Book Review
If you have never made soap then this is a great resource book
for you. Following the Introduction to Soap Making (which outlines
what you will be learning in The Complete Soapmaker) there is a
section called An Overview that talks about the properties of commercial
soaps and handmade soaps, the various techniques of making soap
and how it as evolved over the years as well as definitions for
the terms you will encounter that apply to the soaps in this book.
What I really liked about this book was the user friendly style
the author has created. Also in the Overview section is an index
of sorts with photos and an outline of what you will be learning
in each chapter of the book. I like that there is visual representation
of the soapmaking process because some people are more visual and
this helps you to better understand what you have to do. The author
seems to understand that learning to do something works best using
a step-by-step process and breaks it down for you so the steps are
clear and easy. There are hints and tips above each section on soaps,
about their uses, their benefits and in the case of the Fruit Soaps,
how to preserve them because of their perishable contents. The reason
this book is good for beginners is because the author recommends
you start with mastering basic soapmaking so you can continue the
learning process and make more complex soaps. Before you get started
actually making soap there are detailed sections in The Complete
Soapmaker you need to read on Equipment and Supplies, Ingredients,
Working Carefully, Rendering Tallow and (Master Instructions for)
Basic Soaps before getting into the Basic Soap Recipes.
The basic soaps include (Plain White Soap, Vegetarian’s Choice
Soap, Palm Oil Soap, Cocoa Creme Soap, Nineteenth-Century Soap,
Homesteader’s Soap, Olive Oil Castile Soap). Once you feel
comfortable and confident in your soapmaking skills you can continue
on with Hand-Milled Soaps. Before attempting any of these recipes
you need to read the sections on Selecting Recipes, Tips and Making
Larger Batches of Hand-Milled Soaps as well as the Master Instructions
for Hand-Milled Soaps and Using The Recipes. Once you have acquainted
yourself with this information you are ready to choose a recipe,
which are further broken down into sections on abrasive soaps (Almond
Meal, Gardener’s Friend, Oatmeal, Golden Maize Abrasive, Bran,
Wheat Germ and Honey), Herbal Soaps (Sage, Chamomile, Glycerin and
Rose Water, Calendula, Rosemary, Fields of Lavender, Aloe Vera Bars,
Marshmallow Bars), Skin-Softening Soaps (Vitamin E Bars, Milk and
Honey Soap, Borax Soap, Cocoa Butter, Buttermilk Bars or Goat’s
Milk Soap, Superfatted Soap), Vegetable Soaps (Cucumber, Carrot,
Lettuce), Fruit Soaps (Avocado, Apricot, Lemon Nutmeg Glycerin Bars,
Triple Lemon Soap, Strawberry Bars, Kiwi Bars), Spice Soaps (Ginger
Bars, Clove Soap, Cinnamon, Orange-Blossom Pomander Bars), Other
Additive Soaps (French Clay Bars, Rosin Bars, English Flower-Garden
Bars, Scandinavian Birch Leaf Soap, Medicated Soap, Skin Balm Bars,
Odor-Eating Soap, Woodsman’s Soap, Witch Hazel Soap, Three
Kings Antibacterial Soap, Fisherman’s Soap, Garden-of-the-Sea
Soap, Balsamic Soap). The remaining types of soaps fit into a category
called Specialty Soaps (Master Instructions for Shampoo for you
and your dog, Herb and Vinegar Hair Rinse, Liquid Soaps and Soap
Gels, Translucent Soaps, Soap Balls, Soap On A Rope, Floating Soap,
Marbled Soap and Confetti Soap).
Finally, don’t miss the Troubleshooting and Adjustments chapter
to ensure your soapmaking experience is a success and the chapter
on Decorating, Storing, Wrapping, and Displaying to finish off your
bars for their final purpose. Personally I find this book is well
written and the soaps are beautifully represented in colorful, creative
photos. I am specifically looking forward to making the Cocoa Creme
Soap because of my love of chocolate, the Aloe Vera Bars for their
skin soothing effects and the Strawberry Bars because they look
good enough to eat. |
