True Soap vs Synthetic

As usual business was slow during the winter months. Sometimes painfully slow when everyone is suffering the effects of rapidly declining economy. And face it. Our product is not one that most would consider to me a necessity. Most who do not know the health benefits of using naturally handmade bath soap consider it to be a luxury item that gets pushed to the back of the budget in these economic times.

Let's examine some of the reasons to consider handmade soap a regular commodity to be added to your normal shopping regimen.

NO DETERGENTS OR SYNTHETICS

These days the majority of commercial bar soap and most all liquid soap found on store shelves are actually synthetic detergents. According to the FDA, it no long fits the definition of "true soap".

NATURAL SKIN HYDRATING GLYCERIN

As is the way of big business, commercial soap manufacturers found a way to make and sell two products from one. When soap is made a natural occurrence is the formation of Glycerin; a humectant. One molecule of glycerin is created for every three molecules of soap. So commercial soap manufacturers remove the glycerin, replacing it with synthetic ingredients. They then sell off the beneficial glycerin to pharmaceutical and cosmetic companies. Thus making double the profits from one original product. It's quite brilliant.

QUALITY CONTROL

Most handmade soap is made is smaller batches. Any where from 5 lbs to 50 lbs at a time. As opposed to thousands if not millions of pounds at a time. By making smaller batches it is much easier to control the process from mixing of oils, to molding, unmolding, cutting, etc. You can rest assured that your handmade soap was "supervised" from start to finish.

PASSION

Yes, I said passion. Handmade Soapmakers are passionate about their skill. Not only do they take classes and stay abreast of the lastest in handmade soapmaking technology. But they love what they do. Yes, one can make a decent live at it. But few do it just to make a living. I've been a soapmaker for 13 years, and soapmaker that I've met is passionate about his (yes their are men in this industry) or her skill. They just plain enjoy making soap. Learning new methods such as "Funnel" soapmaking. Yep, pouring various colors of soap through a funnel into your mold so as to achieve a certain design in the out coming cut bars of soap.

SUPPORT

So you can buy synthetic detergent bars or bottled liquid in the store. But your just not going to get the love and passion, and energy put into a wholesome, healthy, beautiful bar of handmade soap full of skin hydrating glycerin like you would if you purchased some great handmade soap from a skilled, passionate Soapmaker at your local Farmer's Market. Or do a web search for Soapmaker in your area. Or go to The Soap Guild and look for a Soapmaker in your state. Be patriotic. Please support local small business and buy MADE IN THE USA!

And if you live in the Greater Spokane, WA area come see us at the Community Roots Farmer's market every Sunday from 11 am till 4 pm at 2015 N. Division St. Mention This article and our Blog and receive a 10% discount on your purchase!

New Soaping Technique - Funnel Soaping

So, one of the newest thing in techniques (new to me anyway), is called Funnel Soaping. It is a method by which you pour your thinly traced cold process soap into your mold through a funnel.

After you are done pouring it appears as the above photo, revealing a series of concentric circles. The end result should be something like these.



These are two batches of absolutes gorgeous funnel soaps made by Shawna of Body Luxe. Breath-taking!
Clearly she has had some practice.

Mine on the other hand, did not result in such a beautiful display of talent. Instead, this is what I got after cutting.



Such a disappointment this was for me. I'm told that it is difficult to get the same results as Shawna (concentric circles) from a log mould, which is what I use. And I'm told that first attempts quite often come out exactly like this. So, I will keep at it. And maybe try a few different kinds of moulds. I'm thinking maybe a deep round silicon cake pan since I don't have a slab mold. Now that might yield something interesting.

At any rate, you will see this batch on the website after it has finished drying. It will be listed under the Silk & Shea category - Moonbeams & Magick :)