soap making essentials

by Rita for BoomerYearbook.com, December, 2008 – I am dreaming of a Green Christmas…as it’s very rare to experience a white Christmas in Spain.  However, green is in, and here are some tips to help make this an environmentally friendly festive season…

Christmas Tree

If you are aiming for an environmentally friendly Christmas, one of the first things you should do is decide NOT to have a Christmas tree.  It sounds drastic, but plastic trees are not biodegradable and real trees, while they originate from sustainable sources, are often treated with chemical pesticides, which are harmful to the environment.

First of all, question the reason why you want a Christmas tree.  Yes, it looks attractive and adds festive cheer, but it is also traditionally the place under which presents are kept.  If you are feeling the pressure from your family to put up a tree, try reassuring them that they will still get their presents, but this year you are going to think of a more original place to store them.  How about reverting the time-honored stocking? Or making a treasure hunt with clues, so that everyone has to find their gifts?

If you are determined to have a tree this year, then the best option really is a genuine one.  Although, do try and purchase it as locally as possible, so that it has not had to travel in a CO2-belching truck for miles on end (this rule should be applied to every purchase you make, from food to Christmas presents).  If you can get one with roots that are compatible with the soil in your back garden – even better – then you can re-plant it after Christmas (as long as you don’t leave it standing inside for longer than a week).

If you are a gardener, then after the festive season, you should consider using your Christmas tree to make compost; eventually it will decompose into a nutrient-rich mulch that you can use to feed other plants in your garden.

Tasty Decorations

The ultimate in recyclable decorations are edible ornaments.  Nothing goes to waste because you get to eat them after (or during) Christmas. Bake dough biscuits, which are sticky in texture, as opposed to crumbly, and make a small hole about one cm from the edge and thread a thin, colored ribbon through the hole.  you can then tie the ribbon so it forms a loop and hand the biscuit from the tree.  If you are worried about the biscuit drying out, simply wrap it in cling film before you thread the ribbon through.

Lighting Up

These days we should all be turning off the standby button on our electrical appliances at home. Household lighting accounts for approximately 15 percent of electricity used, and Christmas tree lights left on for 10 hours a day over the 12 days of Christmas produce enough carbon dioxide to blow up 12 balloons.  You can save money on electricity by cutting down on consumption at Christmas.  This does not mean giving up the fairy lights, but instead, choose LEDs (light-emitting diodes) as opposed to incandescent bulbs for adding that Christmas twinkle.  They are pricier, but they use between 80 to 90 percent less energy than conventional bulbs.  An added bonus is that LED’s stay cool to the touch and so are less of a fire hazard and also won’t burn your finger.

It’s a Wrap

Christmas is a time when paper is wasted in incredible amounts. According to an online article published in the Guardian.co.uk in December 2006, 8,000 tons of paper are wasted each year, which is equivalent to 50,000 trees.  We agree that no one wants to receive their presents wrapped in old newspaper, but there are more creative means to disguise a gift without having to buy new wrapping.

Use paper shopping bags and decorate them with old video or cassette tape in place of ribbon, for a vintage look (you can curl the tape with scissors, as you would a ribbon).  Forage in your junk drawer and use old bits of string, shoe laces or anything you can find that’s long enough to tie round a box.

Give two presents in one, use a shawl, tablecloth or another item of clothing to wrap up other gifts.  The outer layer won’t be a surprise, but what’s inside will be, and you will get extra points for generosity (two gifts in one) and creativity! Another alternative is to buy recycled paper, which is available at the click of a button online – and you can also get the trimmings.

Here is another way to look at Christmas gifts: do your gifts have to be solid items that need wrapping? You can treat friends and family to virtual gifts vouchers or buy them downloads for music websites. A novel idea is to buy gifts fro those who are really in need. Visit www.oxfam.org.uk and see their “Oxfam Unwrapped” page where you can buy really useful presents, in all shapes and sizes, for people in need all over the world. Items include bars of soap, bags of seeds, donkeys and training courses for farmers and fishermen.  This is an ingenious way to really make a difference.

Sending Christmas cards obviously uses a lot of paper.  In Britain, estimates say that 1.7 billion Christmas cards are sent each year; the equivalent of 200 000 trees! And of these, about one million Christmas cards are thrown away each year.  Needless to say, it is far better to recycle your cards, or choose to send an e-card or text message instead.  this is also cheaper.

Tasty Turkey

A huge amount of turkeys end up on the dining room table at Christmas: figures show that 10 million are consumed in the UK.  We recommend that you try and buy an organic turkey, which will have been raised in humane conditions and consequently, will be much tastier.  Shopping locally will cost less than buying from the supermarket, although, in Spain this might be more difficult given that turkey is not a traditional Spanish festive food.  Approach your local butcher early to improve your chances of getting a tasty turkey.  We hope these tips are useful and that you enjoy a GREEN FESTIVE CHRISTMAS

Seeking more tips? Come join boomeryearbook.com

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If not then where is the cheapest place to find them?
Where can I buy the melt and pour bars or can you make your own somehow?

probably not – craft stores – and consider the candy and candle molds, too for fun/different mini soaps

I went and got the "Candle and Soap making guide for dummies." and I would like to try soap making. I plan to use the step that has uses no lye. What I would like to do is add the base with lavender aromatherapy and then swirling purple dye in the white.
Tips from your expersinces would be nice.
Thanks

You can pour around 1/3 of your base into a separate container and add the purple soap colourant to that.
Add your essential oil to both (should be no more than 2% of the amount of soap base you are using).
As your soap begins to slightly cool, a thin skin will begin to form. At this point, scrape off the skin and pour the white base into your mold and immediately drizzle the purple in on top of it.
Hope this helps & good luck!

I have decided to attempt to make my own soap, but I don’t know if it would be appropriate to leave fragrance out. I have very sensitive skin, so I think it would be better to be fragrance free to avoid break outs etc.

When making my own soap, is this ok.. or will the soap have an odor.

Plain unscented soap can be wonderful. With sensitive skin, I would suggest a recipe with a high percentage of olive oil. Some people can have trouble with a high percentage of coconut and palm oil so keep those low. Try a ratio of Olive 60%; Coconut 20%; Palm 20%. With this recipe you will get a firm bar that still has a good lather and is gentle on your skin. Be careful with the essential oils….they too, can be sensitizing to some individuals. Do your research first. Depending on your skin condition, some can be very helpful. You can also make a castile soap that is 100% olive oil. Some people don’t like the thin lather but it is extremely gentle on the skin.

It simply doesn’t get more “green” than soap nuts. However, we must first clarify how soap nuts “green” and “organic” relate to each other in the context of this article. So, green – what is “green” anyway? Not that many single words are nouns, adjectives, verbs and adverbs. But “green” has become all of them. Personally I don’t even like using the terms due to their many various and often vague, ambiguous definitions. fyi: I counted 24 definitions in Word’s dictionary for green. The vast majority of them had nothing to do with the color at all. As far as “organic” it is not nearly as bad, but it means VERY different things to different people.

IMPORTANT: I am purposely writing to the person of average knowledge regarding these terms. I am NOT talking of certification and the like. This article also has nothing whatsoever to do with the plethora of other meanings of green or organic. Let’s please just keep it simple.

Hence, for the purpose of this article, I am defining “green” and “organic” combined to mean: Provided or produced by Mother Nature and completely void of alteration or manipulation by man.

Nope, that’s NOT a definition from the dictionary, and I’ll probably still get some heat for using organic in this. BUT the fact is that is what the terms mean is something very close to MY definition to many (if not most) of the average people I speak every single day – particularly when it comes to natural detergents, other household cleaners, skin care products, etc. As the founder of NaturOli and one of the largest sellers of soap nuts in the US and Canada – that’s a LOT of people. So again, for the purpose of this article, the definition works great. Yes, man harvests soap nuts, removes their seeds, allows them to dry and packs them, but man does NOTHING to alter soap nuts from their pure and 100% natural state. Man only facilitates getting them from the tree to your door. Nothing more.

Soap nuts are a 100% totally natural, green, organic cleaning product that is entirely and completely void of any man-made substances. Period. By my definition it is right on target. The supposedly “green” detergents and cleansers all over the market all have additives – many, many additives. Relative to the purity of the soap nut they are chemical soups. They have been formulated (which says it all). Some are better than others, but nonetheless they are not 100% pure. Mother Nature has NOT handed down these other products on a silver platter for us to use – AS IS. She did so with soap nuts. ONLY soap nuts in their RAW form are totally natural, green and organic. The soap that soap nuts produce is completely pure and natural. It contains ZERO additives. No other detergent, cleanser or soap anywhere in the world can make that claim. End of story.

So, if you want a highly EFFECTIVE, truly natural, “green” and “organic” detergent, cleanser or soap by the definition I provided above – soap nuts are your answer. Your ONLY answer. I intentionally use “effective” because there are other genuinely natural ways to clean, but none clean as well as saponin (the natural active ingredient in the soapberry / soap nut). You can beat your laundry on rocks in a river or stream and they will become cleaner, but let’s get realistic in regards to what we want. We know that saponin is hypoallergenic, biodegradable, anti-fungal and antimicrobial. It is a highly effective surfactant making it a great detergent/cleanser/soap. It is all this – and is still 100% natural, green and organic.

If you are having issues with the products you use, try soap nuts as an alternative. Many people suffer from eczema, psoriasis, and a myriad of irritating skin conditions. Many of these conditions have been linked through clinical studies directly to the chemicals and additives man has used in the production of detergents, cleansers and soaps.

I have personally heard SO many people tell me that since using soap nuts previous irritating skin conditions are gone – totally GONE! Eczema and rosacea sufferers have reported dramatic improvements. I have documented only ONE case where a gentleman actually developed a minor rash from saponin. He even did a skin patch test to be sure that was what caused it. There are always people that will be allergic to something. But only ONE known case out of thousands of soap nut users! Interestingly, he and his family STILL use soap nuts for they believe soap nuts remain the better alternative to today’s commercial detergents. Incredible.

Odds are that 99+% of people suffering from skin irritations caused by the commercial products (even the “SUPPOSEDLY” green, natural detergents, cleansers and soaps) they’ve been using will benefit greatly from using soap nuts. There is an EXCELLENT chance soap nuts may be the ticket to living far more comfortable lives. If you change to soap nuts (and go totally green in doing so) and you find relief, don’t thank me. I’m just a messenger. Thank Mother Nature for soap nuts. Soap nuts are HER 100% natural, “green”  and “organic” gift for us all.

Christopher Sicurella
http://www.articlesbase.com/nature-articles/soap-nuts-the-only-truly-100-natural-green-and-organic-detergent-cleanser-and-soap-available-anywhere-747855.html

do cookie cutters make good molds?

And if I wanted to make handmade soap for a girl (whom I love very much) would she find that weird or gayish of me? (I am a man by the way)

Thanks for any help.

I don’t think it, in and of itself, is gay. It’s totally sweet though, as they say, it’s the thought that counts. If you’re friends, she shouldn’t take it like you’re being gay anyway. I guess you may not be friends, yet.
As for making them, I don’t know anything about that.

what are the charecteristic that caused wood ash important to be made soap and claen the oil-stain?

One must use a nonpolar substance to clean the nonpolar substances such as oil or grease. Ash is composed of nonpolar molecules ca[pable of cleaning nonpolar dirt. I think it’s a good reason

When you apply a pure natural soap every day, you are sure to be astounded at how fast you can see the improvement in your skin. The pores on your skin look smaller, the texture of your skin will be smoother and your face will feel soft and supple. With soap that is both pure and natural you do not have to think about whether your skin will dry out or not for the reason that soaps that are pure and natural are known to have larger quantities of glycerin as compared to regular brands.

Why Do Dermatologists Recommend Using All Natural Soap?

Many people experience frequent acne. Soaps comprising ingredients that are pure as well as nautrual are a terrific alternate substitute for bathing with soaps that are made using chemicals and fragrances. Individuals who tend to suffer from adverse skin reactions will frequently find that soaps that are touted to be pure and natural will not react with the skin as could happen with some regular brands. For those who suffer from asthma and those people who have a heightened sensitivity to fragrances, it is important to go for a natural, 100% fragrance free soap. Most of the soaps available these days include heavy perfumes and chemicals in them. These can often cause many different kinds of unfavorable skin reactions.

Pure Natural Soap: An Overview

It is a misconception that you can only buy natural soaps in one generic type of bar. This is a complete misconception. Bath soaps with pure and natural ingredients are now available in several different forms. You can now get soaps in different shapes and sizes. You are also sure to come across natural liquid soaps as well as foaming cleansers. You can also get natural soaps, many of them containing all-natural herbs inside. You can also get many different kinds of natural bath soap. The possibilities are quite endless for different forms of natural soap. Several new items make their appearance in stores annually.

Where to Find Natural Soaps

You would be flabbergasted at the staggering number of virtual stores that are in the business of selling natural soaps. Nevertheless, it is best to check out user reviews prior to getting it from a shop that is unknown to you. You will find several shops that market natural soaps that are not pure natural soaps. By taking the trouble to look into the differnt companies that market these soaps, you know for sure you are paying for a soap of high quality.

You are sure to discover a wide variety of natural soaps at your regular spa. Many department stores have an inventory of an assorted variety of natural soaps that are meant specially for people who have been advised to discontinue using store brands. If you have a desire to know more about any particular product, ask questions prior putting down any money on the product.

A Final Thought

Soaps are a commodity that most individuals don’t give a second thought about. Caring for your skin is important and the right choice of soap will help in making it easier to ward off premature wrinkling of the skin. Soaps that are natural and pure are handy as gifts for almost anyone. There are even lines of natural soap formulated especially for men’s skin. Pure natural soap is a luxury that can make the difference between good skin and glowing skin.

Greg Walker
http://www.articlesbase.com/skin-care-articles/the-surprising-benefits-of-soap-that-is-natural-and-pure-705480.html

I am doing a organic chem project but I can’t find out why is water used to make soap.

I would suppose that one needs the OH- ions to be in solution.
So in that case the water is the solvent.

When you apply a pure natural soap every day, you are sure to be astounded at how fast you can see the improvement in your skin. The pores on your skin look smaller, the texture of your skin will be smoother and your face will feel soft and supple. With soap that is both pure and natural you do not have to think about whether your skin will dry out or not for the reason that soaps that are pure and natural are known to have larger quantities of glycerin as compared to regular brands.

Why Do Dermatologists Recommend Using All Natural Soap?

Many people experience frequent acne. Soaps comprising ingredients that are pure as well as nautrual are a terrific alternate substitute for bathing with soaps that are made using chemicals and fragrances. Individuals who tend to suffer from adverse skin reactions will frequently find that soaps that are touted to be pure and natural will not react with the skin as could happen with some regular brands. For those who suffer from asthma and those people who have a heightened sensitivity to fragrances, it is important to go for a natural, 100% fragrance free soap. Most of the soaps available these days include heavy perfumes and chemicals in them. These can often cause many different kinds of unfavorable skin reactions.

Pure Natural Soap: An Overview

It is a misconception that you can only buy natural soaps in one generic type of bar. This is a complete misconception. Bath soaps with pure and natural ingredients are now available in several different forms. You can now get soaps in different shapes and sizes. You are also sure to come across natural liquid soaps as well as foaming cleansers. You can also get natural soaps, many of them containing all-natural herbs inside. You can also get many different kinds of natural bath soap. The possibilities are quite endless for different forms of natural soap. Several new items make their appearance in stores annually.

Where to Find Natural Soaps

You would be flabbergasted at the staggering number of virtual stores that are in the business of selling natural soaps. Nevertheless, it is best to check out user reviews prior to getting it from a shop that is unknown to you. You will find several shops that market natural soaps that are not pure natural soaps. By taking the trouble to look into the differnt companies that market these soaps, you know for sure you are paying for a soap of high quality.

You are sure to discover a wide variety of natural soaps at your regular spa. Many department stores have an inventory of an assorted variety of natural soaps that are meant specially for people who have been advised to discontinue using store brands. If you have a desire to know more about any particular product, ask questions prior putting down any money on the product.

A Final Thought

Soaps are a commodity that most individuals don’t give a second thought about. Caring for your skin is important and the right choice of soap will help in making it easier to ward off premature wrinkling of the skin. Soaps that are natural and pure are handy as gifts for almost anyone. There are even lines of natural soap formulated especially for men’s skin. Pure natural soap is a luxury that can make the difference between good skin and glowing skin.

Greg Walker
http://www.articlesbase.com/skin-care-articles/the-surprising-benefits-of-soap-that-is-natural-and-pure-705480.html