Ruth's Soap Bucket

In a new series of postings, Ruth Esteves is writing about tools that she uses for soapmaking. In this first post for The Nova Studio blog, Ruth is writing about how she keeps her tools for soap making organized in Ruth's Soap Bucket. So stay tuned for more great information about soap making tools from Ruth and The Nova Studio.

Tools/Equipment for Making Your Own Cosmetics

According to Natural Beauty at Home by Janice Cox, the following items you will need for making your own cosmetics and beauty treatments. These items are commonly found in your kitchen and you probably already own. You many not need all of the items listed, for example a blender, electric mixer or spoon can be used for stirring. But in some instances, a blender is going to work better than a spoon. Remember to always keep your equipment clean because you do not want to introduce any foreign ingredients into your cosmetic products. In some cases you may want to choose to have dedicated tools/equipment for cosmetic making and food preparation. That is up to you and what you can afford.

Grater: For grating beeswax, soap, vegetables.

Vegetable peeler: For peeling vegetables and grating beeswax and soap. It is easier to use this item for grating beeswax and cocoa butter since it is quicker and the peeler is easier to clean than a grater.

Citrus Peeler and zester: For peeling citrus fruits and removing the zest.

Knives: For cutting and chopping.

Measuring cups and spoons: Essential for measuring ingredients correctly. I recommend glass or Pyrex measuring cups when making soap by the melt and pour method. The glass heats up faster, in which the soap melts faster. And it is much easier to clean than the plastic version.

Stirring Rod: You can use a chopstick for this task. It is not essential, but it helps with stirring small amounts alot easier.

Pans: Steel and enamel pans work the best. Aluminum and iron sometimes reacts with ingredients.

Old Muffin or Loaf Pans : You can use these for making soap. But spray with a release like Pam. If you don't it makes it difficult to get them out. I do not use these for soap making myself. I prefer the silicone bakeware myself for melt and pour soapmaking. I will use the regular muffin pans for making my muffin bath fizzies.

Blender and/or food processor: Works perfectly for mixing up creams and lotions if you do not have a hand mixer. Make sure your blender is dishwasher sage to cut down on cleaning time.

Hand mixer or electric whisk: Speeds up mixing of creams and lotions like a blender does, since a hand mixer is handheld there is more control than a blender. A hand mixer can be purchase inexpensively, if you choose to have a dedicated mixer.

Coffee Grinder: For grinding peels and herbs. Make sure you clean it well after each use. But, I have always heard to have a separate grinder for coffee and one for herbs.

Funnel: For bottling your products.

Coffee Filters, cheesecloth, paper towels: Place in funnels for filtering solutions and mixtures.

Glass and ceramic bowls: For mixing, hearing in the microwave and storing products.

Eyedroppers: For adding scents and natural preservatives.

Strainer: For straining solutions and mixtures.

Sifter: To remove any lumps or air rate any ingredients such as baking soda, German citric acid, arrowroot.

Stove top, hot plate or electric skillet: Some recipes you will need to melt some ingredients. You do not want to melt your ingredients over direct heat. You will need to create a double boiler, which is a pot with 1 to 2 inches of water in it. Then you place a bowl with your ingredients over boiling water.

Microwave: It is not necessary, but most households have one nowadays. This piece is best when making your soap by the melt and pour method.

Assorted Jars, bottles, bowls, and spray bottles: For storing and applying your cosmetics. These items can be found in a variety of places from your local grocery stores to the internet. You may want to wash your containers prior to putting your cosmetics in. If you have alot, you may want to consider running them through a cycle of the dishwasher.

Flexible Ice Cube Trays

I was in Mollie Stone's in Palo Alto today (3/21) to check out if they had a scent of an essential oil I was looking for. While I was exiting the store, I found that they do sell the flexible ice cube trays. They have a limited selection (hearts, etc.), but there is one I do not have which I plan to buy in the near future.

So if you are looking for some small soap shapes to make they have them in the frozen food section towards the magazine rack.