A Quick Start Guide to Soap Makingby Emma Buckley

2013 by United Publishing House

Digital Edition

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Table of Contents

IntroductionWhy Make Your Own Soap?How Does Soap Work?Different Types of SoapMolding Made Easy with Glycerin SoapsSoap Making Ingredients & SuppliesAll About Lye & SaponificationSafety Issues You Need to KnowSoap Making & Carrier OilsUsing Essential Oils in Your Homemade SoapBasic Soap Recipes for BeginnersConclusionAbout the AuthorAdditional ResourcesAcknowledgements

Introduction

Humanshavebasicneedsotherthanfood,shelter,andclothing.Forinstance,weneedtoiletriesforpersonalhygiene.Wealsoneedthingstoensurethatoursurroundingsareclean.AsidefromcleanlinessbeingnexttoGodliness,cleanlinessislikewisethekeytoahealthyandcomfortablelife.Thus,wehavetopracticeitonadailybasis.

Oneofthethingsthatwecanusetomakethispossibleissoap.Peopleneedsoapforavarietyofreasonsliketakingabath,washinghands,andcleaningthings.Thereareplentyofsoapsavailableinthemarket.Thesevaryaccordingtomanyfactorssuchasscent,size,form,purpose,price,andcleaningstrength.

Albeitthefactthatsoapsavailableinthemarketareinexpensive,manypeoplestillchoosetomaketheirownsoapsathome.Doingsohelpspractitionerscontroltheingredientstheyuse,savemoney,andhaveaneffectivecleaningbar.

Soapmakingiseasy.Anyonecandoit.Therearemanysoap-makingguidesavailableinbookstoresandonline.Itsingredientsareeasytofind,cheap,andsafetouse.Forthosewhowanttomakesoaps,theyjustneedtoknowtheessentialstepsandtechniquesinsoapmaking.

Todate,moreandmorehomemakersandentrepreneursalikearelearningthecraftofmakingsoap.Theymayhavedifferentreasonsinmakingsoaps,buttheyareafterthesamegoal,whichistomakeagood-smelling,highlyefficient,andsafebarofsoap.Theycanrealizetheirgoalsonlybylearningtherules,dosanddonts,andthetechniquesinsoapmaking.

ThiseBookdiscussestheessentialstepsandtechniquesinsoap-making.Ifyouwanttostartmakingsoapsforpersonalorbusinesspurposes,donotfretasthiseBookwillhelpyouget

startedandstayontherighttrackuntilyoufinallyachieveyoursoap-makinggoals.Readonandstartyourjourneytowardstheartofmakingsoaps.

Why Make Your Own Soap?

Soapmakingasacraftisincreasinginpopularityaroundtheworld.Therearemanygreatreasonswhypeoplefromallwalksoflifeprefertomaketheirownsoaps.Checkoutthedetailsbelowtoseehowbeneficialitisforyoutohavehomemadesoaps.

ItOffersHealthBenefits

NourishestheSkin.Itisnosecretthatcommerciallyproducedsoapscontainchemicalsandsubstancesthatcancauseskinirritationanddryness.Thesesubstancesaresodiumhydroxide,sodiumlaurylsulfate,potassiumhydroxide,sodiumlaurethsulfateandlyeandparabens.However,inmakingyourownsoap,youhavetheoptiontousenaturalingredientsthatcanhelpmoisturizeandhydrateyourskin.

HasHealingProperties.Makingyourownsoapdecreasesyourexposuretoharmfulchemicalsthatcanworsenskinconditionsyoumayalreadyhave.Youcanchoosenaturalingredientsthatcomefromtrees,flowers,herbs,andplants.Theseingredientshaveessentialoilsthatarenotjustfullofaromaticfragrancesbuthealingproperties,aswell.Theseingredientshelptreatskindisorderssuchaseczema,acne,andpsoriasis.

ContainsAntioxidants.Manypeopletakegoodcareoftheirskintolookgood.However,skincareisinvaluablenotjusttolookgoodbutalsotoincreaseourimmunity.Theskinisourfirstlineofdefense,anditissusceptibletoavarietyofriskscausedbytheweatherconditions,dehydration,harmfulsubstances,andinfections.Someessentialoilsusedinsoapmakinghaveantioxidantsthathelptheskinbecomeresistanttoassaultingagents.

ItIsRelativelyEasy

Soapmakingisaseasyasmakingpancakes.Thebasicstepsinmakingsoapsathomeareveryeasytofollow.Peoplehavebeenmakingsoapssincetimeimmemorial.Allyouhavetodoisbeopentothepossibilityofmakingsomemistakes.Onceyougetpastthetrialanderrorstage,youwillenjoytheentireprocessofmakinghomemadesoaps.

ItHelpsSaveMoney

Makingyourownsoapiscost-efficient.Thisisoneofthemajorreasonswhymanypeoplepreferhomemadesoaps.Commerciallyproducedsoapscostabout$2to$3,whiletheinexpensiveonesmaycontaincheapchemicalsthatareharmfultotheskin.Therearealotofinexpensiveandharmlessingredientsinsoapmakingtochoosefromifyoudecidetomaketheseathome.Whatsmoreisthatyoucanalsopurchaseingredientsbybulkasitischeaperthatway.Essentialoilsalsohavemultipleusessoyouwontendupwastinganyingredient.

YouCanUnravelYourArtisticAbilities

Soapmakinggivesyoutheopportunitytodiscoveryourgreatestpotential.Theworldwasleftinawewhensoapsthatlookedlikecandybarsandchocolateswerecreated.Youtoocanmakeyourownsoapmasterpieceandcomeupwithyourowndesigns.Youcanstartmakingsoapflowersandthenadvancetosomemorecomplicatedsoapdesigns.

SoapMakingIsFun

Theentiresoap-makingexperiencecanbeenjoyable,andyoucanmakeitaveryproductivepasttime.Sincethereareplentyofnaturalingredientsandsoapdesignsthatyoucanchoosefrom,itwillbeawholelotoffuntodiscoverwhichonesyoureallylike.Youcanalsoexperimentandcombinescentsandothernaturalingredients.Aftermakingyourownsoap,itcanbeextremelyrewardingtouseyourownmasterpiece.

ItOpensManyOpportunities

Learningtheartofmakingsoapsdirectsyoutomanyopportunities.Whenyoucanmakehighlyimpressivesoaps,youcanmakemoneyfromyourproducts.Youcancustomizesoapdesignsandscentstomeettheneedsofyourclients.Soapmakingalsogivesyouanopportunitytoletotherpeopleexperienceusinghomemadesoaps.Youcangivehigh-qualitysoapstoyourfriends,colleagues,andfamilymembers.Youcanevenpersuadeotherstousehealthyhomemadesoapsthancommerciallyproducedones.

Beforecommercialproductionofsoapstookplacecenturiesago,homemakerswerealreadyequippedwiththeskillsandknowledgeinmakingsoaps.Today,wecanalwaysgotothegrocerystoreandbuysoaps.However,weknowthatthereisanothergreatoptionthanbuyingacommerciallyproducedsoap,anditistomakeoneathome.

How Does Soap Work?

Soapmakingisahobbymanypeopleengagethemselvesinnowadays.Youcancombineessentialingredients,usedifferentdesigns,andmakesurethattheirsoapssmellgreat,lookappealing,andworkefficiently.However,beforeyoumakeanattempttomakesoap,youshouldfirstknowhowitworks.

HowSoapsWork

Soapscontainhydrophilicandhydrophobiccompounds.Hydrophiliccompoundsarewater-lovingwhilehydrophobiccompoundsarewater-hatingones.Forexample,oilishydrophobic,anditcannotmixwithwater.Fattyacids,whichmakeupsoaps,containachainofcarbon,hydrogen,andoxygenatoms.Oneendofthechainislipophilicandattractsoilswhiletheotherendishydrophilicandcanattachtowater.

Wateralonecanwashdirtontheskinsurface,butitcannoteliminateoilbuildup.Thisiswhyhumansneedtousesoapwhentakingabath.Whenweusesoap,themoleculeslipophilicendstakecareofremovingtheoilsandgreasefromtheskin.Whenwerinse,thehydrophilicendsgowiththewatermoleculestoremovetheimpurities.

TypesofSoapMaking

Beforestartingtomakesoaps,itisimportantthataspiringsoapmakersknowthetypesofsoapmaking.Belowarethetypesofsoapmakingavailable:

Meltandpour,alsocalledasglycerinorcastingsoap,thissoap-makingconceptwascreatedinthe1800sinthehopesoflettingconsumersperceivesoapasnatural.Thismethodinvolvesmeltingdownablockofsoap,addingcolorandscents,andthenpouringthemixtureina

mold.

Inthismethod,youwillneedthreeingredients,namelythesoapblock,scent,andcolor.Youneedtocutthesoapintochunkstomakeitmeltfast.

Handmilled,otherwiseknownasre-batchingsoap,itinvolvesusingpremadesoapscrapsandturningthemintoliquidform.Itaimsatmakinganaturalbarofsoapwithoutrequiringtheuseoflye.Itonlytakesafewhourstomakebutseveralweekstocure.

Coldprocess,thismethodinvolvesblendingfatssuchascoconutoil,lard,ortallowwithlye.Youcanalsouseoliveoilasanalternativeforcoconutoil.Thelyeshouldbedissolvedinwaterfirstbeforemixingitwiththefats.Saponification,achemicalreaction,takesplacewhentheingredientsaremixedtogether.Themixturethenbecomessoap.

Hotprocess,thissoapmakingprocessinvolvesplacingalltheingredientsinsidethepotonastovethatissettolowheat.Youthenneedtostirthemixturefrequentlyuntilitgoesthroughvariousstages.Oncethewaterinthemixturehasevaporated,youmaythenpouritinsidemolds.

Soap-MakingTipsandTricks

1.Ifyoudonotknowhowmuchsoapyouneed,thebestthingtodoistousewater.Fillthemoldwithwaterandthenuseameasuringcuptoseehowmuchamountofsoapsolutionyouneed.

2.Ifyouwanttoaddsomebotanicalsoradditives,youneedtoensurethatthesoapiscoolandthickenedslightly.Youcanthenaddtheingredientswhilestirringthemixture.Becarefulwhenaddingherbstoavoidmakingthesoapabrasive.

3.Ifyouwantyoursoaptolookmorefestive,youcanaddbitsfromothersoapsyouacquired.Itwillletyouproducesoapwithmulticoloredconfetti.Whiledoingthis,makesurethatyoucooltheliquidsoapfirstbeforepouringitoverthesmallersoapbit.Thisistoavoidthesmallpiecesfrommelting.

4.Onceyouhavealreadypouredsoapintoamoldandbeforeitcoolsdowncompletely,makesurethatyousprayrubbingalcoholoverthesoap.Ithelpseliminatethebubblesthatusuallyappearonthesurface.

5.Totakebettercareofyourmolds,youshouldensurethatthesearedryandclean.Avoidstoringrubberandplasticmoldsindirectsunlight.Instead,placetheminacool,darkplace.Inaddition,youshouldnotpourveryhotmixturesorplaceyourmoldsinsideamicrowavetopreventmoldsfromwarping.

6.Makesurethatyouavoidheatingorboilingmeltedsoapforalongperiodasitcanburnthemixture.Whenthesoapburns,itdiscolorsandemitsbadodor.

7.Bearinmindthatover-stirringcancauseexcessivesoapbubbles.Youneedtostirinacircularmotionandmakeoneortworotations.

8.Moldsmadefromzinc,tin,aluminum,untemperedglass,china,coloredplastic,andflimsyplasticarenotgoodtouse.Moldsmadefromuntemperedglassaresusceptibletobreakage.Metalmolds,ontheotherhand,maycorrode.

Awell-madesoapcanmakeyoufeelrelaxedandrefreshedafterabath.Youjustneedtorememberhowsoapsworkandwhatmaterialsoringredientsyouneedtomakeonethatisfragrant,skin-friendly,andefficient.

Different Types of Soaps

Soapsvaryaccordingtotheirusage,ingredients,purpose,texture,andotherfactors.Learnhowvarioussoapsdifferfromeachotherinthefollowingsection.

ColdProcessSoaps

Coldpresssoapsaremadefromscratch.Thesoap-makingprocessutilizesnoadditionalheat,thusthenamecold.However,thecoldprocesssoapmakinggeneratesheat.

HotProcessSoaps

Soapmakersapplyadditionalheattomakethissoaptype.Thechemicalreactionoccursfasterthantheprocessusedincoldprocesssoapmaking.Itissmoothertotouch,anditshardnessusuallydependsonfactorssuchastheamountofwater,oils,andothers.

Ready-MadeBaseSoaps

Thesearesoapsmadefromready-madesoapsratherthanfromscratch.Inmakingthissoaptype,youneedtomeltthebarsoapandaddcolor,scents,andotheringredients.Thelaststepistopourthemixtureintothemolds.

GlycerinSoaps

Glycerinistypicallyproducedwhileyouareintheprocessofmakingthesoap.Glycerin,whichisahumectantorwater-lovingsubstance,cansignificantlyhelpmoisturizetheskin.Glycerinsoapshavemorewaterandcanattractwaterinhumidconditions.

TransparentSoaps

Thesesoapscontainsomealcoholtochangethesoap-makingprocess.Thosewhomakethissoaptypeshouldusehightemperaturestoproduceatransparentproduct.Therearetransparentsoapsthatalsocontainglycerin.

KitchenSoaps

Therearetwokindsofkitchensoaps,namelythecleansersanddetergents.Cleanserscontainmildabrasivesandareformulatedtoremovesolidparticles,heavyoil,andstainsthatarehardtoremove.Dishdetergents,ontheotherhand,areformulatedtoeliminatetoughgreaseandsoliddirtparticles.

LaundrySoaps

Thesearebarsoapsthatcanremovesolidparticles,grease,anddirtfromclothes.Therearealsolaundrysoapsthatcomeinpowder,liquid,andgelforms.Beforelaundrysoapswereinvented,peopleusedsoapflakesinwashingclothes.

CleaningSoaps

Thesesoapsdonotcontainharshabrasives,andtheycancleansoilandgrease.Theyoftencontainsubstancesthatcankillbacteriaandgerms.

PersonalSoaps

Personalsoapscomeinmanyformsandhaveuniqueformulations.Theyarecreatedtomeetthespecifichygieneneedsofconsumers.Examplesofpersonalsoapsareantibacterialsoapsthatcanpreventbacteriafromspreadingaswellasbodyandhairsoaps.

NoveltySoaps

Noveltysoapscomeinvariousshapes,forms,andsizesjusttoattracttheirkidconsumers.Theyarenotjustmadetocleandirtbutalsotoamuseandentertainchildren.Thesesoapscanallurekidsandresembletoyssuchasarubberduck.

PerfumedSoaps

Thesesoapscontainperfumeandafewadditionalingredients.Perfumedsoapsmaybeindifferentformsordesignstocompetewithotherproductssuchasperfumeddeodorant.

GuestSoaps

Guestsoapsaresmallsoapsthathaveattractiveshapessuchasseashells,flowers,and

rounds.Theyaremadetobeusedbyguestsandareusuallyusedinhotelsandotherestablishments.

BeautySoaps

Thesesoapshaveveryattractivefragrances,andtheynormallycontainingredientsthataresuitableforavarietyofskintypes.Therearebeautysoapsavailableforpeoplewithoilyskin,sensitiveskin,orevendryskin.

MedicatedSoaps

Thesearesoapsthathavedisinfectantsandantiseptics.Thissoaptypeisbelievedtobebetterinkillingbacteriacomparedtotheregularsoapandwater.Medicatedsoapsarepopularinareaswheremicrobialcontaminationiscommon.

Soaptypesvaryaccordingtomanyfactors.Theycanrequiredifferentingredientsandmethods.Aspiringsoapmakersshouldseetoitthattheydotherightstepsinsoap-makingtoachievetheirgoals.

Molding Made Easy with Glycerin Soaps

Glycerinisfamousforitsmoisturizingproperties.Itisacolorlesscompoundandagoodsolvent.Additionally,itdissolveseasilyinwater.Whatmakesitmorepopularisthatitcanabsorbwaterfromtheatmosphere,andthismeansitcanhelphydrateyourskin.Glycerinisaby-productofsoapmadefromfatandlye.Manufacturersremoveglycerinfromsoapsanduseitinotherproductssuchaslotions.Manyaspiringsoapmakers,ontheotherhand,stilluseglycerin.

HowtoMakeGlycerinSoaps

BuySupplies.Glycerinisavailableincraftstores.Itcomesinsolid,soapbase,meltableblocks.Youcanalsomakeyourownglycerinifyouwant.However,itiseasiertobuyglycerinthanmakeit.Glycerincanbeclear,white,orsomeothercolor.Thesewouldlookalittletransparentregardlessofwhatcoloryouchoose.Asidefromglycerin,youalsoneedotheringredientsandmaterialssuchassoapmolds,essentialoils,andrubbingalcohol.

MelttheGlycerininaDoubleBoiler.Cuttheglycerinintochunkstomakethemeasiertomelt.Placethepiecesinadoubleboiler,addwater,andsettomediumheat.Makesurethatyoucontinueheatingthemixtureuntilglycerinmeltscompletely.Ifyoudonothaveadoubleboilerathome,youcanalsousetwopots.Makesurethatthesecondislargerthanthefirstpot.Pourthewaterintoalargepot,letthesmallpotfloat,andsettomediumheat.

StirtheEssentialOils.Bearinmindthatessentialoilsarehighlyconcentrated,soyouneedtoaddjustafewdropsofit.Youcanuseawoodenspooninstirring.Continuetostiruntiltheoiliscombinedwithglycerinthoroughly.Youmaythenremovethemixturefromtheheat.

PreparetheSoapMolds.Placepapertowelsunderneaththemolds,sprayrubbingalcohol

insidethesoapmolds,andcoattheareasinsidethem.Asmentionedinthepreviouschapter,alcoholpreventsbubblesfromdevelopingwhenthemixturecoolsanddries.Failuretousealcoholcanresulttoasoapthatisfullofbubbles.

PourtheSoap.Thenextstepistopourthemixtureintothemolds.Makesurethatyoufilleachmoldwithjustenoughsoapmixtureanddonotletitoverflow.Youcanuseafunnelintransferringthesoapmixturefromthedoubleboilertothemolds.Doitquicklyasthesoapcangetcoolbeforereachingthemolds.Youcanreheatthesoapmixtureifitgetstoocoldtopour.Spraythemixturewithmorealcoholafterpouringitintothemoldsforthesamereasondiscussedpreviously.

LetItCool.Allowthesoapmixturecooldownforacoupleofhours.Whentheyarecompletelyhard,youhavetoinvertthemoldandtapthebackuntilthesoappopsout.Storeglycerinsoapsproperly,preferablyinanair-tightcontainer.

Youcanchoosefromanextensivearrayofsoapmolds.Youcanalsostartbyusingjustarectangularmoldandbasicingredients.Lateron,youcanexperimentandimproveyoursoap-makingskills.

Soap-Making Ingredients & Supplies

Ifyouwanttolearntheartofmakingsoaps,whetherasahobbyorabusiness,youshouldmakecertainthatyouknowtheingredientsandsuppliesyouneed.Therearesoap-makingkitsavailableinthemarket,butitisbesttoknowdiscoverthebasicingredientsandsuppliesneededbyyourself.

Soap-MakingIngredients

Choosingtheingredientsmayrequireyoutoconsiderthesoap-makingprocessyouwillemploy.Theseprocessesarethemeltandpour,coldprocess,hotprocess,andre-batching.

LyeSodiumHydroxideLyeisanessentialingredientinsoapmaking.Itiscombinedwithoilorfattomakesoap.Youcancreatelyebymixingsodiumhydroxideflakeswithaliquid.Asmentionedinthepreviouschapters,thechemicalreactionproducedfromacombinationoflyeandoilsiscalledsaponification.Aftertheprocessofsaponification,soapismade.

WaterWaterisanotherimportantingredientinsoapmaking.Itdiluteslyecrystalsandservesasacarrierforthelye.Itisimportanttorememberthatchoosingthetypeofwatertouseisinvaluable.Youshouldnotusetapwaterasitusuallycontainsimpuritiesandmineralssuchasmagnesiumorcalciumaswellasorganicmaterials.Youneedtousepure,uncontaminatedrainwaterordistilledwaterinmakingsoaps.

Oils&FatsOilsandfatsareinvaluableinsoapmaking.Youneedtochoosetherightoilsandfatsasthey

cangreatlyinfluencetheresultsofyoursoap-makingactivity.Differentoilsandfatscanhavevaryingeffectsonthesoap.Checkoutthedetailsbelowtohaveanideaofhowcertainoilsandfatscanaffectyourresults.

Apricotkerneloilactsasthesoapsconditioningoilandisidealformassagebars.

Beeswaxaddshardnessandbeautifulscentstothesoap.

Cocoabutterhardenssoapandprovidesgorgeousmoisture.

Lardisnicelymoisturizingandveryeconomical.

Oliveoilisidealforallskintypes,makessoapbarshard,andisverymoisturizing.

Sweetalmondoilofferslow,stablelatherandisgoodinmoisturizing.

WheatgermoilhashighlevelsofvitaminEandantioxidantproperties.

Herbs,Flowers,&RootsHerbs,flowers,androotsarenormallyusedbythosewhowanttomakenaturalhomemadesoaps.Therearemanyoptionstochoosefrom,andyoucanpickoneaccordingtocolor.Forinstance,ifyouaremakingapinksoap,youcanusemadderroot,butifyouwantgoldenorange,youcanchoosecalendulapetals.Youcanuseherbsandflowerstodecorateyoursoap.Rootsarealsobeneficialformedicinalpurposes.

ColoringTherearenaturalwaysofaddingcolorstosoapssuchascocoabeanforbrown,paprikaforred,oralkanetrootforpurple.However,therearealsootheroptionssuchaspigments,FD&Ccolorants,andmicas.Pigments,whenusedinsoapmaking,arestable,andtheydonotchangethecolorsinsoap.FD&Ccolorantscomeinawidevarietyofcolors,andtheyarealsoeasytouse.MicascanbecoatedwithacombinationofpigmentsandFD&Ccolorants.

Soap-MakingSupplies

Soap-MakingScaleAsoap-makingscaleisanimportanttoolforsoapmakers.Therearemanyvarietiesavailabletoday.Youneedagoodscaletoweighyouringredientssuchasoils,fats,butter,andlye.Tofindtheperfectsoapscale,youneedtoconsiderfactorssuchasaccuracy,size,graduation,andunitofmeasurement.

SoapMoldsTheseareheat-resistantmoldsthatholdthesoapmixtureandgiveitshape.Therearemanytypesofmolds,andtheycomeinvaryingshapesandsizes.Soapmoldscomeinshapessuchasseashells,flowers,andfoodlikecookiesandbrownies.Youcanchoosetheplainmolds,

heavygrade,orevenplasticcontainers.Moldsonlycostabout$5to$10.Theyareavailableonlineoratlocalcraftstores.

Herearethesoapmoldoptionsthatyoucanchoosefrom:

WoodMolds.Woodisporous,andtheycanabsorboilsinthesoapmixture.Theyarenormallydurableandsturdyandareidealforcoldprocessorhotprocessmethods.Whenyoupurchasewoodmolds,makesurethattheycomewithasiliconeliner.

PlasticMolds.Plasticmoldsaregreatforsoapmaking.Thereisawidevarietyofplasticmoldsavailableinthemarket.Youcanalsousehouseholdplasticmoldssuchasrubbercontainers.Ifyouareplanningtoreusehouseholdplasticmolds,makesuretheyarecleanandfreefromfooddebris.

SiliconeMolds.Thesearemadefromflexiblematerialandareverypopularsoapmolds.

KitchenEquipment

Therearekitchentoolsthatyoucanuseinmakingsoaps.Youcanuseapottoheatthemixture.Measuringutensilsareessentialtohavetherightamountofingredients.Youmayalsoneedthermometers,bowls,spatula,spoons,andknives.

Thesearethemostbasicingredientsandsuppliesforsoapmaking.Itisinvaluablethatyouknowhowtousethesesuppliesandhowyoucanmakethemostoutofthemtocreatethebestsoaps.

All About Lye & Saponification

Lyeandsaponificationhavealreadybeenmentionedinthepreviouschapters.However,therearemanythingsthatyouneedtoknowaboutthem.Completelyunderstandingthetwowillhelpyoumakesoapefficiently.

WhatIsLye?

Thisisanalkalinechemicalusedinmakingsoapsandothercleaningagents.Alsoknownassodiumhydroxide,itisconsideredtobeadangerouscompound.However,despiteitsreputation,lyeisnotjustusedfordetergentsandcleanersbutalsotocurefoodsuchasgreenolivesandpretzels.Lyehasbeenusedasaningredientinsoapmakingformanycenturies.Peopleclaimthattoomuchlyecanirritateandburntheskin.However,youcannotmakesoapswithoutlye,andwhendonecorrectly,lyewillnotcauseanyharmfuleffects.

WhatIsSaponification?

Asdiscussedinthepreviouschapters,saponificationinvolvesthephysicalreactionbetweensodiumhydroxideorlyeandoils.Theproductsofthischemicalreactioncanbeglycerinorsoap.Althoughwaterispresent,itdoesnotjointhechemicalreaction.Thewordsaponificationalsomeanssoapmaking.ItoriginatesfromtheLatinwordsapo,whichmeanssoap.

WhatOilsandAlkalitoUse

Youneedtochoosetheoilproperlyasitcangreatlyinfluencetheoutcomeofyoursoapmakingactivity.Forinstance,coconutoilisverystable,makeshugebubblylather,andcreateslotsofglycerin.Ifyouwantacreamierlatherandnaturalantioxidants,thenyoucanchoose

oliveoil.Therearemanyoiloptionstochoosefromandyoucanchooseoneaccordingtohowyouwantyoursoaptobelike.

Youcanusepotassiumhydroxideforalkaliinmakingthesaponificationprocess.Potassiumhydroxideisidealforthosewhowanttomakesoftsoaporliquidsoap.Thosewhowanttomakebarsoapshouldchoosesodiumhydroxide.

LyeandSaponificationBeforeandNow

Recently,archaeologistsdiscoveredapapyrusscrollthatcontainsMesopotamianwritings.Itrevealedinstructionsonhowtomakelyesoapsusinganimalfatandalkalinesalts.LyesoapsareverypopularintheearlyAmericantimes.Theyusewaterandwoodashtoformalyesolution.Peopleduringthosetimesdidnothaveenoughknowledgeaboutsoapchemistry,andtheydidnotpracticetherightweighingandmeasuringtechniques.Theyperformedasaponificationprocessthatproducedskin-insensitivesoaps.Today,commerciallyproducedsoapshavesmallamountsofalkaliinthem.

Thesecretinminimizingthechanceofburningistosprinklethelyeintotheliquidinsidethecontainer.Mixinglyewithliquidinsomeotherwaycouldresulttofoamingthatcanalsocausesevereskinburns.

Lyeisanimportantpartofthesaponificationprocess.However,itcanproducechemicalburnswhentheskinisdirectlyexposedtoit.Itisimportantthatyoutakeprecautionsinusinglyewhilemakingthesoap.Whenusedproperly,youwillbeabletoachievetheresultsyoudesire.

Safety Issues You Need to Know

Anincreasingnumberofpeoplearoundtheworldaremakinghomemadesoaps.Theymakesoapsintheirbasements,kitchens,barns,andgarages.Someareexperiencedsoapmakerswhileothersarejustbeginners.However,regardlessoftheirsoap-makingskilllevels,theyneedtofollowsafetyrulesandpracticeprecautionsinmakingsoaps.Belowarethesafetyissuesandtipsthatyouneedtorememberwhendoingthecraft

SafetyIssuestoConsider

Thepresenceofchildrenandpetsisamajorfactorwhenconsideringsafetyissues.Thus,youshouldhaveanappropriatevenuetoperformsoap-makingactivities.

TipsforaSafeSoap-MakingExperience

SetSoap-MakingTimeSettingasoap-makingscheduleisessential,especiallyforthosewholivewithchildrenandpetsathome.Thesafesttimetomakesoapsiswhenthechildrenareinschoolorasleep.Justmakesurethatyourchildren,eveniftheyarealreadyteenagers,arenotneartheareawhereyoumakesoaps.Youshouldalsoensurethatifyouhavepets,yousecurethemoutofyourway.

FindtheBestSpotThebestplacetomakesoapsisinthekitchencounter,preferablynearthesink.Itwouldevenbebetterifthecounterisinbetweenthestoveandsinkandyourkitchenhasverygoodlighting.Ifitisnotpossibletobeclosetothesink,thenthenextoptionistousealargebucketasasink.Youcanalsosetupasoap-makingroomthatisawayfromyourfamilyandpetswhereyoucanstoreandlockyoursupplies.Makesurethatyoursoap-makingareaisclean

andfreefromunnecessaryappliancesandotherthings.Washthecounterwellandensurethatthereisnostandingwater.Youalsoneedtocleanthefloortoavoidaccidents.

GatherSoap-MakingSafetyItemsTherearesoap-makingsafetyitemsthatyoushouldalwayshavetoprotectyourselffromburnsandotherundesirableconsequences.Youneedtogetrubberglovesthatcanprotectyourhandsfromchemicalsandheat.Itmustmeasurehalfwaytoyourelbow.Safetyglassescanalsoprotectyoufromsplatters.Youcangotopharmaciesandgrocerystorestofindsafetyglasses.Anothersafetyitemisafullcanvasapronthatcanprotectyourclothingandskin.Getagoodpairofshoesandavoidmakingsoapswearingsandalsorinbarefeet.

PrepareAppleCiderVinegarGetacupandpourapplecidervinegar.Makesurethatthecupishalffullofthevinegarandplaceitwithinyourreach.Youcanusethevinegarinemergencysituationssuchaswhenthelyetouchesyourskin.Ithelpsneutralizethelyeespeciallywhenitisburningyourskin.

StoreandHandleLyeWiselyAsmentionedinthepreviouschapters,lyecanbedangerousifmishandledormisused.Makesurethatitisstoredinaplacewhereitisnotaccessibletochildren.Ifapersoninhalesevenjustitsdust,itcancauseaseriouslungdisease.Putitinacontainerandplaceitinastorageareathatotherscannotaccesseasily.

MixingYourLyeSolutionEveryaspiringsoapmakershouldunderstandthatventilationisinvaluableinmakingsoaps.Whilemixingthelyewithwater,itreleasestoxicfumesforabout5to10minutes.Youneedtomixthelyesolutionoutdoorsormakesurethattheareaisverywellventilated.Donotleavethesolutionunattended.Itisalsobesttowearamaskwhiledealingwithlyesincethechemicalcanburnyourlungs.Whenmeasuringandsprinklinglyeintothewater,youneedtoeitherwearamaskorholdyourbreath.

Lastly,youneedtocleanupallyoursuppliesafterusingthemespeciallythosethathavebeenusedinhandlinglye.Cleanallyourequipmentproperlyincludingtheentireworkarea.Moreimportantly,followtherightsoap-makingsteps.Itisimportanttobereadyforerrorsandaccidentsandknowwhattodowhentheyhappen.

Soap Making & Carrier Oils

Thepreviouschaptershavealreadydiscussedmanyimportantaspects,steps,andtopicsaboutsoapmaking.Thischapterwillteachyoutheprocessinwhichyoucanstartmakingyourfirstsoap.Youwillalsolearnaboutcarrieroilsintheendpartofthischapter.

StepsinSoapMaking

ChoosetheIngredients.Therearequiteanumberofingredientsavailableforsoapmaking.Youcanchooseaccordingtotherecipeyouuse.Onebasicrecipeinvolvestheuseofoliveoilformoisturizing,coconutoilforgoodlather,palmoilforafirmbar,Sheabutterformoisturizing,lye,andwater.Makesurethatyoucheckeveryrecipeyouuseandseetoitthatthereciperecommendstherightamountoflye.

Soap-MakingTools.Inadditiontothetoolspreviouslydiscussed,youcanalsouseastickblenderorimmersionblendertomakestirringextremelyeasy.Otherthingsthatyoumayneedarefreezerpaperandcardboardbox.Youcanusethefreezerpapertolinethesoapmoldandpreventthesoapfromsticking.Useacardboardboxwithasizethatcancoveryoursoapmold.

Soap-MakingProcess.Thefirstthingthatyouneedtodoismeasureyouringredients.Youmaythenmeltthesolidoilsoverlowheat.Thenextstepistomakethelyesolutionandmakesurethatyoupracticesafetyprecautionswhiledoingit.Youmaythencombinetheliquidoilswiththemeltedsolidoils.Letthelyesolutioncooldownandcheckitstemperature.Itshouldbeabout110degreesFahrenheit.Pourthelyesolutionintothepotwithoilsanduseastickblendertostir.Themixtureshouldnowlooklikeapancakebatter.

Addfragrancesandcolorsandpourthesoapbatterintothemold.Youcancutthesoapafter

24hoursandgiveittimetoageforweeks.Donotforgettocleanallyourtoolsproperlyafterusing.

WhatAreCarrierOils?

Nowthatyoualreadyhaveanideaabouthowtomakesoapsusingthebasicrecipe,itistimethatyoulearnaboutcarrieroils.Thisisoilobtainedfromseeds,nuts,kernels,orotherfattyportionoftheplant.Essentialoilscancauseseriousskinirritationtosomeindividualsifappliedundiluted.Carrieroilstakecareofdilutingessentialoilsandotherconcentratedaromatics.Theyarecalledassuchbecausetheyactasacarrierofessentialoilsontotheskin.

Carrieroilscanvaryaccordingtotheircharacteristicsandthetherapeuticpropertiestheyoffer.Youneedtochooseacarrieroilaccordingtothetherapeuticbenefitsitoffers.Therearemanyproductssuchaslipbalms,creams,bodyoils,naturallotions,andothermoisturizingskincareproductsthatusecarrieroils.

EssentialOilsversusCarrierOils

Whatmakesessentialoilsdifferentfromcarrieroilsisthattheyaredistilledfromthebark,roots,leaves,andotheraromaticportionsoftheplant.Theyhaveaconcentratedaromaandcanevaporate.Carrieroils,ontheotherhand,arederivedfromaplantsfattyportions.Theydonotevaporateandarenotaromaticlikeessentialoils.Theycangorancidovertimeunlikeessentialoilsthatoxidizes.Carrieroilsarealsofixedoils,vegetableoils,orbaseoils.

Carrieroilsareodorless,buttheycanalsohavenutty,sweetaroma.Examplesofvegetableoilsthatareusedasacarrieroilsaresweetalmondoil,apricotkerneloil,avocadooil,kukuinutoil,macadamianutoil,meadowfoamoil,borageseedoil,oliveoil,peanutoil,pecanoil,pomegranateseedoil,cranberryseedoil,eveningprimroseoil,rosehipoil,fractionatedcoconutoil,grapeseedoil,andmanyothers.

CarrierOilsandSoapMaking

Carrieroilscanaffectsoapsdifferently.Forinstance,lauricacidwhichispresentinpalmoilandcoconutoillatherswell,isverygoodatcleaning,andhardensthesoap.However,itcanalsodrytheskin.Linoleicacidinflaxseedoilandhempseedoilcanleaveasilkyfeelontheskin.Ricinoleicoil,whichispresentincastoroil,canmakeabarofsoapsofterandmoisturizetheskin.Italsoconditionstheskinandmakesagoodlather.

Whenshoppingforcarrieroilsmakesurethatyouconsidercertainfactors.Thesefactorsincludeprocessingmethod,nutrients,essentialfattyacids,price,color,aroma,viscosity,shelflife,absorption,andifitisorganicorconventional.

Using Essential Oils in Your Homemade Soap

Makingthebestsoapwouldnotbecompletewithoutessentialoils.Theseoilsarepopularfortheirnumerousbenefits,althoughmostpeopleutilizethemforaromatherapy.However,itisalsoanimportantingredientinsoapmakingasitprovidesnaturalscenttohomemadesoaps.Thischapterwilldiscusseverythingthatanaspiringsoapmakershouldknowaboutessentialoils.

WhatAreEssentialOils?

Essentialoilsareorganiccompoundsthatcanbefoundonseeds,flowers,barks,androotsofaplant.Theyarenottechnicallyoilsbutrathercomplexchemicalcompounds.Peopleusedifferentmethodstoextractthescentedparticlesfromplants.Everysoapmakershouldknowthatsomeessentialoilsarenotpure.Therearethosemixedwithoilsandsynthetics.Cheapoilsareexamplesofimpureessentialoils.

Thereareoilsthatprovidehighlyvolatilefirstflushofscentssuchasanise,basil,bay,Citronelle,eucalyptus,lemon,lime,mandarin,spearmint,tangerine,sweetbirch,andorangesweet.Therearealsothosewithscentsthattakelongertonoticesuchascatnip,blackpepper,chamomile,clarysage,clovesage,cinnamonleaf,nutmeg,oregano,neroli,andjasmine.Ifyouwantheavy,rich,andlong-lastingscents,youcanchoosefromcedarwood,oakmoss,benzoin,vanilla,sandalwood,rosewood,andylang-ylang.

EssentialOilsandTheirQualities

Essentialoilsarenotjustusedforthepurposeofaddingscentstothesoap.Theycanbeusedtoaddmorequalitiestothesoapthroughtheirantibacterialandotherproperties.Youmayrefertothesectionbelowinchoosingthebestessentialoilsuitableforyourneeds.

Acne.Ifyouarechoosingessentialoilsthatyoucanuseinmakinganti-acnesoaps,thenyoucanoptforchamomile,cedarwood,lavender,bergamot,lemon,rosemary,palmarosa,teatree,andclovebud.Otheranti-acneessentialoilstochoosefromaretangerine,thyme,sandalwood,spearmint,peppermint,andmandarin.

Antibacterial.Thebestessentialoilsforantibacterialsoapsareblackpepper,nutmeg,oregano,citronella,sweetmarjoram,pine,thyme,clarysage,sweetorange,andPerubalsam.

Antiseptic.Ifyouarelookingforoilswithantisepticproperties,youcanchoosefromginger,jasmine,eucalyptus,bergamot,spearmint,petitgrain,basil,fennel,bergamot,vetiver,myrrh,andgrapefruitoils.

SkinConditions.Ifyouhavedryskin,youcanmakesoapthatcontainsPerubalsam,frankincense,rosewood,lavender,jasmine,orchamomile.Forthosewhoaresufferingfromeczema,theyshouldmakeasoapthathaspalmarosa,peppermint,rose,lavender,cedarwood,andmyrrh.

InsectBitesandRepellents.Thosewhowanttohealinsectbitesshouldmakesoapswithteatree,bergamot,chamomile,cinnamon,lemon,eucalyptus,andylang-ylang.Forinsectrepellentsoaps,youcanchooselemon,citronella,pine,sandalwood,Norwood,cinnamonleaf,andgeranium.

HowtoUseEssentialOilsforSoapmaking

1.Thefirstthingthatyouneedtodoisknowhowtochoosethebestcombinationsofessentialoils.Youcanpurchaseatleastfiveessentialoilsandmakesurethattheonesyouchooseblendwellwitheachother.Herearethebestessentialoilcombinations:

Patchouli,sandalwood,andcedar Blackpepper,neroli,geranium,andylang-ylang Courmain,oakmoss,andlavender Cinnamon,tonkabean,andvanilla Rose,civet,amber,andbergamot

2.Findanemptybottleanduseittostoreyourblend.3.Thenextstepistoexperimentandcreateyourownrecipes.Ifyouwantafeelgood

blend,youcancombinerosegeranium,blackpepper,palmarosa,andneroli.Forarescueblend,youcancombineessentialoilssuchasmyrrh,frankincense,lavender,andelemi.

4.Onceyoualreadyhavetheessentialoilblend,youcanstoreitinabottle.Youneedtotightenthelidandplacethebottleinadarkplaceforaboutoneweek.Duringthisspanoftime,theoilswillstartblending,sodonotopenthebottleandstirityourself.

5.Afteroneweek,youcanaddtheessentialoiltoyoursoapbatter.Youcanaddtwotothreedropsofessentialoil.

Youcanpurchaseessentialoilsatgrocerystores,localcraftstores,andevenonline.Youjustneedtomakesurethatyouchoosepureessentialoilsastheyarehealthierandmoreeffective

options.

Basic Soap Recipes for Beginners

Oneofthebestthingsaboutsoapmakingisthattherearethousandsofsoaprecipestotry,andthisisespeciallyhelpfulforbeginners.Therecipesinthenextsectionrequiresimpleingredientsandsuppliesforsoapmaking.

Knowhowtocreateyourownsoapandenjoytheexperienceoflearning!

Basic4-OilRecipe

Itcantakeyouonehourtopreparethissoap.Youneedtohavethefourmajoringredients,namelypalmoil,coconutoil,oliveoil,andcastoroil.Likeothersoaprecipes,youwillalsoneedlyewaterandfragranceoiltomakethissoap.Youneedtofollowthesamebasicsoap-makingstepsforthisrecipe.Afterpouringthesoapmixtureintothemold,youneedtoletitcooloffandhardenbywaitingfor12to24hours.Youmaythenremovethesoapfromthemoldandwaitforabouttwotofourweekstoletitcure.

PumpkinSoapRecipe

Forthisrecipe,youwillbeneedingoliveoil,coconutoil,sunfloweroil,water,andlye.Youneedtousethecoldprocessmethodinmakingthissoap.Itiswisetopurchase100%sodiumhydroxideaslye.Youcanalsoaddpumpkinpureewhetheritishomemadeorcanned.Youcanalsoaddannattoseedpowdertoachieveamoreorangecoloronyoursoap.

HomemadeLavenderSoap

Thisisaneasylavendersoaprecipe,andthereareonlyafewingredientsinvolvedinmakingit.Youneedcubesofgoatsmilksoap,whichyouwillhavetomeltoverlowtomediumheat.

Whenthecubeshaveturnedintoliquid,youcanaddafewdropsoflavenderextract.Youalsoneedtoaddsomelavenderandcolorant.Stirthesoapbatterandpourintothemold.

LemonGrass&OliveOilSoapBars

Youneedtohaveingredientssuchasannattoseeds,oliveoil,lemongrassfragranceoil,andoliveoilmeltandpoursoapbase.Youneedtosimmertheoliveoilandannattoseedsoverlowheat.Microwavetheoliveoilmeltandpoursoapbaseuntilitmelts.Combinetheliquidsandaddthelemongrassfragrance.Youcancontinuebypouringthebatterintothemoldandletitcure.

GardenMintSoapRecipe

Thissoapcanhelprefreshyoursenseandsootheskinirritations.Prepareingredientssuchasavocadooil,coconutoil,oliveoil,castoroil,mangobutter,lye,andmint-infusedwater.Youcanusefreshordriedmint.Therearevarietiesofmintstochoosefromsuchasapplemint,pineapplemint,spearmint,andorangemint.Youneedtousethecoldprocessmethodinmakingthissoap.

CoconutOilSoap

Youneedcoconutoil,lye,water,andessentialoilsforthisrecipe.Youneedequipmentsuchasacrockpot,stickblender,digitalscale,athermometer,glassmeasuringcups,smallglassbowls,plasticspoon,bowl,mold,andrubberspatula.Itisessentialtouseadigitalscaleinweighingtheingredients.YoucanalsouseapHstriptoseeifthesoapbatterisreadyforthemold.Thesoapbattershouldalsolooklikesemi-translucentVaselinewithoutoilpuddlesinthemiddle.

ChamomileColdProcessSoapRecipe

Astherecipenameindicates,thissoapneedstobedoneusingthecoldpressmethod.Theingredientsneededarecanolaoil,chamomile-infusedoliveoil,coconutoil,palmoil,ricebranoil,lye,distilledwater,chamomiletea,andchamomilebuds.Followthecoldprocessmethodandusetheingredients.Youcanaddsomechamomileessentialoilstothesoapbatterifyouwantmorescent.

AloeVeraSoapRecipe

Forthisrecipe,youwillneedingredientssuchasoliveoil,coconutoil,lard,sheabutter,aloegelandwaterpuree,lye,andwater.Youcanfollowthestandardproceduresforsoapmakingwiththisrecipe.Useonlythealoeveragelandskiptheleaves.Afterpouringthebatterintothemold,youcanletitsitfor2daysandcureforabout4weeks.

AcneSoapRecipes

Therearehealingingredientsthatareidealforacnesoaps.Youcanchoosekokumbutterandoilssuchascoconutoil,hazelnutoil,emuoil,extravirginoliveoil,jojobaoil,andneemoil.Therearealsoanti-acneoilssuchasteatree,lavender,helichrysum,galbanum,andthymelinalool.Forhydrosols,youcanchooseclove,helichrysum,frankincense,cornflower,andwitchhazel.Theherbsandextractsthatalsocontainhealingpropertiesincludewhitewillowbark,blackwillowbark,neem,tomatopowder,jaborandileaf,orstrawberryleaf.

BeeswaxSoapRecipe

Prepareingredientssuchascanolaoil,almondoil,coconutoil,oliveoil,soybeanoil,beeswax,lye,water,andhoney.Thisrecipeiseasytofollowasyouonlyneedtoheatoils,addbeeswax,andletthemixturecool.Youjustneedtofollowthestandardsoap-makingstepsinmakingthebeeswaxsoap.

TeaTreeSoapRecipe

Teatreehashighlevelsofmedicinalproperties,anditisagreatingredientforsoapmaking.Itisantibacterial,antiseptic,andantifungal,whichmakesitidealforthosewhosufferfromoilyskin,psoriasis,oracne.Youneedtoprepareingredientssuchascoconutoil,oliveoil,sweetalmondoil,avocadooil,water,andlye.Theseingredientscanhelpyoumakeaconditioningandcleansingbar.

CastileSoapRecipe

Theingredientsneededforthisrecipeareoliveoil,coconutoil,palmoil,coldwater,fragranceoils,andlye.Theseingredientscanhelpyoumakeamild,puresoapespeciallyifyouareabeginner.Youneedtousethecoldprocessmethodinmakingthissoap.Youcanalsotopyoursoapwithcolorfulherbsandflowers.

Thesearejustsomeofthethousandsofsoaprecipesavailableforyou.Onceyouhavealreadymasteredallthesoap-makingmethods,youcanexperimentandtryonotheringredients.Youcanmakesoapsthatcansatisfyyouandyourfamilysneeds.

Conclusion

Manysuccessfulprofessionals,whohavestableemploymentandincome,quittheirjobstobecomeasoapmaker.Therearequiteanumberofhousewiveswhochoosetomaketheirownsoapsinsteadofbuyingfromthegrocerystores.Soapmakingisaninterestinghobbyandbusiness.Determinationandhardworkarethekeystosucceedinmakingthebest-smelling,highlyefficient,andsafe-to-usesoaps.

Youcanstartbybuyingsoap-makingkitsastheynormallyhavethepremeasuredingredientsthatarereadytouse.Youcanalsopurchasetheingredientsonyourown,followthesoap-makingsteps,andstartexperimenting.Ifyouareinterestedinmakingsoapproductionyourlong-termhobbyorbusiness,thenyouneedtofindwaystoimproveyourskills.Doingsowillhelpyoumakeyoursoap-makingexperienceenjoyableandrewarding.

Rememberthesafetyprecautionsinmakingsoapsaswellasthetipsonthebestingredientstouse.Bearinmindthatyouwillusethesoapforyourskin,anditisonlyrightthatyouchoosethehealthiestingredientsavailable.Findthemostreliablestorestopurchaseyouringredients.Askpeopleandseekrecommendationsabouthowyoucanimproveyoursoap-makingskills.

Soapmakingdoesnotjustrequireyoutohavealltheingredientsandsuppliesneeded.Youalsoneedtodevelopyourconfidenceandcreativityskills.Beconfidentinexperimentingandexploringyourskills.Thiscansignificantlyhelpyoucreatebeautifulandefficientsoaps.

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Congratulations! You made it to the end of the book!

If you enjoyed this book, I hope you will go over to Amazon again and leave a review.

Thank you for your time and I hope you learned something!

About the Author

Shepridesherselfinbeingafunandfrugalmom.Shelovestheoutdoorsandmakingahugemesswhileshecookswithherchildren.

Emma'shobbiesrangefromcouponingtocraftsandshelovesthethrillofsavingmoneywhenevershecan.

HerhusbandandchildrenliveahappyandslightlyhecticlifeattimeswiththeirtwoGoldenRetrieversandaparrotnamedPetey.

Additional Resources

Simple Family Vacation Planning

Money Saving Tips and Recipes for the Frugal Homemaker

Travel Like a Minimalist

Budget-Friendly Romantic Dates

Eating an Organic Diet on a Frugal Budget

Couponing 101: Simple Tips for Saving BIG

The BEST Holiday Cooking Recipes: Easy Party Recipes for Special Occasions

Acknowledgements

A big thank you to all the wonderful photographers whose shared images brought thisbook to life:

- tatlin

- geralt

- csiszarandrea

- PublicDomainPictures

- Judi

- aromaspati Pequena fabric

- katesfishcamp

- Edvard Tam

- Erin

- inspireexpressmiami

IntroductionWhy Make Your Own Soap?How Does Soap Work?Different Types of SoapMolding Made Easy with Glycerin SoapsSoap Making Ingredients & SuppliesAll About Lye & SaponificationSafety Issues You Need to KnowSoap Making & Carrier OilsUsing Essential Oils in Your Homemade SoapBasic Soap Recipes for BeginnersConclusionAbout the AuthorAdditional ResourcesAcknowledgements