How a bar of soap is made at Rainier Soapworks

 

We obtain the finest in premium oils from around the world to make our products. First, we formulate our own unique recipes that take into consideration the hardness of the bar, the lather, and the moisturizing capabilities. Extensive research has been done and continues to be done on the herbs and essential oils needed to ease common skin conditions. We have never and will never skimp on the expensive luxury oils that help skin the most!

Next, the oils are weighed out carefully to the .00th of an ounce to ensure quality.

After all of the oils have been weighed carefully, we mix the lye necessary to combine with the oils to create real soap. *Please note that lye is a catalyst to make oils become soap and NO lye is present in the finished product! We make only REAL soap here - not the Melt & Pour soap available at your local Craft Store

When the oils and lye have melted and cooled to somewhere between 100 and 110 degrees Fahrenheit, they are combined using great care.

Next, lots of stirring takes place. This is where it pays to have a family business - plenty of people to take a turn stirring! Some soaps are ready within 20-30 minutes, some take literally hours. Once the lye has been neutralized and the soap is made, it begins to really thicken and change color, as you can see in these pictures.

We then pour it into lined wooden molds to keep it warm and clean.

 

The soap cures in the molds for 24-36 hours and then it is handcut (hence sometimes the bars that are slightly uneven!). All of the cut bars are placed on special drying racks and allowed to rest for 4-6 weeks. This allows excess water to evaporate, making a hard bar of soap!

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When the soap is cured, we weigh, wrap and label each bar by hand and then the soap is ready for purchase!