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Make It Easy:  Soap Makers-questions  |
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Leezard
True Blue Farmgirl
950 Posts
Elizabeth
Novi
MI
USA
950 Posts |
 Posted - Dec 16 2006 : 10:07:41 AM
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Soap making is something my mom has always wanted to try and I would like to try to make it a reality for her. What I'd like is to know what your experience has been making soap. What are some things you found out as you started making soap that you didn't consider or know about before? Do you have any recomendations for making soap for people with sensitive skin?
http://ruby--slippers.blogspot.com/ |
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KarenP
True Blue Farmgirl
666 Posts
Karen
Chippewa Falls
Wisconsin
USA
666 Posts |
Posted - Dec 16 2006 : 1:48:56 PM
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Liz,
I started by going to Millers website...
http://millersoap.com/
There is a wealth of knowledge out there.
I make hot process because I'm not a patient person, so I like to be able to use my soap within a day or two of making.
But I would recommend doing a cold process first.
Please don't let all the lye warnings scare you off, it just about did me.
After I got past the fear, it's alot of fun.
Respect and acknowledge the lye and have vinegar ready to rinse any lye or lye water off of you so I doesn't give you a caustic burn.
I usually keep a gallon of cheap vinegar in the kitchen while I work. I also use the vinegar when washing up the utensils after making the soap.
Just remember you've been warned... Soapmaking can be addictive!
Just my two cents...
Karen P
Also do a search on this site for soap, good info here too.
"Purest Spring Water in the World" |
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Leezard
True Blue Farmgirl
950 Posts
Elizabeth
Novi
MI
USA
950 Posts |
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Sweet Harvest Homestead
True Blue Farmgirl
279 Posts
Lindy
Stanfield
NC
USA
279 Posts |
Posted - Dec 18 2006 : 10:50:13 AM
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Oh one of my most favorite things in the world! Handmade soap!
I have been making it for about 5 years now. I alwys have some on hand and therefore alway have a quick gift if one is needed.
Let's see...... I was afraid of the lye at first so I purchased the melt and pour stuff. It is quick and easy but is is kind of like buying a mrs. smiths pumpkin pie, thawing it out and putting a dab of cool whip on top and saying it is "homemade". It just leaves you feeling like you want more of the real thing.
Just like Karen said, the lye is not so scary as long as you are respectful of it and have that vinegar handy.
I learned my best info from Stacy at southernbellesoaps.com. She taught me the crockpot hot process method. It makes a soap bar that is not quite as hard as cold process soap but you can use it that night in the tub.
I am really excited for you! Some of the soaps smell so good you could just eat them. I did lick a bar once. It did not taste like it smelled.
Also, sweetcakes.com and wholesalesuppliesplus.com are good sources for fragrance and oils.
Best of luck!
Lindy
www.sweetharvesthomestead.typepad.com |
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therusticcottage
True Blue Farmgirl
4439 Posts
Kay
Vancouver
WA
USA
4439 Posts |
Posted - Dec 18 2006 : 11:59:52 AM
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I make my soap by CPOP -- cold process in the oven. Making soap is one of the most enjoyable things I've ever done. Once your mom does it she will be hooked. I put it off for years because I was afraid of the lye. As long as you're very careful and cautious it will be fine. Miller's Soap is a great place to learn about making soap. The Natural Soapbook is another great resource. In my opinion, most handmade soap is great for sensitive skin. My grandson has eczema and my daughter makes calendula soap which works great. He even uses it to shampoo his hair.
My husband came home with a bar of Dial soap a couple of weeks ago. I asked him what he was doing sneaking store bought soap into the house. He said that someone gave it to him and he's not one to throw anythng away. About a week later he came to me complaining about the skin on his leg's itching really bad. I gave him some homemade salve to use and threw away the bar of Dial. He came to me the other night and said that since he's back to using my soap his skin quit itching! It really does make a difference.
I bet your mom would love to get a "soapmaking kit" as a gift. You could get her some of the equipment that she'd need -- like a stainless steel pot, rubber gloves, mask, safety goggles, stick blender, etc.
The Rustic Cottage Etsy Shop http://therusticcottage.etsy.com
Visit my blog! http://nwfarmerette.blogspot.com |
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lamarguerite farm
True Blue Farmgirl
649 Posts
missy
Battle Ground
Wa
USA
649 Posts |
Posted - Dec 18 2006 : 12:15:32 PM
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I have also found millersoaps.com to be a great resource for soap making as well as getting advice from other more experienced soap makers. I found that soap making is like a lot of other things. You gather up a lot of information and advice and then throw your own flare into it. I use a lye calculator through http://www.thesage.com/calcs/lyecalc2.php .This is wonderful and you know that you are pretty accurate by using this. I think a soap making kit is a great idea. A great big stainless steel pot and a stick blender are a must. The stick blender brings the soap to a trace really fast. It never takes me more than 10-15 min. It is addicting. you should give it a try!! My mom and I learned together and had a blast. Now we are both comfortable enough with it we go at it on our own!!
Blessings,
Missy
If you have a dream, even if you don't feel qualified to accomplish it, just try your hardest.-Maggie Jensen
http://18happyhens.blogspot.com
http://LamargueriteFarm.etsy.com |
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Leezard
True Blue Farmgirl
950 Posts
Elizabeth
Novi
MI
USA
950 Posts |
Posted - Dec 18 2006 : 5:58:32 PM
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Thank you all so much for the great information and advice, it really means a lot to me! The idea of a soap making kit is great :)
I think for her it is some of the oils used to scent the soap that give her a skin reaction...that's my guess anyway.
http://ruby--slippers.blogspot.com/ |
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therusticcottage
True Blue Farmgirl
4439 Posts
Kay
Vancouver
WA
USA
4439 Posts |
Posted - Dec 18 2006 : 10:21:56 PM
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Liz -- I would probably have to agreee with you on the fragrance oils. Fragrance is what most people react to. She could try some gentle essential oils for scenting. Lavender would be a good one.
Missy & I had a blast learning to make soap together. I tried to find some of the pictures of our first soaping experience but couldn't locate them on my computer. We looked pretty funny in our goggles and masks!
The Rustic Cottage Etsy Shop http://therusticcottage.etsy.com
Visit my blog! http://nwfarmerette.blogspot.com |
Edited by - therusticcottage on Dec 18 2006 10:30:57 PM |
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Tracey
True Blue Farmgirl
766 Posts
Tracey
State of Confusion
USA
766 Posts |
Posted - Jan 27 2007 : 09:37:53 AM
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quote:
My husband came home with a bar of Dial soap a couple of weeks ago.
Eee Gads! Your husband was caught cheating? That's what I called it when I could smell that little Irish hussy in my dh's shower...
I know this post was from awhile back, but thought I'd share. Here are the key things to remember:
Never measure by volume, always be weight. Each oil needs a different amount of lye to make a bar of soap; 10 oz of coconut oil may not be subbed for 10 oz of olive oil without first checking to see what the difference may be in lye. A great lye calculator is http://thesage.com
Always pour your lye into your cold water (tea, milk, liquid). Remember "Snow on Water"...doing it the other way around may cause a caustic volcano to errupt. While you don't need to be afraid of the lye in general, you do need to be aware of that little aspect.
I'd have to disagree on the fragrance vs essential oils. Cheap fragrance oils will cause more trouble than good quality ones; but essential oils can cause more severe reactions in people than the minor irritations that fragrances cause. That said...essential oils don't cause soap to accelerate trace like some fragrances do.
Shop with a reputable supplier, not the cheap craft stores, for higher quality ingredients. Yes, you'll pay for shipping and end up with larger quantities, but you'll also end up with a lower cost overall.
Red Devil no longer makes lye, it's hard to find in the grocery stores now. You can find lye at Lowes under the name Roebic (I think that's what it is.) They usually don't know what lye is...ask for caustic soda or sodium hydroxide. Make certain it's 100% lye. I had a customer who purchased what the salesmen at a hardware store said was lye, they said it would be fine for soapmaking. It wasn't...it was a horrific mess, ruined all her oils and turned everything into black, tarlike substance. There are also some suppliers who carry lye now as well. Do not, I reapeat, do not use drain cleaner.
Wear gloves; a mask is helpful for lye fumes; goggles are highly recommended in case of splashes; and long pants/sleeves would be a good idea.
A great little soapmaking forum is http://www.rationalsoapmaker.com/phpbb/index.php A bit slow in terms of traffic, but helpful people (one of whom sent me the link to this forum!)
Visit Quiet Storm, our adopted Mustang! http://wildaboutquietstorm.com
http://carpentercreek.blogspot.com
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BotanicalBath
True Blue Farmgirl
1014 Posts
Elizabeth
Ohio
1014 Posts |
Posted - May 05 2007 : 11:49:40 PM
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Thank you Tracey! This is the best advice I have seen on a non soap forum.
I have to agree about the Fragrance oil vs essential oil. You get what you pay for... there are many good suppliers out there that sell in small amounts. Brambleberry, Scentworks, and Sweetcakes are 3 that I will buy from. I usually buy most of my fragrances from IFT (10 lb min per fragrance and they now have some odd yearly $$$ min I think it is 3k). A lot of the fragrance that is sold at craft stores.. smells horrible and was not intended for use on skin. Even most Essential oils sold at craft stores have been cut with something or are really not 100% essential oils.
I have been making soap professionally (supporting my family... Yep, a real family business) for 10 yrs this Sept. I also was the moderator on the now defunct soapmakers forum. So many peeps in the soap world know of me. So I really do know what I am talking about.
But a large active soap forum is the Soap Dish http://www.soapdishforum.com/forum/
There is a lot of good info, recipes, advice and co-ops and a garage sale section
If you have any questions, Please ask. This is one subject that I know a lot about.
E-
BotanicalBath@peoplepc.com |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22937 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22937 Posts |
Posted - Jun 05 2007 : 8:39:41 PM
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22937 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22937 Posts |
Posted - Dec 10 2007 : 05:50:39 AM
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bump
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
The amazing one handed typist! One hand to keep Nora out of trouble! |
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Make It Easy: Soap Makers-questions |
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Soap Makers-questions
