| Author | Content |
gingerlily
Paxton, FL
(Zone 8a)
January 13, 2006
06:18 PM Post #1974345
| Okay, I'll start. I've been making old timey lye soap for around 15-20 years. It ain't pretty, but it shore is good. I do use fragrances, though. I'm sure there are other soapmakers, fess up! |
throneofyord
College Station, TX
(Zone 8b)
January 13, 2006
07:24 PM Post #1974483
| I make my own soap for my family and my plants. |
plant_fiend
San Jose, CA
(Zone 9b)
January 14, 2006
02:44 AM Post #1975202
| I will be watching this area closely. I really enjoy rich, handmade soaps and I'm ready to give it a try. Has anyone made olive oil soaps or used shea butter? Do you use lye when making these soaps, too? Fun, fun, fun!!
~Angela |
gingerlily
Paxton, FL
(Zone 8a)
January 14, 2006
11:00 AM Post #1975789
| Yes, you use lye. I don't know if you can make soap without lye, unless you can somehow do it with some of the natural plants that have soap properties in them. I've only made the old fashion kind using lard or tallow. |
cjolene
Emporia, KS
(Zone 5b)
January 16, 2006
12:26 AM Post #1980115
| I don't know, Angela- could you try it with the melt and pour glycerine cubes? I haven't ventured beyond those. I just needed something that wouldn't flare up an ezcema attack.
Cheryl |
gingerlily
Paxton, FL
(Zone 8a)
January 16, 2006
09:40 AM Post #1980482
| Old fashioned lye soap is very good for eczema, I'm told. I have had people tell me that it helped tremendously. I'm sure that would vary from case to case as skin is different from person to person. |
IsThisHeaven
Fenton, MO
(Zone 5b)
January 22, 2006
10:00 PM Post #1994396
| Hi, I just saw this forum.
I've been making soaps, lotions, bath bombs and candles for about 10 years.
I just came upon lye being discontinued though, from the shelves here. Seems as though the meth makers are buying it and Red Devil has pulled it off the market. At least that is what I'm hearing who has made the change. I asked my grocery store manager where it was and he told me the sheriff came in and viewed tapes of people buying 3 and 4 at a time. I said, "Uhhhhh, I would have been one of them, but I'm a soapmaker." They are selling it on Ebay for lots more than what it cost in the store, I don't know where they are getting it, unless their "town" hasn't pulled it off the market yet. I managed to run about the stores and gather up about 24 bottles and that will last me for awhile. I make pretty much soap for me, my family and friends.
I make soap with oils of Olive, Coconut, Almond, Jojoba, Palm and Castor. I've been told it works very well for excema, from a girl that buys it from me.
|
cjolene
Emporia, KS
(Zone 5b)
January 22, 2006
11:15 PM Post #1994625
| Well, I'm open for a good eczema lye soap recipe, then, if someone's willing to share theirs |
gingerlily
Paxton, FL
(Zone 8a)
January 26, 2006
04:36 PM Post #2002229
| cjolene, I use beef fat and make a large amount in an old black washpot. Don't know if you want my recipe for that reason. |
cjolene
Emporia, KS
(Zone 5b)
January 26, 2006
06:35 PM Post #2002514
| that's okay- I'll just stick with my glycerine cubes. Why change something that works? Thanks, though. I appreciate it. ; ) |
y0slick1
Bethany, IL
(Zone 5b)
January 29, 2006
07:42 AM Post #2007976
| NO LYE! I don't make lye soap... but the Arthur Illinois Amish do! So I simply take advantage of that source available to me and buy it from them. I love the way it makes my white shirt collars white again ! |
ardesia
Saint Helena Island, SC
(Zone 9a)
February 06, 2006
11:40 AM Post #2026384
| cjolene, do you have a recipe for making this soap with glycerine cubes? Our neighborhood has adopted a troop in Iraq and they need travel sized, unscented soaps. I thought, since the inscented is hard to find I might make some.
Where would I buy these cubes?
Any ideas would be appreciated. Thanks |
cjolene
Emporia, KS
(Zone 5b)
February 06, 2006
01:13 PM Post #2026566
| Hobby Lobby or Michael's have them. Any craft store in your area should. They would be in the soap making section and they're just called glycerine cubes. No recipe- just heat them, add whatever color/fragrance if you want, pour them into molds, and let cool. The cubes are probably travel sized just the way they are, though. You could probably get away with sending them as is. ; ) |
ardesia
Saint Helena Island, SC
(Zone 9a)
February 06, 2006
06:01 PM Post #2027027
| Hmmmmm, good idea. Thanks |
kathy_ann
Judsonia, AR
(Zone 7b)
February 17, 2006
07:35 PM Post #2052311
| I'm a soap maker,
First off, You can still buy the red devil lye in some of the smaller grocery stores here, it's locked up and 3 's the limit, which is ok by me.
I have made hot process and cold process soaps for about 7 years now. I use to sell it, now I've slacked off and only make it for the family. (for those not familiar to soap making) cold process and hot process are just a couple of ways t o make the soaps. Hot process cooks all the chemicals out of the lye so you can use the soap with in 24 to 48 hours, cold process gives you a hard bar of soap, it colors nicely, but it has to sit up for anywhere from 4 to 8 weeks, sometimes longer.
I've always make my own recipes, looking up the lye calculator on line to see how much liquid and lye I need in my recipe. and I've always stuck to the golden rules for how much of each oil is allowed in your recipe so it won't turn out too soft, too hard, too harsh etc... I got that info on line too.
I've never used lard, but have used palm kernal oils, until recently reading that it's not very good for your skin. I'm thinking of using another oil to make the bar hard. I use the good oils, such as olive oils, shea butter, cocoa butter, sunflower oil, grape seed oil, avocado oil, jojoba oil, coconut oil, etc... And have alwys used goatmilk as the liquid. I've made bath bombs, bath salts, bath melts, still make lotions, body creams, I love this peppermint foot cream I make, and I make a healing skin cream, but I am getting out of making the lotions as well, just don't have the time, and when all the soaps are gone, I'm considering not making any more soaps too LOL, guess i'll buy them from the health food store, cause I'm not going back to the stuff on the shelves. |
cjolene
Emporia, KS
(Zone 5b)
February 17, 2006
10:21 PM Post #2052595
| kathy, where do you get your recipes? |
kathy_ann
Judsonia, AR
(Zone 7b)
February 17, 2006
10:47 PM Post #2052625
| My head. I make my own soap making recipes.
You can do a search on google for soap making recipes.
I got alot of tried and true recipes from joining a yahoo soap making group.
|
PGV
Wilkesboro, NC
March 03, 2006
01:19 PM Post #2083998
| PLEASE HELP: I daughter has acne. My mother gave her some lye soap to try. I was afraid that it might be too harsh for her skin. The first 3 days she used it, her skin looked beautiful but said that her face was beginning to "burn" a little. I told her that she might want to skip a night or two from using the lye soap. Well, she used it a 4th time and this morning her face was all broken out; looks as though that the "pimples" are coming to the top. Could this be what it is? HELP!!!!Thanks!! |
kathy_ann
Judsonia, AR
(Zone 7b)
March 03, 2006
01:44 PM Post #2084059
| I really don't have alot of experience with plain lye soap, I do know that plain lye soap made with lard, lye and water, is VERY bad for your skin, It will block the pours, therefore causing pimples, it sort of blocks up what ever is in the pour and keeps it there , therefore the dirt /whatever can't get out and the body's defenses kick in and causes the little pimples around the dirt.
NEVER USE Plain Lard/lye /water soap on your face. It's very harsh.
I'm not sure whta you can do about your problem other than scrubbing your skin with say an exfolient type of scrub, salt scrub, sugar scrub, opening up the pours again. So all can get out. Don't let her use the lye soap on her face any more. Granted all soap is made with lye, but it's the lard that's bad for your skin stopping up your pours.
Hope this helps
kathy |
kathy_ann
Judsonia, AR
(Zone 7b)
March 03, 2006
01:49 PM Post #2084065
| Though i'm not really sure what was in the soap you used. But if it had lard /crisco type oils in it, then that's why her face did what it did.
|
renwings
Sultan, WA
(Zone 8a)
March 03, 2006
11:50 PM Post #2085257
| Nope, soap on the face isn't a good idea. Unless you're skin doesn't care.
I do like making lye soap. It's so pretty and fresh. Glycerin soap is like washing with the inside of an aloe. I'm sure you come out clean in the end either way.
I didn't know they'd stopped selling lye! For crying out loud! Pretty soon we'll have to buy everything behind the counter!
|
glamoury
Redford, MI
March 07, 2006
07:51 PM Post #2094247
| Another soaper. Glad to see there's a community of us. I'm on hiatus right now but had a thriving business for 4 years selling veggie soaps, shea butter and herbal teas.
I want to echo that soap cannot be made without lye (sodium hydroxide). I go crazy when I see places selling no-lye soaps!
I think washing your face with soap is purely an individual preference. I have extremely sensitive combo skin and I use nothing *but* CP soap on my face. My oils are high in olive oil, with some palm, coconut, hempseed, and soy. I also use skin-friendly essential oils and exfoliants ranging from calendula to pumice depending on the situation or preference.
Just be sure that whatever "lye soap" (that term makes me cringe, it's so old fashioned!!) you use, be sure it's a skin-safe soap. I know many people still make lye-heavy soaps that are PURELY for non-skin washing, like laundry. Be sure your soap contains superfat (some of the oil never makes it to soap and thus leaves your skin not feeling like it just had a chemical peel.) and is made with only cosmetic grade ingredients. I heard of a woman making soap with Glade room fragrance oils - soooo not safe!!!
|
IsThisHeaven
Fenton, MO
(Zone 5b)
March 08, 2006
07:09 PM Post #2096873
| Oh my gosh, GLADE scents?
I started making my own soap some years ago just for fun. Then my friends and family tried it and loved it, so thats all they use now. The only other "commercial" soap thats in my house is some gifts I'll get with some "gel" in it. I will use it, so I don't waste it, but I still like mine better. I never thought I could revert back to a hard bar of soap over the soft soap, now I can't imagine going back to the soft soap for good.
My skin is much softer with the home made soaps becaues I over fat them, making them very mild. Its just more fun than anything, making soap and seeing how it turns out with different colored swirls and scents. |
gaddict
North Brunswick, NJ
March 12, 2006
06:59 PM Post #2108132
| I haven't tried it yet but I did buy some supplies from Pinetree Garden Seeds for soapmaking..They have a variety of bases and molds & stuff, so if you need a source, they even have kits, you can try them...I don't think they sell lye though..Hope it helps someone who wants to start.
|
gingerlily
Paxton, FL
(Zone 8a)
March 17, 2006
08:30 AM Post #2118373
| PGV, I beg to differ about using lye soap on the face. My daughter and I have used it for years on the face and it has done a great job for us. Granted, my soap is a mild soap, safe enough to use on a baby's behind. In fact I had one customer that claimed it was the only thing that would clear up the diaper rash on their baby. I remember having one person tell me years ago that it would either burn or break out their face, which I had not heard before or since til now. We rub the soap on bad spots and leave it on overnight, the next morning when you wash your face, your skin will be so soft. But it is very important that the soap not be too harsh, cause yes it could burn. I do use beef fat instead of lard, but even when I did use lard, it didn't seem to be a problem for us. To each his own. |
Brugie
Chariton, IA
(Zone 5b)
March 27, 2006
08:00 PM Post #2143493
| My daughter is a member here and makes Lye soap. I love it and it lasts so long. It sure is a lot prettier than when my grandmother used to make it out of necessity. I'm sure Lori would be happy to chat with anyone needing help with soap making. You can find her here: http://davesgarden.com/members/Soyforthesoul/ Feel free to send her Dmail, but I'm sure she won't reply until DG sends her an email saying she has mail. She is doing some remodeling in her spare time. |
kathy_ann
Judsonia, AR
(Zone 7b)
March 28, 2006
08:16 AM Post #2144719
| Well, it's really the Lard/lye/water type soap that's harsh on your skin, I use my regular goatmilk soaps that I make on my face all the time.
|
tucker303
Denver, CO
April 24, 2006
04:05 PM Post #2217282
| Alright, I am probably the only male here but I am on a quest to simplify my life. Now making my own soap does not sound like it is simplifying it but hopefully someone understands. I want to try to make some this summer. Want to go all natural without artificial addictives.
Anyone have a suggestion for a book?
And in looking at the lye link, I see the prices seem to vary so much, anyone know why?
Any how much lye should you use? I saw something like 5 lbs makes 50 pounds of soap (or something like that). I am just trying to figure out how much lye to buy.
I sound kinda scared don't I? |
Brugie
Chariton, IA
(Zone 5b)
April 24, 2006
04:32 PM Post #2217360
| tucker, my daughter lives in Lakewood. I'm sure she would help if you need advice during the soapmaking process. I love her soap, but I can't tell you what is in it. I do know that having one of the electric stick mixers helps a lot. |
renwings
Sultan, WA
(Zone 8a)
April 24, 2006
10:01 PM Post #2218234
| My favorite book is "The Complete Soapmaker" By Norma Coney. Very concise, clear, with great pictures. Tons of recipes and resources.
I've actually found that 1 lb. of soap goes a ways. That's like 6 bars. So 1 pound of lye will last a long while, unless you plan on large scale production. But I wouldn't try that untill you have a really good idea of what you are doing!
I use Red Devil lye and I found it in the plumbing department at the hardware store for like $4 for about 12 oz.
Do lots of reading and have a very clear idea of what you need, what you will be doing before you start though. I messed up my first batch, but after that, it became easier and easier! Start simple (like a basic lard/lye recipe) and small.
I usually make 1 huge batch in the fall at about canning time and that lasts me all year. Since homemade soap doesn't have so much fillers and air and it cures longer, it lasts longer.
I understand what you are saying!! I really feel that getting in touch with my ability to care for myself and be self-reliant really makes my life simpler. It helps me see what is really important and focus on that. It's ironic that independance, not commercial dependance actually makes life simpler.
I'm trying to get a batch of homemade vinegar started as well. |
Brugie
Chariton, IA
(Zone 5b)
April 25, 2006
09:19 AM Post #2219204
| Lori wrote this morning:
| Quoted: | Oh shoot, I totally forgot to grab my recipe.
I agree with glamory. Read everything.
I started with Susan Miller Cavitch's book "The Soapmaker's Companion". It was easy to understand and offered several recipes in smaller sizes for we beginners. |
I hope someone can post an easy recipe. I only saw Lori make it once, but I'd still like to make a batch myself. |
tucker303
Denver, CO
April 25, 2006
02:05 PM Post #2219980
| Thanks for the book title renwings. Snatched one from ebay!
|
dove_14204
Buffalo, NY
April 25, 2006
05:51 PM Post #2220574
| I am a soap and candle maker. i have to say calling the soap I make lye soap would be very wrong. the science of combing lye and oils is call saponification. once the alkali and the oils are combined the end result is a salt. making cp/hp soap is not throwing lye and oils together. You need to measure everything after putting the ingredients through a calculator to get the exact amounts.
Several very good books were mentioned. I also suggest checking out kathy millers site. Just google her name. I would suggest joining a soaping forum. the soapdish is a very informative forum for those who wish to learn about soap making.
Melt and pour soaps is not actual soap making. It is buying a manufactured base that you cut up and add additives then melt and pour into molds. You can make some very pretty mp soaps using that method.
i would love to share with folks soap making recipes. However i would ask that you would research and understand the process and safety guidelines first.
I also make lotions, body butter, bath salts, and lots of other goodies.
My next step is to begin using herbs to enhance my soaps and such.
I'm eager to hear what the rest of you are up to. |
tucker303
Denver, CO
April 25, 2006
09:43 PM Post #2221389
| I would be interested in some recipes. I have read up on it...and bought some more books. I am thinking I am over studying!!!! |
renwings
Sultan, WA
(Zone 8a)
April 26, 2006
03:22 AM Post #2222280
| No worries, I don't think you can overstudy a topic like this. If not only for safety sake! Lye burns are painful! There are very few things so disapointing as time and effort invested in a failed soap batch. I heartily recommend a digital scale (or some kind of accurate scale!). . . Precise measurements can only truly be derived by weight as opposed to volume.
In that book I recommended there are a few recipes for making soap transparent using vodka and the like. Also a few for making liquid or gel soaps (like shampoo). I'd love to try that! I also found a method for making soap in the blender (using only liquid fats like olive oil).
Does anybody else mill their soap?
|
tucker303
Denver, CO
April 26, 2006
09:44 AM Post #2222807
| Thanks for the encouragement renwings. I am a homesteader-wannbe I guess. I have learned to do so many things over the last few years...building arbors, etc. This summer, soap and beer making (but not at the same time!). |
renwings
Sultan, WA
(Zone 8a)
April 26, 2006
02:03 PM Post #2223682
| Do you have a booked called "The Country Living Almanac"? An excellent resource in my opinion, for any budding homesteader. I get a lot of use out of it. I can't recall the author's name, but it is all based on her lifelong experience and others who have done the same. Actually lived the lifestyle and made it work. |
tucker303
Denver, CO
April 26, 2006
03:44 PM Post #2223991
| Well. I guess I need to do another ebay purchase!
I have read Rural Renaissance (liked), Homesteading in the City (good but too "earthy" for me), one buy Vivian (written in 1974)...and ordered Nearing's Good Life. I also have some Foxfire books but have not read them. Some of these have great hints...others are just for inspiration for me.
I got rid of TV and like to read before bed...so books are good for me!
|
renwings
Sultan, WA
(Zone 8a)
April 28, 2006
07:34 PM Post #2231163
| I don't think we've had a TV signal in our home for 5 years now. I don't miss it at all. We still rent movies every once and a while. Every time I see the TV on in some elses home, I'm just shocked at how awfull it is and how we let ourselves get used to things like that. A balanced media diet is just as important as a the other kind!
I'll have to take a look at those other books you listed, I haven't read any of those! |
kanita
Los Angeles, CA
(Zone 10a)
May 17, 2006
07:50 PM Post #2290505
| Hi All! I have been making cold process, transparent (not glycerine), liquid and cream soaps for 20+ years now. I have my own business which is an entire line of bodycare that does both wholesale and retail.
Glad to meet you all.
kanita |
renwings
Sultan, WA
(Zone 8a)
May 28, 2006
01:57 AM Post #2324271
| I've always wanted to know what the difference was between cold and hot process soap. I've never done the hot process. I only know that you cook it. |
kanita
Los Angeles, CA
(Zone 10a)
May 29, 2006
05:26 PM Post #2329204
|
Hot proces is simply cold process soap that has been cooked over a double broiler, and then poured into the molds. Basically, you are forcing the soap into a prolonged gel state which burns off the alkalinity of the sodium hydroxide and makes it harden quicker for immediate use. Although a good hot processed soap is still allowed to cure to fully extract as much water as possible to make for a longer lasting bar of soap, just as cold process is. A properly made bar of cold process soap can be used immediately, as the gel stage is what burns off the alkalinity.
It used to be said that you had to wait to use cold process soaps, because older versions and formulas were too lye heavy. If your lye is proper proportion to your oils, you should get a good gel in your soaps, and the soap is safe to use. However, you should allow it to cure, in order to remove water and make the bar harder and last longer. Air does not oxidize lye and make it skin safe. The curing process is meant to make for a more quality bar that lasts longer in the show because there is no excess water in the bar to speed up its "breakdown" under daily use.
If you have a lye heavy bar of soap the day you take it out of the mold, you will have a lye heavy bar of soap 3 or 4 months from now as the lye crystalizes in soap bars when it is in excess in the formula, those are what we call lye "pocket", little holes in the soap if you cut up a bar of cp soap, and that soap will burn.
kanita - who makes nearly 1000 lbs of soap per month!
|
thecandlespasto
Fort Lauderdale, FL
November 02, 2006
04:55 PM Post #2876143
| I wanted to say that cold processed soap made correctly should not have lye in it once it is fully cured. Therefore lye cannot really be listed in the ingredients because there should be none in there. Any soap that still have lye in it should be rebatched and if lye is still present, thrown away. I have always used my soap on my face and never had any problems. Also, a good soap for the face needs to have a synergy of good oils. |
darius
So.Appalachian Mtns, VA
(Zone 5b)
November 02, 2006
05:00 PM Post #2876162
| Lye soap is great for poison ivy. (Early contact with it, not after it festers.) |
garden_mermaid
San Francisco Bay Ar, CA
(Zone 9b)
December 18, 2006
02:36 PM Post #3008946
| This may sound like a silly question...but I'm going to ask it anyway.
Has anyone tried making soap with calcium hydroxide (pickling lime) instead of sodium hydroxide (lye)?
Is the sodium the needed element or the hydroxide part?
Just curious. |
kanita
Los Angeles, CA
(Zone 10a)
December 19, 2006
12:37 PM Post #3011286
| Soap can only be made usign either potassium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide. Because potassium is less alkali than sodium, it is only abel to make liquid soaps. Calcium hydroxide is not a saponifying alkali, which is what is needed to make soaps. |
garden_mermaid
San Francisco Bay Ar, CA
(Zone 9b)
December 19, 2006
01:43 PM Post #3011460
| Thanks kanita. I am new to soapmaking and was ever hopeful that maybe the calcium hydroxide would work.
Meth labs are upsetting enough in the product they produce and the danger to the neighborhood. They are even more upsetting when we can't get basic household supplies (lye)! |
kanita
Los Angeles, CA
(Zone 10a)
December 20, 2006
12:08 PM Post #3013951
| If you need lye, let me know, as i sell all soamaking supplies, and since you're fairly local, it will only take a day for delivery. |
garden_mermaid
San Francisco Bay Ar, CA
(Zone 9b)
December 20, 2006
01:42 PM Post #3014199
| Thanks. I still have a little bit and will let you know when I need to order some more. |
kanita
Los Angeles, CA
(Zone 10a)
December 20, 2006
04:08 PM Post #3014546
| You know, Red Devil Brand Drain Cleaner is 100% lye (Sodium Hydroxide). I know that Ralph's carries it as i have seen it at my store. |
cpartschick
Gladwin, MI
(Zone 5a)
December 22, 2006
02:44 PM Post #3019307
| Hi,
I do not make soap myself, but my sister-in-law does. She makes all unscented very mild soap (bar) with lye and natural oils. (no animal fat) It is so wonderful, I just love it. Also the local Amish make wonderful soaps. One local makes a scented spearmint soap (bar) that is great!
My question is...we have a lot of wild wintergreen growing here. Is it possible to use dried wintergreen in soap for scent and texture? I think wintergreen may have something in it that could be harsh. I know it has asprin like qualities too. What do you think. I would like my sister-in-law to try it, but not ruin a whole batch of soap.
Thanks |
kanita
Los Angeles, CA
(Zone 10a)
December 24, 2006
02:33 PM Post #3023090
| You can use the wintergreen dried and powdered, however, it will not have that same strong scent as the saponifying breaks down the fragrance of the herbs, you might want to reinforce that with some wintergreen essential oil added right before you pour intothe molds. |
cpartschick
Gladwin, MI
(Zone 5a)
December 26, 2006
06:49 AM Post #3025387
| Thanks, we will try that! |
Natural001
Idaho Falls, ID
March 21, 2007
05:54 AM Post #3304758
| I make soap too,and lots of other body care items. I've been doing it since 1999 and boy have I learned much in those few years! I find it very gratifying, and the fact that I haven't purchased any body products in several years just makes me smile. It is nice to be able to formulate your own recipes for whatever "ailment" that you are trying to improve. I have found that even my worst bar of soap is better than the "best" store bought beauty bar. Plus, I can make them with additives, herbs, fragranced or plain, just whatever I want. I also make my own laundry soap which cleans better than any I have ever found. I trade my products to a local friend who gives me tallow and lard and I give him soaps, lotions, etc. for his family. He asked me what I put in my laundry soap. He said that his wife usually has to wash their son's athletic clothes 2-3 times before the stink is gone. She said that they were so clean and smelled wonderful just washing them once with my soap. Now that is wonderful! How rewarding it is to be self sufficient and make your own products. I applaud anyone who does it. Not only a great pastime, but self satisfying also. A win-win situation I believe. Cindy 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
weeding
Peachtree City, GA
(Zone 7b)
May 30, 2007
07:24 PM Post #3554587
| I have made soap for about 10+ years now. I have not bought soap from the store for 10+ years.
http://www.cindys-stuff.com/ |
Rynne_Lore
Camino, CA
June 03, 2007
01:39 PM Post #3569743
| I am new to makinging soap, and I messed up, could any of you please tell me what I did wrong and if my soap is useless?
I think I heated everything at too high a temputure, or I let it get too hot. my soap ended up as deformed, shirived, discolored, brittle blobs.
They deformed in the mold!
Please help me!
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
gingerlily
Paxton, FL
(Zone 8a)
June 03, 2007
09:19 PM Post #3571220
| Did you do cold process or hot process? |
Rynne_Lore
Camino, CA
July 13, 2007
05:33 PM Post #3732807
| I used the "cheap way"
Grading ivory soap bars and adding water to it over a double boiler,
So i guess Hot Prossess..
This message was edited Jul 13, 2007 1:39 PM |
kyjoy
Frankfort, KY
July 17, 2007
12:13 PM Post #3746450
| I have lots of Camay soap slivers. Can they be melted down and formed into new bars? If so, how does one go about it? I save the slivers because they make my bathrooms smell good. |
renwings
Sultan, WA
(Zone 8a)
July 17, 2007
12:29 PM Post #3746514
| Ryanne_Lore, lots of people like your method. It's called rebatching when you use premade soap. Melt and Pour is when you use "glycerin" (a weird term) or Melt and Pour soap. Hot Process is a method that involves cooking raw soap to achieve complete saponification over a shorter period of time than cold process.
If you add too much water, the soap shrivels as it dries. Can you post pics?
If you buy a soap base that is designed for rebatching you get better results.
kyjoy, anther member asked this question on this forum and I posted some easy instructions for rebatching here: http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/743711/
You'll have to forgive my laziness in sending you to another thread!! |
stumpenursery
Florence, AL
November 08, 2007
09:14 PM Post #4173507
| I've been making lye soap for about 5 yrs. now, that's the only thing my family uses now. I got repeat customers that swear by, wouldn't use anything else. I go to craft shows with my soaps, bath salts, and body washes. People seem to have a fascination with the lye soap. They says it reminds them of their grandma.
On a previous post it was mention that lye soap was used on plants, HOW? Would like to know how this works.
I named by soap products SOAP GARDENS
Below is a picture of my aloe soap.
Pam
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
pinkpoodlegirl
Rock Hill, SC
(Zone 7b)
November 09, 2007
09:25 AM Post #4174879
| What do you put in the aloe soap? I love the look of it. It looks like strawberry ice cream.
I need to get a batch or two of soap made so it will be ready for Christmas gifts. I have only made a couple batches but they both turned out great and I am inspired to make more. I had a hard time getting lye but my mom was able to buy it near her so she stocked me up. I just have to keep her in homemade soap. Great tradeoff! |
stumpenursery
Florence, AL
November 09, 2007
09:59 AM Post #4174978
| I use aloe juice instead of spring water, castor oil, olive oil,
vit. e, safflower oil, coconut. I put drops of red dye in it and just fold, don't mix too much, and it gives it that color.
Pam |
pinkpoodlegirl
Rock Hill, SC
(Zone 7b)
November 09, 2007
12:09 PM Post #4175410
| It looks great. Do you use all aloe juice and no water? What does the aloe do in the soap? I may have to try that in my next batch of soap. |
stumpenursery
Florence, AL
November 09, 2007
10:22 PM Post #4177340
| I use just the aloe, it gives the soap a better texture. And it's good for ya.
Pam |
pinkpoodlegirl
Rock Hill, SC
(Zone 7b)
November 10, 2007
09:07 PM Post #4180328
| Did the recipe you use call for the aloe or did you substitute it for the water in a recipe you had? I have heard that you need to follow the recipes exactly but I like to expirament.
I will have to give it a try. I was going to try grapefruit scent. I need to find the essential oil or fragrance oil. I want to get it made this week so I better get looking. |
stumpenursery
Florence, AL
November 11, 2007
10:54 AM Post #4181708
| I just did that way, I have sensitive skin and knew this way would be better for me. I have people swear by it for use on acne.
I get my aloe juice at W*****T, it really cheap.
What ever amount of water your recipe calls for, just replace it with the aloe, I haven't had any problems yet.
Good Luck,
Pam |
pinkpoodlegirl
Rock Hill, SC
(Zone 7b)
November 11, 2007
12:12 PM Post #4181961
| So you mix your lye with the aloe juice. |
darius
So.Appalachian Mtns, VA
(Zone 5b)
November 11, 2007
01:54 PM Post #4182248
| Does anyone make their own lye? Can't it be made from wood ashes and water? |
stumpenursery
Florence, AL
November 11, 2007
01:54 PM Post #4182251
| Pour your amount of aloe, instead of water, into your container, then pour measured amount of lye into it. It acts the same way as using water. |
stumpenursery
Florence, AL
November 11, 2007
01:56 PM Post #4182257
| Not brave enough to try that just yet, it's hard enuf trying to get the stuff anyway, it's like signing your life away. |
pashsoapmakers
Plant City, FL
November 11, 2007
04:33 PM Post #4182728
| Yes, you do have to sign your life away, I use Camden-Grey in Miami. We drive from Tampa to get out supplies and Camden's customer service is outstanding.
I find their prices good also for most everything.
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
stumpenursery
Florence, AL
November 11, 2007
08:15 PM Post #4183521
| Your soap looks great, do you not wrap? I put a label on mine but I leave it open so people can touch and smell. |
pashsoapmakers
Plant City, FL
November 11, 2007
09:05 PM Post #4183725
| No I don't wrap them, hasn't been a problem so far. |
