As early as the time of the Babylonians there has been proof that soap was created with soap like substances being found in jars inscribed with "fast boiling made with ash". Fats, ash and water were combined with wood and was used to wash cloth and the body.
Celts and Arabs enven used aromas such as Thyme oils in their soap making.
In Egypt animal and vegetable oils were combined with salts to create a soap like substance.
In ancient Rome the fat from sacrifices flowed down the river and the result was a soapy clay, in addition urine was used and added to goat tallow and the ashes of the beech tree to create a hard and soft soap. It was in Roman times that the use of soap in the daily bath routine was popularized and the use of soap in their hygiene regimens was accepted.
Celts also used a product called sapio in the making of their soap and this is where the name soap comes from.
In the current day there is a number of ways to make soap, we at Shea Caribe use both the cold and hot process method and one things remains consistent. organic oils, butter and waxes are used in the making of soap.
Cold Process Soaps
No external heat is used in the making of this soap, the oils and butters are mixed based on their hard and soft nature and mixed with "lye" or sodium hydroxide and the process of saponification occurs.
Saponification is the process where ester reacts with an inorganic base to produce alcohol and soap.
The mixing continues until a trace is formed and once scent, clays, powders color etc. is all added the mixture can be placed in a mould to cure for 6 weeks to 3 months.
Hot Process Soap
Hot process soap follows the same process, but the mixture is placed in a crock pot until it gets a vaseline consistency. Scent, color, powders can be added at this stage.
