Reason 1: Homemade Soap is all Natural
Soapmaking is one of the most beneficial homesteading skills. We use soap daily in its various forms for many different purposes. From bar soaps, liquid hand soaps and shampoos to dish and laundry detergents, pet shampoos, kitchen cleaners, car shampoos, and many more.
We use soap very frequently in our everyday lives! Twice as often if you are caring for farm animals or growing a garden. If I have to use soap so often, I want to know what goes into it. That’s why I prefer to make soap for my family.
Reason 2: Homemade Soap is Safe
Do you want to know what goes into your store-bought soap? Have you looked at the ingredients of the commercial soaps? Why would you want to put all that chemistry lab on your skin and hair?
- On your loved ones?
- On your children and grandchildren?
- On your pets?
- On your clothes?
- And the list continues. . .
Reason 3: Making your Own Soap is Healthy
Handmade soaps are natural and healthful for your skin and hair. They are made with all natural and biodegradable ingredients.
Reason 4: Soapmaking at Home is a Prudent Decision
Simplify your life and make your own hand-crafted soaps. Making soap yourself is much less expensive than buying commercial products.
Reason 4: Making Soap is not Difficult
For me, making soap is much easier and much more enjoyable than going out shopping for SynDet products.
Soap, in its simplest form, is made of two essential ingredients:
1. natural oils and/or fats
and
2. sodium hydroxide (also known as lye or caustic soda) or another strong base such as potassium hydroxide (also referred to as caustic potash).
That’s it.
And when you are done making soap, there is nothing strongly alkali or caustic about it anymore. The strong base reacts with the fatty acids and becomes neutralized. Read more about it here.
Reason 5: Homemade Soap is Customized for your Skin Type and Hair
After you master making the most simple unscented homemade soap, you can start learning about various oils, and how they can change your soap to be used for different purposes. You can make moisturizing soap for dry skin, hard soap for oily skin, soap to alleviate acne or eczema symptoms, and many other varieties of soap. You can start adding other ingredients, such as essential oils, fragrances, soothing herbs, and more.
Reason 6: Homemade Soap Makes a Great Gift
Everything handcrafted makes the best gift. Homemade soap is no exception. Everybody appreciates a custom handcrafted gift. Giving handmade presents is very rewarding. When you give a handmade soap to your friend or a family member, you know that they will use it and probably think about you every time. They will most likely ask for more.
Reason 7: And finally, Soapmaking is an Engaging and Rewarding Activity
Soapmaking is a great family activity when everyone can be engaged in the making. It is a wonderful learning opportunity for your kids or grand-kids, nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends. Everybody gets to participate and enjoy using their creations later.
Do you make your own soap? If so, what is your reason?