| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| sherrye |
Posted - Oct 07 2013 : 06:50:17 AM
 since my heart attacks I have had to slow down some. so I have been making soap. I found a great recipe for liquid castile soap. I have used and given away about 2 gallons worth now. I am going to make more in the next few days. it is a hot process soap. has any one else been making soap? I have done mostly cold process. I like the hot process since you can use it sooner. we have been using the liquid for hand washing dishes and cleaning sweeties udder for milking. seems to work well. so any soapers out there soaping?  
the learn as we go silk purse farm
farm girl #1014
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| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| windypines |
Posted - Jan 10 2026 : 03:26:42 AM
Thanks Heather, I never tried the wet method. I make it the dry method. Best advice like Heather said, grind it if you can. Melts much faster. I melt, strain and freeze my tallow. I don't notice a beef smell in mine, but never really paid attention. The very best fat to use is from around the organs. Try to get that if you can. The guy that field butchers for us, saves it for me in a 5 gallon bucket. 2 steers give me about a bucket full.
Farming in WI
Michele
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| MaryJanesNiece |
Posted - Jan 09 2026 : 4:44:08 PM
Heather, that is really neat! Thank you for the step by step process. I will have to give it a try!
Krista
Farmgirl Sister #528
Farmgirl Of The Year 2025 |
| nubidane |
Posted - Jan 09 2026 : 08:53:31 AM
Thanks Heather! I need to try this, and I will likely just use it for cooking.
I have heard horror stories where it smells terrible, so I want to be able to avoid that if possible. |
| nndairy |
Posted - Jan 09 2026 : 08:47:25 AM
Lisa - there are a lot of ways to do it. Oven, crockpot, instapot, etc. You can also use the "wet" method or "dry" method as I've heard them called, depending on what you want to use it for. If you're going to use it on your face I'd try the wet method. It's supposed to help remove more of the beef smell. If you were going to use it for cooking and frying the beef smell wouldn't matter. I watched some youtube videos so if you want exact measurements just give it a little search. I use the wet method and I don't use exact measurements. First step is to get your fat into small pieces. I get my fat ran through the grinder at the butcher. Hopefully yours is already cut up. I learned my lesson the first time LOL! I don't have an instapot so I can't tell you about that. I use the crockpot. I fill it up about 2/3 of the way with fat, sprinkle salt on top of it (maybe about a teaspoon) and then add 2 or 3 cups of water. Cook it on low for a few hours. I stir mine occasionally. You'll know when everything is melted by looking at it. I don't know if the salt is necessary, someone said it helps to pull things out so I tried it and keep doing it. After it's cooked pour it through a strainer or some cheesecloth to get all the meat bits out. Put the liquid fat into a bowl that is a little flexible. I use my metal mixing bowls, the glass ones don't work very well. Refrigerate it until set. (Mine is usually in the fridge overnight because of my schedule.) Remove from the bowl but use caution - the water will all be on the bottom and not solid :) I press on one side and it usually pops up and out the other side of the bowl. Discard the water. You'll notice some brownish "junk" on the bottom of the tallow. Scrape it off and discard it. Then cut it up a bit and redo the entire process again. If you really want it white and pure you can do it a 3rd time. I usually only do it twice for my personal use.
~Heather
I would rather be on my farm than be emperor of the world. George Washington
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| nubidane |
Posted - Jan 09 2026 : 08:10:51 AM
I love the tallow for my face. I get a whipped tallow from a local farmer, and she has the yummiest scents: vanilla, orange vanilla, cinnamon spice etc.
I have some unrendered tallow in the freezer that I got from some local farmers, but am not sure how to render it.
Any advice?
Thanks! |
| windypines |
Posted - Jan 09 2026 : 03:05:21 AM
Thanks Dawn. Great idea Heather. I make a plantain salve for bug bites and burns that works great. Calendula would be a good one too, or rose petals.
Farming in WI
Michele
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| nndairy |
Posted - Jan 08 2026 : 11:54:40 AM
If you really like the tallow balm, you can also infuse it with dried herbs. I made some plantain tallow by drying the plantain then I add it to my tallow in a mason jar. Put in in the crock pot and add enough water to keep the tallow liquid. (for my crock pot I have to use pint jars not quarts) Put it on the keep warm setting for 3 days - making sure to check the water level and add water as needed. The plantain is great skin. This year I'm going to try adding some lavender buds when they're ready.
~Heather
I would rather be on my farm than be emperor of the world. George Washington
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| ddmashayekhi |
Posted - Jan 08 2026 : 06:28:33 AM
Your soap sounds great Michele! Amazing how many big bags you made. I am sure the balm will be really nice to use during the winter months.
Dawn in IL
It seems like everything sleeps in winter, but its really a time of renewal and reflection. Elizabeth Camden |
| windypines |
Posted - Jan 08 2026 : 04:48:03 AM
Made two batches of tallow soap yesterday. Hopefully they will be ready to cut and put on my rack to dry today. I use tallow, coconut oil, and olive oil. I like to use some sort of pine essential oil. Since it is cold process soap, I do add a full 4 oz's of eo. I get 16 big bars of soap out of one batch. The day before I made some tallow balm, and I really like it. Tallow and jojoba oil was the only ingredients. While it does seem greasy at first, it soaks into your skin and keeps my hands, arms, legs and face soft and supple.
Farming in WI
Michele
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| windypines |
Posted - Oct 13 2025 : 03:45:04 AM
I still make our own soap here. I took a class to make shampoo bars, and will be changing my soap making equipment up. Going to use a small stainless steel stock pot for heating oils, and mixing. I will use a plastic tub to mix lye and water in, and a stainless wisk to mix everything. I do use an immersion blender if it is taking a while to trace.
Farming in WI
Michele
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| NancyOH1 |
Posted - Oct 12 2025 : 5:10:45 PM
Hi everyone,
I am back on and catching up with the many postings. I ran across the one of making soap and I am about ready to try both ways of making it. Several molds have been bought and some other equipment. I have watched videos on Brambleberry and want to watch some on videos too! Want to catch up with everyone here to see everyone's input as well.
Nancy
Farmgirl # 2508
Nancy J Noble
Farmgirl No. 2508 |
| JeanP |
Posted - Jul 21 2020 : 11:46:40 AM
Well, in the midst of all the coronamadness, this seems like a good time to start making soap. Got all my supplies together and will set up on the front porch while it's nice and warm. Masks and goggles required anyway to protect from lye splashes AND covid splashes. My good friend and neighbor can join me for a fun day of playing as we will be all "suited" up and can each have our own table. Anyone else making soap? Do y'all know about Cowboy Toilet Paper ???? :} |
| StitchinWitch |
Posted - Aug 02 2019 : 3:13:59 PM
Summer is my soap making season so I will be doing several batches soon. I've had a family member ask for more scrubby soap so that will be on the top of the list.
Judith
7932
Happiness is Homemade |
| MaryJanesNiece |
Posted - Jun 17 2019 : 1:46:50 PM
Soap making is on my list of things to try. I would like to learn and make some before the holidays at the end of the year so I can give them as gifts!
Krista |
| windypines |
Posted - Jun 17 2019 : 04:10:47 AM
we have been hooked on homemade soap for many years now. So yes i am making soap. I will do 3 big batches and then will set for the year.
Farming in WI
Michele |
| Dapple Grey Lady |
Posted - Jun 13 2019 : 2:52:58 PM
How is everybody's soapmaking going? I've been off the site for a while and I am back!
~ Betty ~
Farmgirl Sister # 5589 |
| Dapple Grey Lady |
Posted - Dec 16 2015 : 7:29:31 PM
My husband made me some long wooden molds. I line with freezer paper and love them. Yes, to the vinegar being close by. I also set my bucket in the sink while I am working in case of overflow. Another thing is to check your 2nd hand stores for stick blenders!
~ Betty ~
Farmgirl Sister # 5589 |
| NY Pumpkin girl |
Posted - Dec 11 2015 : 3:12:10 PM
I have been making some soap with fresh goats milk that turned out wonderful. There is nothing to be afraid of with using the lye as long as you are careful about not splattering it when mixing, also use safety glasses and long sleeve shirt to protect your skin. One site I was looking at said to have vinegar close by because if you do get it on you it will neutralize the lye from burning you. So I always have it near by just in case. My daughter and I also used many different additives that we found at the health food store like lavender, rose petals, and essential oils. There is numerous different things you can do. I also made my own wooden soap box forms. Have fun making your soap. Farm girl sister Christine
NY Pumpkin girl Farmgirl sister 6634. |
| Celticheart |
Posted - Dec 11 2015 : 09:22:49 AM
Brambleberry and Teach soap do have excellent tutorials.
"Let us never forget that the cultivation of the earth is the most important labor of man. When tillage begins, other art follows. The farmers, therefore, are the founders of civilization."
Daniel Webster
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| Dapple Grey Lady |
Posted - Dec 09 2015 : 10:04:58 AM
You Tube has lots of videos. Just make sure when you try making soap that you only use weights not measurements. Teach Soap has great tutorials as does soapqueen, brambleberry and more. I browse making soap sites a lot.
~ Betty ~
Farmgirl Sister # 5589 |
| Celticheart |
Posted - Dec 02 2015 : 09:55:57 AM
I took a soapmaking class about five years ago. It was worth it to overcome the fear of working with lye. There are some great tutorials on YouTube if you can't find a class which can be difficult to do for those of us who live 'in the sticks.' I love to make soap.
"Let us never forget that the cultivation of the earth is the most important labor of man. When tillage begins, other art follows. The farmers, therefore, are the founders of civilization."
Daniel Webster
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| Dapple Grey Lady |
Posted - Nov 30 2015 : 3:05:07 PM
There is a beginner recipe on dairy goat info in which most all the ingredients can be purchased at the grocery store. I wear long sleeves, goggles and never barefoot when making soaps. I just had my first show at the trade days here. Did pretty good and had fun!
~ Betty ~
Farmgirl Sister # 5589 |
| Bonnie Ellis |
Posted - Sep 03 2015 : 8:04:16 PM
There are a ton of soap making recipes. Just be extra careful when you pour in the lye (actaually made in the old days by water washing through wood ashes) it can burn your skin and eyes. Just be careful. You can add herbs to your soap, or coloring and scents. I just followed an old recipe after reading a lot about soap making. I rendered my own lard by combining water and fat (bacon, pork, beef left over from cooking), you have to save it to get enough. After the cooking the debris left over can be removed and you have clear lard with which to make your soap. Lard is reality elf cheap to buy if you don't want to go through all that trouble.
grandmother and orphan farmgirl |
| opengatefarm |
Posted - Sep 03 2015 : 07:44:02 AM
I would like to venture into soap making and have begun checking online for ways to ease into the process. I think my husband is going to really think I am nuts when I start this project, lol!
Sonja
Because everyone should have a little dirt under their nails... |
| ceridwen |
Posted - Jul 23 2014 : 08:34:11 AM
Thanks Betty! I think I'll keep reading for now. At least until I feel comfortable. We do not have access to soap making classes around here. Perhaps that's where a webclass would help.
Carole
Farmgirl Sister 3610
http://www.carolesquiltingetc.com
http://www.fibrejunction.com |
