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Bar Soap Good Read
Owing to my zero knowledge on bar soaps (bath and laundry both), I would be hugely obliged if someone could suggest a good read on the same. While the basic saponification is known to all but the intricacies and creative aspect alongwith the equipment and resources needed are few things which are unknown to me.
Thank you all. -
3 Replies
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Milliachemist - I’d recommend this book if you’d like to know more about the chemistry side:- http://www.amazon.co.uk/Scientific-Soapmaking-Chemistry-Cold-Process/dp/1935652095
For the creative side and equipment etc here’s my soap tutorial which contains links to videos on how to do lots of different types of swirls and how to create different tops: - http://makingskincare.com/how-to-make-soap/There are some groups for soapmaking which can provide a lot of creative inspiration . Personally I love this one - https://www.facebook.com/groups/soapersretreat/ -
@milliachemist,
There are basically 4 kinds of soap-making:1) Large-scale industrial - if your name isn’t DuPont, you can’t compete. These people use soap kettles bigger than most peoples houses. Tiny profit margin, even for the big players.2) Small-scale industrial - You need a point of difference to sell your soap (natural, or hypo-allergenic, or moisturizing, etc.), but it’s basically the same style of product that the big guys sell. Small profit margin - barely adequate for most manufacturers. Labor costs vary depending on the level of automation installed.1) Large-scale crafting - Decorative, unusual soaps that use much more labor than industrial soaps - there’s probably a smaller market for these soaps but a higher profit margin - depending on how much your labor costs. Not normally sold in the usual retail channels, either.2) Small-scale crafting - Again, decorative, unusual soaps that use much more labor than industrial soaps. Smaller volume so smaller capital investment, but higher labor costs. It’s mostly a hobby for the majority of people doing this, or at best a weekend business.Which were you thinking of getting into? -
Thank you both, really appreciate it.
@Bobz It is more like mid size operations and for producing any normal bar soap like Fa or Lux targeted for African market. The process starts with soap noodles (bought from Malaysia) of different combinations but definitely no lard or tallow origin.
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