Instructions for use
When it comes to cold process soap-making, one of the first things to bear in mind is the importance of cleanliness.
To guarantee the safety and quality of your homemade soaps, disinfecting your equipment is a crucial step.
Whether you’re a novice or an expert in the art of making your own cosmetics, this guide will explain in simple terms how to properly disinfect your equipment to obtain impeccable soaps.
Prerequisites
Before you start, make sure you have :
- A mild soap to wash your hands
- Dishwasher or soap and water for manual cleaning
- Alcohol at 60° minimum
- A pan for sterilizing certain utensils
1. Clean Hands: The First Barrier Against Contamination
Your hands are constantly in contact with various surfaces, picking up bacteria and microbes throughout the day.
Before starting any manipulation, wash your hands with a mild soap.
This simple but essential step considerably reduces the risk of contamination of your preparations.
When cleaning your utensils, I advise you to wear gloves so as not to damage your hands, especially when it comes to cleaning the container you’ve used for lye or your washing-up liquid.
2. Cleaning utensils and containers
Once your hands are clean, it’s time to take care of your utensils and containers.
Here are two easy ways to clean them:
- Option 1: Dishwasher If your equipment allows it, run it through the dishwasher at the appropriate temperature.
This method is fast and effective in removing most impurities. - Option 2: Hand-washing If you don’t have a dishwasher or your equipment is fragile, hand-wash it with warm water and soap.
Be sure to rinse well to remove any soap residue, then leave to air dry.
3. Disinfection with alcohol
Once your utensils and containers are thoroughly dry, the disinfection process can begin.
Soak a cloth, cotton pad or handkerchief in alcohol at 60° minimum and wipe it carefully over all surfaces that will come into contact with your preparations.
This step kills any remaining microbes and ensures a clean environment for your production.
4. Sterilization: Extra safety
For those who want to go one step further, especially for glass containers or stainless steel utensils, sterilization is an effective option.
Here’s how to proceed:
- Fill a saucepan with water and bring to the boil.
- Dip your utensils and containers into the water, and boil for about 10 minutes.
- Once the time has elapsed, carefully remove the objects from the water and allow them to air dry.
Cleaning your Worktop: An Essential Step
Before you set about preparing your homemade soaps or other cosmetics, it’s essential to clean your work surface thoroughly.
This is where you’ll lay out all your ingredients and make your mixtures, so it’s vital to start from a clean and organized base.
Here are a few tips to make sure your workspace is ready for your creations.
1. Clean and disinfect the work surface
- Start by thoroughly cleaning your worktop with a suitable cleaning product.
- Then use a cloth soaked in alcohol at 60° minimum to disinfect the surface.
This step removes all traces of dust, residues or microbes that could contaminate your preparations.
2. Prepare a Sheet of Paper to Protect
- A simple trick to avoid splashes and grease deposits when mixing is to prepare a sheet of paper or paper towel to place under your containers.
- This will allow you to place your spatula or any other utensil without dirtying your worktop.
- In addition to keeping your space clean, this will make clean-up after your fabrication session much easier.
Conclusion
Disinfecting your equipment before starting your cold soaping session is a simple but vital step in guaranteeing quality soaps.
Whether you choose dishwashing, hand-washing or sterilization, each method has its advantages and must be adapted to your needs and your equipment.
So remember: clean hands, well-disinfected utensils, and you’re ready to create your own homemade soaps with complete peace of mind!
