Jennifer Hlavaty became interested in soap making when her son was born. She studied the harmful chemicals in everyday products and decided she wanted them out of the house.
In order to eliminate most of them from the household, she started making her own preservative- free products.
Though soap making may seem like an old-fashioned pastime, Hlavaty took a modern-day interest in the hobby. She learned the proper techniques through trial and error.
"I taught myself to make soap, balms, salves and other natural products through a few good books, Internet tutorials and lots of practice," Hlavaty said.
The fragrances Hlavaty uses for soap, lip balm and body butter derive from essential oils. Some of these fragrances include rosemary mint, lavender, spicy blend, orange tea tree and cedar blend.
Hlavaty's husband, Elon lecturer of English George Hlavaty, said he supports her as she tries different mixtures.
"I really enjoy these products, especially the lotions and lip balms," he said. "The balms work better than any store-bought product I have ever tried."
Hlavaty uses many natural ingredients for lip balm and body butter. Her favorite ingredients include olive oil, cocoa butter, coffee butter, essential oils, beeswax, sweet almond oil, jojoba oil and vitamins.
"I aim for edible oils on the lips and am working toward the same for body butters being that they're absorbed through our largest organ — our skin," Hlavaty said. "Sadly, no matter how delicious it smells, soap just does not taste good."
Hlavaty uses a cold process method to make soap. She heats the oil for the least amount of time required to melt solids. After the oil is melted at a lukewarm temperature, a sodium hydroxide solution is mixed with the oil, which then turns into a creamy state.
Any essential oils, botanicals or spices are added to the mixture and the soap is put into molds. The soap sits for at least eight weeks until it becomes mild.
"But I have the pleasure of smelling it throughout the house as soon as it hits the molds," Jennifer Hlavaty said.
Hlavaty said she has begun to discover what works and what doesn't work for certain products. She once found that if she made a lye solution for milk soap, and didn't use it immediately, they would become "lye-sicles."
Hlavaty said most people would not guess that soap making is an addictive hobby.
"You start with making soap, then you make lip balm, body balm, medicinal salves — and growing your own plants to make these — whipped butters, deodorant, perfume oil and laundry detergent. Everything. And there's no looking back," Hlavaty said.
Hlavaty is currently selling her products to Elon students via E-Net. She said she has found it satisfying to sell to the local community.
"Meeting with people gives them a chance to see, smell and feel a product before they decide to buy and I enjoy seeing people respond to my products," Hlavaty said. "It's also better for the environment, of course."
Hlavaty's products range from $5 to $10.