| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| mollymae |
Posted - Jun 02 2005 : 4:04:34 PM
Hey Gals,
I really really want to learn how to make soap, and I read a lot about goat's milk soap, etc. Would regular cow's milk work just as fine? Anybody want to share with me a recipe and tell me how to go about making some? Thanks!!!
"I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived." --Henry David Thoreau
**When life throws scraps your way ~ Make a Quilt!** ~Me
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| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| sewgirlie |
Posted - May 26 2008 : 5:12:33 PM
I used the Roebic last week for my first batch too. It was great. I got a few from Lowe's so that I can make soap for a few months.
My quilting and life blog!!
http://downtoearthliving.blogspot.com/ |
| Brew Crew |
Posted - May 23 2008 : 06:02:27 AM
I came across this thread doing a search....For those still (yes, years later! :) ) looking for lye, I have found it in the plumbing section at Lowe's. The brand is Roebic, and it says right on the front, '100% sodium hydroixide'. I've used it on my last 10 batches and it's done beautifully! Also, it was about $3 cheaper/ lb then the site I had been ordering my lye from and NO SHIPPING! ;)
Funny Farm ramblings http://happydalehobby.blogspot.com/ |
| Alee |
Posted - Dec 10 2007 : 05:49:10 AM
bump
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
The amazing one handed typist! One hand to keep Nora out of trouble! |
| therusticcottage |
Posted - Nov 11 2007 : 4:34:03 PM
Barbara -- there are some places that you can order lye online but you will pay a surcharge. Are there any soap suppliers that are close enough you could go pick up lye? I'm lucky enough to live about 30 miles from Essential Wholesale and go pick up my lye there. Not sure how long the mom and pop stores will carry the lye as I know it's not being manufactured any more for sale in stores.
Visit my Etsy Shop! http://therusticcottage.etsy.com
http://therusticcottage.blogspot.com |
| Duchess |
Posted - Nov 11 2007 : 07:05:51 AM
Hey Karen,
A great 2 cents worth!! Thank you and I think I know just the place to do it. I know Ace does not even have it on the books but there are a few Mom and Pop stores spread around. I had checked all the big box stores and groceries.
Thanks again,
Barbara
http://theclarkhomestead.blogspot.com/ |
| KarenP |
Posted - Nov 11 2007 : 04:58:58 AM
Barbara,
I had my hardware store order me a case of lye. This was great I have a supply on hand and they said let them know and they will order more for me.
Their happy they don't have to store it. Because if it isn't on the shelf it doesn't move.
just my 2 cents
KarenP
"Purest Spring Water in the World" |
| Duchess |
Posted - Nov 10 2007 : 6:33:33 PM
Hi Alee,
Thank you, I will keep looking, Red devil was the one I remembered seeing for years in the stores. Not any more! Have not tried the lumber yard, thanks for the hints.
You are such a clever person,
Barbara
http://theclarkhomestead.blogspot.com/ |
| Alee |
Posted - Nov 10 2007 : 3:17:22 PM
Duchess-
A lot of stores have stopped carrying the 100% pure lye because it is used in making Methanphetamines (Meth). _If_ you can find it- your best bet is to go to your lumber store or hardware store and look in the plumbing aisle. It should be in the same general area as the Draino. It is usually in a white plastic (opaque) container. Red Devil is one brand name- but there are others. Just read the label to make sure it says "100% pure Lye" somewhere.
Alee
The amazing one handed typist! One hand for typing, one hand to hold Nora!
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| Duchess |
Posted - Nov 10 2007 : 1:29:27 PM
Well I have collected scents, molds I already have the mixer what I can't find any where is lye?? Any ideas please??
Thank You so much,
Barbara
http://theclarkhomestead.blogspot.com/ |
| AmyEllen |
Posted - Aug 04 2007 : 6:45:48 PM
Thanks for the info, I am going to be doing alot of careful reading to make sure I understand the different terms and stuff before I go it alone. Thanks a bunch.
Amy
http://lifenkansas.blogspot.com/
http://missemmasshop.blogspot.com/
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| BotanicalBath |
Posted - Aug 04 2007 : 12:51:16 PM
No, you can make a rock hard soap using 9% SF. But soft vs hard has a lot to do with your water % and your choice of oils. Join the soapdish and check out millers soap site. A lot of soap sites I have to say &%@&@#%!! Having a science background.... many of the sights scare me and just have bad info. The way a lot of soapers make soap scares me. And I am not talking the glove and glasses issue. I cant remember the last time I soaped with gloves on. What is going to be the difficult part is getting lye.
But good luck, and be prepared to spend a lot. It is addicting.
E-
BotanicalBath@peoplepc.com www.Botanical-Bath.com www.BotanicalBath.etsy.com http://botanicalbath.blogspot.com/
"I do my housework in the nude. It gives me an incentive to clean the mirrors as quickly as possible." |
| BotanicalBath |
Posted - Aug 04 2007 : 12:44:26 PM
No, you can make a rock hard soap using 9% SF. But soft vs hard has a lot to do with your water and your choice of oils. Join the soapdish and check out millers soap site. A lot of soap sites I have to say &%@&@#%!!
E-
BotanicalBath@peoplepc.com www.Botanical-Bath.com www.BotanicalBath.etsy.com http://botanicalbath.blogspot.com/
"I do my housework in the nude. It gives me an incentive to clean the mirrors as quickly as possible." |
| AmyEllen |
Posted - Aug 04 2007 : 11:01:30 AM
Thank you both for answering the question!! I have looked at a number of recipes, and then kinda going from the oils she used as I really like this soap and so does my skin, incidently I purchase soap from the person who has shown me how to make it and will continue to do so for now. But using those ideas for fats and oils and then using a lye calculator got a recipe from that. My mother is wanting to learn to make soap and yes lye can be dangerous, but after understanding what needs to be done to keep safe I feel the both of us are ready to try making it together. And I have been reading reading readin as you suggested. I have bookmark quite a few sites read through them and will eventually print them out. I also do understand about mold preperation, I BAKE CAKES,LOL Big Wedding Cakes, so one warning and watching it was enough for me to remember. Plus I may ask my friend to let me help again. I would not sell them for now I guess as I could not even begin to think of taking any income away from her, as she is going through a messy divorce, and also the criminal trial due to her husbands abuse of her and her kids. Soooo oh hey I remembered the question I was going to ask, on the lye calculator it offers 0%, 5%, and 9%, option for superfat percentage. Does the higher precentage make for a softer soap. I just need to read some more probably. But if someone doesn't mind could they let me know.
Thanks Amy
http://lifenkansas.blogspot.com/ |
| Bonne |
Posted - Aug 04 2007 : 08:34:45 AM
Make sure you plug any recipe you find(online or otherwise) into a lye calculator.
I use this one. http://www.soapcalc.com/calc/SoapCalc.aspbut there are others.
If you haven't already, joining a soap forum is a good idea. I joined at least 3 when I first became interested in soaping and read and read and read some more b/4 taking the actual plunge.
It's a lot like chemistry class and you must measure accurately by weight.Different oils have different properties and you want to learn about what you want in a soap (big bubbles or creamy lather etc etc etc )and how combining various oils will help give you the desired results. Then it's a process of calculated experimentation. You may want to try something very simple for your first batch without fragrance or color. Some fragrances can seize your batch before you are ready to pour in your mold. Also, become familiar with mold preparation so you aren't franticly having to dig out your stuck soap. Best of luck~it's a very addicting process!
http://www.bonne1313.homestead.com/spiritspace.html |
| BotanicalBath |
Posted - Aug 04 2007 : 07:39:45 AM
No, do not calculate your EO/FO as part of your total weight. Think of it as just icing on the cake.
E-
BotanicalBath@peoplepc.com www.Botanical-Bath.com www.BotanicalBath.etsy.com http://botanicalbath.blogspot.com/
"I do my housework in the nude. It gives me an incentive to clean the mirrors as quickly as possible." |
| AmyEllen |
Posted - Aug 03 2007 : 5:31:11 PM
Hello I have a question for you. I recently helped someone make some soap, and enjoyed it and thought I might start. Her recipe is a secret as she sells this for income so I understand that. I went to a site and it gave me specific weights and amounts to use for the fats I would like to use as well as lye and water. My question is when using essential oils should those oils be taken into account with the measuring of the castor oil?? What I mean is if it calls for say 4 ounces of castor oil and then I want to put 1 ounce of essential oil in should I use only 3 ounces of castor oil. Not saying I plan on using 1 ounce of essential oils, but you get the idea. And also for other ingredients that are solids like say bits of rosemary or peppermint does this count as any weight or is this something that can just be added in as it does not combine but is just there in the soap??
Thanks for your time!!
Be Blessed
Amy
http://lifenkansas.blogspot.com/ |
| Alee |
Posted - Jun 08 2007 : 3:42:21 PM
Oh That sounds great! You can make all that stuff from home too (maybe not the loofa!). I love to make lotion with beeswax. Usually you can get it pretty cheap if you have a local beekeeper.
Hugs
Alee |
| Duchess |
Posted - Jun 08 2007 : 3:31:46 PM
Hi again Alee,
It seems as it has done well for you, I see the first post when you were getting started and now you are a pro. We have just moved and that was my introduction to this site, looking for ways to repair our old farm house. Now that I am over here full time I am trying to get organized and wanted to get head start on Christmas. I thought a basket with soaps, bath salts, loofa and maybe some lotion might be a good idea. Looks like it will be possible!! hooray.
I need to get my computer to accept my printer, for some reason it is balking, then I can go to the links and print all the good info out.
Have a wonderful weekend and Thank you for all your valuable information.
Barbara |
| Alee |
Posted - Jun 08 2007 : 3:05:22 PM
Hi Duchess!
My soap does leave a little scum (like I mentioned before) but not too much. Soap making is such fun! It really does get addictive!
Alee |
| Duchess |
Posted - Jun 08 2007 : 12:12:23 PM
Hi Alee,
Thank you so much for all you imput. I have not made any soap yet, just gathering information. The soap was purchased at a flea market near Seattle when I was there on vacation. So I have not been able to check with the maker of the soap to see what they did. My concern was that when I gather up the courage to tackle making soap I did not want to make too many mistakes. My goal is to impress the people I give the soap to, not gross them out.
Again, thanks to all for all the good information, links and feedback. The day I found this site was a rainbow day!! You guys are my pot of gold!!
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| Alee |
Posted - Jun 08 2007 : 09:58:25 AM
You can make your own essential oils, but it can be a pretty involved process. You also can just incorporate the herbs directly into most soaps, but then you have to deal with the feeling of those herbs as you use up the soap.
Just wondering- did you superfat your soap or not? What percentage of "left over" oil were you trying for in your soap? Perhaps you have too much oil?
Here is a link on how to make your own essential oils:
http://treetotem.com/hpessentialoils.htm
I hope that helps!
Alee
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| Duchess |
Posted - Jun 07 2007 : 8:27:54 PM
This left quite a bit so using it I did not feel clean, if you know what I mean. I have bought a variety of soaps and many were fine, but this one really stuck out in my mind. I am thinking of trying to make some soaps for gifts and my own use. I am really enjoying all the posts and hints, thank you so much. I am growing some herbs and I have roses, wonder if I can make my own scents?? |
| Alee |
Posted - Jun 07 2007 : 5:56:05 PM
My soaps sometimes leave a little floating scum on the water. I have always assumed it's because of the high amount of glycerin in the soap. Since it cleans right up, I have never worried about it or worried about how to prevent it. It would be interesting to know if there is a way to not have it do this though.
Alee |
| Duchess |
Posted - Jun 07 2007 : 08:22:18 AM
I have a question about soaps. I purchased some at a market, it smelled wonderful but left a scum on the bath water. I would like to make soap but am wondering how to avoid the scum issue.
Thank you so much |
| Alee |
Posted - Jun 05 2007 : 8:42:51 PM
bump |
