A variety of tools and equipment, both built at Riverside and purchased, are used throughout the process. Raw ingredients are sourced primarily from here in Zambia, with some needing to be imported. Twelve local youth with an excellent work ethic have been trained throughout this process. They have all been trained in all aspects of production, from soap making to cutting, stamping, and packaging, and are working in two shifts per day. The production rooms have been organized to maximize efficiency and storage in a small space.
OUR HANDCRAFTED PROCESS
01. MIXING THE INGREDIENTS
First, ingredients are carefully weighed, blended, and/or melted at the ingredients weighing station. The base oils and lye solution are then combined in the batch mixing pot assembly. Safety guidelines are carefully memorized and followed. Oils are blended with the lye until thickened, utilizing a chemical process known as saponification. Then, additives such as charcoal, oatmeal, honey, and sugar are added, as well as essential oils such
as peppermint or tea tree oil.
03. CUTTING THE SOAP BARS
The soap is then cut into bars of equal height, width, and length.
02. POURING THE INGREDIENTS
The soap is then poured through a valve into silicon molds where they harden until ready to cut.
04. PACKAGING THE SOAP BARS
After a few weeks of curing, the bars are taken back into the production room where they will beĀ packaged and labelled, ready for sale