History Of Soap Making
Records indicate that soap making may have existed as far back as 2800 B.C. There are records that indicate both the Ancient Greeks and Romans both started experimenting with olive oil in their initial soap making. During it's earliest years of creation soap was considered a luxury and was only available to the richest individuals and families.
Soap makers were hired to create their products and were paid well by their wealthy employers. Because of its' rare status, it took years before handmade soap became accessible to everyone. But, one thing that remained unchanged through the years is the fact that, like its' current use, soap was used to wash skin and clothes when it was first discovered.
As the years progressed, Europe established a soap making industry as did America. While handmade soap was generally made by women during the colonel American era. Each year, usually before spring, women would gather together and make soap from the ingredients that were saved from the winter months. Generally colonial soaps were made from lard.
Since large industries took over the process of soap making, the quality has suffered immensely. Soap making has been quite profitable to large corporations. However, these large corporations do not offer handmade soap and, therefore, lose control over the special touches that only handmade soap can offer. Rather than a luxury item, as it was earlier considered, soap has become an everyday must-have household item. The availability of regular soap lead to the inventions of other things, including detergent, dishwashing liquids, stain removers, liquid soaps, etc.
Today, handmade soaps are created by talented crafters worldwide. Unique designs, scents, colorations and styles are among the many characteristics found in today's handmade soap. From lavender soap to soap loaves, handmade soap is still very much considered a luxurious item, but not anywhere near as unattainable as in it's earliest years. Soap loaves, much like the name implies, can be cut down to make bars of any size of shape. Many soap makers show their creations at various craft fairs throughout the year, as well as specialty stores.
Handmade soap is thought to be wonderful for your skin. Because each bar contains healthy ingredients that help to rejuvenate the skin, many users swear by its' effects.
BENEFITS OF BASIC OLD FASHION LYE SOAP
Evidence abounds of the healing properties of a handmade bar of soap. Those who suffer from skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema, as well as people that have sensitive skin or are hypoallergenic often find immediate relief by switching to handmade soap.
One of the biggest reasons to buy handcrafted soap is that small soapmakers leave the glycerine content of their soap in their soap. Most commercial soap manufacturers extract the glycerine to sell separately, sometimes at a higher price than the soap itself! Glycerine is important to skin care because it is a humectant. Humectants draw moisture from the air, which, in turn, moisturize your skin. The glycerine content of the soap is what makes handcrafted soap softer than commercially made soap.
Some people may question the use of lye in handcrafted soap. The fact is that all soap is made with lye. What needs to be made clear is that once the process of saponification is complete, the lye molecules and oils molecules have combined and chemically changed into soap and glycerine. There is no lye present in the finished bars of soap.
Wedding Day Gift Baskets, Birthday Baskets, Anniversary Baskets…Or just for any occasion!
If you would like to give that “special someone” something “special”, than why not try a Natural Handcrafted Soap Basket ?
We ofer Baskets for Weddings, Showers, Birthdays, Anniversary’s, Corporate Gifts, Graduations and Births !
Approximately 50 different choices are available from an array of categories - citrus fruits, plant and flower extract, from the tree, oatmeal, goat’s milk and buttermilk, espresso coffee, from the sea, clays, herbs.
We will hand calligraphy a card appropriate for the occasion with your wording and send it along with your gift.
Using the highest quality wrapping we will then tie. For large orders such as Wedding Party Gifts, Wedding Favors, Bridesmaids Gifts or Corporate Gifts we ask that you provide us with at least 2 weeks to get your special order on its way.
Call with any questions you may have about us.
Phone 919-274-0919
Hours 10 am to 5 pm EST
naturalhandcraftedsoap@hotmail.com
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