Homemade Soaps Can Be For Guys Too!
Dan Chan
A few years ago, I received in the mail some homemade soap as a Christmas gift. When I initially saw the package, I wasn't really all that crazy about it, to tell you the truth. I mean, real men don't get excited about homemade soap do they? Maybe Irish Spring or Zest, or some other masculine soap like cologne scented soap- on-the-rope is acceptable, but homemade soap?
Surprise, Surprise!
However, when I tried out the homemade soap, I was pleasantly surprised! It was great! It smelled really delicious while I was taking a shower (and no I did not eat the soap!) On top of that, it produced a great lather that any man would love.
Am I a Slob, No! Do I Usually Care About Skin Care, No!
Normally, I am not interested much in looking for grooming products. Using deodorant, Irish Spring, cheap shampoo, a razor & shaving cream, and a plastic comb is about as far as it goes for me. When grooming, I am like the majority of men, I want a simple grooming process so I can get out the door. I don't use cologne, just deodorant, and I try to smell good & keep my hair combed.
Try My Hand At Soapmaking?
Experiencing homemade soap changed my line of thinking a bit. In fact, I loved homemade soap so much that I would love to try my hand at soapmaking. I was really good at organic chemistry lab in college, and I believe I could make homemade soap really well.
Time is tight, but I believe that after reviewing the homemade soap recipes online that I could definitely make soap from scratch. Soapmaking doesn't appear to be overly difficult, but with a little experience, I believe I can learn how.
The ingredients for soapmaking are simple and easy to find. From what I understand from reading on the internet about soapmaking, the main ingredients required to make soap are the combination of some sort of a fat with a strong base.
Experience can be the thing that really makes the difference in making soap, but it really pays to study websites that have materials on how to make soaps. One site I came across sold a video series that trained new soapmakers about the ins and outs of soapmaking. To me, that is even better.
Anything else in making soaps is a matter of taste. People have their preferences to the different type of homemade soaps because all homemade soaps are not the same. They differ in fragrance, texture, hardness, clarity, color, and shape. There are more types of soap than you could imagine.
Why People Prefer Different Types of Soap
The scent of the soap is an important aspect in choosing homemade soaps. Different fragrances appeal to different types of people. One smell I do particularly enjoy in soap is the orange fragrance. It just seems to refresh my senses, and gets the day off on the right note.
Texture in soap is also important. Soaps can be too abrasive or too oily according to how they are made and the additives to the soap mixture. The primary ingredient in soap that determines the hardness of the soap is the fats that are used. The more saturated the fats the harder the soap. Saturated fatty acids (like in butter) give a more hard, wax-like texture to the soap, while the more unsaturated fats (such as canola, olive, sunflower oils etc.) tend to produce a softer, more crumbly soap.
I May Just Give Soapmaking A Try
I don't know what makes me want to try out soapmaking for myself. Maybe it is because since I was a kid, I loved to make chemical reactions and always wanted a chemistry set. Then again, maybe it is just because I want to create something out of thin air that most people depend on a store to supply. Nevertheless, it is the gift of homemade soap that opened possibilities and sparked my interest.
Dan Chan offers advice on homemades soaps. Buy homemade soap at CountryScents Visit Handmade Soaps
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