Here's a list of what to do when learning how to make soap. First of all, as you may or may not be aware, there are two processes that can be used in making soap. First is what is called the cold process and secondly you have the hot process. I will write articles on each of these processes soon.

This article focuses on giving you a basic overview on what to do in the process of making your own soap. These are good points to start from.

Heres what you should be doing.
Decide if you will use the cold or hot process to make your soap
Assemble the utensils you will be using
Find a space to work in that is well lighted and ventilated
Organize the ingredients that you will be using
Choose your molds
Begin the soap making process
Cleanup and storage

Now to elaborate on these points.

Once you decide which process you will use, either the cold or hot method, you will be ready to begin.

You will be using various utensils to make soap. First you need a pot of some sort. It is important to use only stainless steel or ceramic because any other type of material will be affected by the chemicals used in the process and in some cases fragments of the material can become embedded in the soap product.

When choosing a space to work in, the kitchen is the most logical place unless you are lucky enough to have a place where all your crafting is done. Clear a good size space to assemble the things you need and cover the surface you will be working on.

Gather the ingredients that you will need to make soap. Make sure to do your homework here and aside from the basic chemicals needed, choose additives such as fragrances that are skin friendly.

Choose your mold according to what you want the end product to look like. There is a multitude of molds available to make soap. The new silicone ones are great because they already have a non-stick surface and once your soap hardens, it will pop out easily. They also come in may shapes, which is great for making all sorts of novelty looking soaps.

You are now ready to begin the process of making soap. You may have to do a few batches until you get the results you are looking for but you have to start somewhere and its a great primer to learn how to make soap. In future articles, I will explore the hot and cold process in depth as well as outline the actual steps for making soap.

After you make a batch of soap, dont forget that cleanup is important. Washing your utensils in good old hot soapy water will do. Make sure to store all your chemicals and additives in a safe place until the next time they are needed.

To your soap making success