History of Soap Making – Goats Milk Soap
January 30, 2011 by admin
Filed under Soap Making
The history of soap making began when the earliest recorded evidence of soap-like materials traced back to approximately 2800 BC, found in clay cylinders during the excavation of ancient Babylon. Approximately 2200 BC, soap formula inscriptions were written on the clay saying that fats were boiled with ashes, which are a way of making soap, but there was no reference to the purpose of the soap.
Approximately 1500 BC, ancient Egyptians used animal and vegetable oils, combined with alkaline salts to create a soap-like-substance used for treating skin diseases as well as for washing.
Around 600 BC the Phoenicians used soap for cleaning wool, cotton and textiles prior to weaving and dieing, instead of for human washing.
The early Greeks did not use soap. They washed themselves with blocks of clay, pumice, sand and ashes then anointed they with oil. Afterwards, they scraped sweat and dirt off using a curved bladed metal instrument called a strigil. Much later, in the second century AD, the famous Greek physician, Galen, recommended washing with soap as a preventative measure for certain diseases, especially diseases of the skin.
Bathing became popular in the Roman times. An entire soap factory was discovered in the ruins of Pompeii in 79 AD. The Romans exfoliated using abrasive substances like sand and pumice then scraped off the grime and dirt with sticks or a strigil. Luxurious scented baths and massages followed this exfoliation ritual, with perfumed oils.
By the 13th century when the soap industry was introduced from Italy into France, most soap was produced from the tallow of goats, with beech ash furnishing the alkali.
Moving forward in time, Great Grandma rendered animal fats to get oils, so she was limited to tallow or lard. We have all kinds of terrific oils to choose from, but the lard with some olive oil and coconut oil makes wonderful, basic, castile-type soap. Great Grandma, also, had to make her own lye; we have standardized lye available, commercially.
After researching the science facts; chemical qualities of different oils, the active properties of botanicals, the results of saponification and the physical properties of lather and bubbles, the result produced a mild and gentle, homemade, natural soap. This homemade soap is called goats milk soap.
Goats milk soap offers many skin care benefits, unlike commercial modern day soaps. It contains mild and gentle, natural, ingredients, unlike harsh “chemically manufactured” ingredients or detergents in modern day soaps. Goats milk soap leaves your skin close to its natural pH level, unlike harsh detergent type of soaps. Goats milk soap contains the benefits of vitamins A,B, C, D, E and K. Handmade soap experts confirm that goat milk is the ingredient that makes the difference between regular handmade soap and a miraculous luxury item!
Ingredients can be added to goats milk soap, such as oatmeal or aloe vera juice, to help contribute to their soothing properties. This homemade soap is great for all kinds of skin types including: dry itchy skin, dry flaky skin, oily skin, acne and sensitive skin. Harsh commercial soaps can, actually, contribute to poor skin conditions. Oil production, on the face, is often the skin’s natural reaction against harsh chemicals in commercial soaps. Mild and gentle, healthful, goats milk soaps gently cleanses, softens, soothes, moisturizes and nourishes skin.
Learn from the history of soap. Get back to nature using homemade skin care products such as, natural goats milk soaps. You can have beautiful, healthful, skin the way nature intended.
From the history of soap making to finding homemade, natural, goats milk soap, go to:
www.natural-goat-milk-soap.com/homemade-soap.html or www.natural-goat-milk-soap.com/homemade-liquid-soap.html
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History of Soap Making – Goats Milk Soap
Quilting Tools: A Stimulating Piece Of Quilting History
The European and American quilting tradition was started as a way to add warmth and weight to the undergarments for armor. From that beginning the tradition diverged slightly.
Some European, Victorian age, quilters used every scrap of cloth they had left over from other projects in piecing together what was know as a crazy quilt. Many of these were often used as decorative showpieces for their homes.
American quilters on the other hand, of necessity, created quilts that were more utilitarian in design. They used what material that they had on hand, such as feed sacks, for their fabric blocks to save money. Their aim was to keep their families warm on cold nights and, at times, to make a living selling quilts to single men.
No single design is known to dominate the tradition of quilting. The eventual purpose of the finished quilt, region, or religion often influences the design chosen. Sometimes because of the scarcity of paper and ink quilts were used to record national, local and family history.
Quilts were also used to express caring and friendship to close friends. The friendship quilt was one used for such a purpose. Contributions of blocks or pieces of fabric would be made by a group of quilters to make a quilt for someone special to them. Once there was enough material gathered then the group would come together in what was known as a quilting bee, or circle to finish the quilt.
Another version of a friendship quilt is called an autograph or signature quilt. The community, family, or friends would asked to sign their names on quilt blocks, or pieces in recognition of an individual. Then the quilt is put together by an individual, or a group, as a remembrance of an event of some importance in the life of the recipient.
Not every signature quilt is, or was, created for showing friendship. The raising of funds was the goal. Autographs of notable people are collected on quilt blocks. The blocks would then be sewn together to make a quilt that would be auctioned off, or raffled. Another way the signature quilt would be used in raising money was to charge a fee to those in the community who wished to sign a quilt block themselves.
The crazy quilt design was another way that quilters could raise money for a good cause. They would write to famous people asking for clothing scraps to sew into their quilt. When they finished their quilt it would be auctioned off.
Practicers of the art of quilting are able to use their skills for more than just the providing of warmth or weight to undergarments. Preserving memories and the raising of funds for charity is also a significant part of the tradition of quilting.
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