that, when mixed with oils, is chemically
altered and becomes harmless soap, with gentle cleansing properties and
the mild and moisturizing byproduct of gl
Soap making at home is a pleasurable and popular activity that requires some specific equipment. While much of what is necessary may be found already in your own cup
Natural soaps are suitable for all skin types, especially those with sensitive skin. Natural soaps dont contain chemical additives such as alcohols, esters, low grad
If you swim in chemically treated pools
you have three options. Option 1 is to wear goggles under water to
keep your eyes from getting irritated by chlorine. Option 2 is to
simply swim without goggles underwater and suffer
A cold or the flu can cause loss of work, unavailability for social events and overall unpleasantness. There are many methods that you can apply to your daily life to help you to prevent colds and the flu. These include diet, getting enough sleep and usin
Hand washing is crucial for overall health. It is the single most preventative health promoting activity that works well for everyone. But, if you have to wash your hands often or if you live in a climate with dry air, your hands could become dry and crac
People of all ages are prone to skin blemishes, pimples and acne. There are a few tips that can help teenagers and adults alike to reduce acne and help to revitalize healthy, beautiful skin. Here are 5 of the top tips.
The skin care industry is a billion dollar industry. Anti-aging creams, serums and lotions are just a portion of the product lines that make up the industry. Soaps, cleansers, toners and
Do you remember the days of fancy hotel soap? Many travelers would forego using the high quality soaps so that they could take them home as a souvenir or to give to a loved one when returning from a trip. Sadly, those days are long gone. The quality of so
The craft of making bar soap has been around for thousands of years. Soap making is one of the oldest professions. For centuries craftsmen have found ways to create special blends that are unique and true forms of art. These helped others to tell their so
Soap carving is a fun hobby that can be enjoyed by children and adults alike. There are a few tips to creating a great and useful soap carving that can be enjoyed at home or given as a thoughtful gift.
Soap making can be an art form. Soap crafters can learn many techniques that are both traditional and new to incorporate in their own batches. There are so many ways to make soap unique and special for gifting or for your own use at home.
Do you prefer liquid soap or bar soap? Most people have strong preferences. Others use liquid soap near the kitchen sink and the bar variety near the bathroom sink. Many people simply grew up with a certain type of soap that helped to shape their preferen
Soap making is a very popular way to make gifts for the Holidays. It's fun because it allows you to use your creativity with each bar you make. There are many ways to make soap and there are many ways you can embellish your soap.
Ruined soap batches can really make me grumpy. Soap making is a lot of fun, but it is also a lot of hard work. There are common soap making mistakes that can happen to ruin a bath of soap. Below are top mistakes people make during the soap making process.
Soap making is a unique opportunity for a person to create their own soap. Soap making allows you the chance to use the exact ingredients that you like, so you dont ever have to settle. Homemade soaps often have the same exact basic ingredients, but then
The
hibiscus plant has a lot of different species. That also means that hibiscus
plants are called by a lot of different names. A few of these are Jamaica
Sorrel, Suda
Acne can
really affect your appearance. Acne affects more than half of the population
currently. Treating acne is very important since acne damage can greatly affect
t
Has this experience ever happened to you? You pick up a
beauty product that promises to treat wrinkles and give you immediate results
for a more beautiful, flawless face. You get very excited about it until you
turn it over and fin
Do you want beautiful, scrumptious skin? Beautiful skin
takes effort, but it is well worth it. Here are some ways to keep your skin
beautiful, exfoliated, and healthy.
Body acne can be a real pain. Getting rid of body acne can
be hard for certain people. It can take a lot of work on your part to get to
the point where you no longer have to deal with body acne issues. Here are a
few tips for helpi
There is no better time to restore the nutrients to your skin than the summer.
Your skin will look much better when the nutrients are restored, and it will
produce a beau
Making soap with kids can be a fun summer project. The best part is
that when you're done, they can enjoy their creation in the bathtub.
Here are some ideas on how to make colored soap with your kids.
Carving bars of soap can only be considered good clean fun! One of
the projects my cub scouts looked forward to was the day they got to
carve a bar of soap into whatever they wanted. They soon learned that
carving soap took more talent than you might t
Glycerin soap is a great craft to do with kids. The extra glycerin
in the soap produces a very moisturizing bar of soap. The clear soap
also gives you the opportunity to add extra fun by putting things into
the soap.
Long ago people figured out that water is good for cleaning things.
It also didn't take long to learn that water alone can't clean
everything. At some point, someone figured out how to make soap,
probably from animal fat that mixed with the ashes of th
Soap is a beautiful substance. It is what helps us keep our
friends, family, and jobs. With it we feel clean, happy, and healthy.
So when exactly was soap created?
Whether youre pinching your penny or looking for a new hobby, the
process of making your own homemade natural soap has attracted many. A
starter kit designed for beginners might be the best option for you if
youre just starting out. If y
If ever given the option, it is always better to use natural or
organic products. Organic food is better for your body, and with soap
it is no different. Knowing the differences between the
Are you tired of giving the same boring presents to your family and
friends? Are you tired of doing the same crafts that everyone else also
does? I was as well, and I recently found a great new one - soap making.
RainShadow Labs, 300 Port Ave, St Helens, OR 97051 Ph: 503.366.3413, fax: 503.366.3400, email: info@rainshadowlabs.com
Hours: Monday through Thursday 7:30am - 4:30pm pacific time