| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Kassie_K |
Posted - Mar 26 2005 : 09:20:08 AM
I make soap allot. I will share the basic recipe,you can change it to your needs, Blender Milk Soap 1 cup of melted lard, 1 cup of oil,1 cup of GOAT milk, 1/4 cup of lye and 1/4 cup of rain water. Put the lye in a steel bowl in the sink add the rain water stir with a wooden spoon till it is milkie clear. In the blender add the melted lard, oil, and milk,blend 3 seconds, add lye mixture make sure the cover is on Blender,blend till it traceing [Filmie] Pour in molds, leave in molds for 24 hours and take out and put in a place so it will cure for 3 weeks. You can play around with the oils, just make sure that it measures out to 2 cups. If the soap will not come out of the molds, place in freezer for an hour,it will fall out.You can put the soap on brown paper bags to cure or a wire rack.
When the door opens, It's GODS will. |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Brew Crew |
Posted - Aug 11 2008 : 08:54:24 AM
Aimee's right; Lowe's is the best local place to get it.
Marly: I don't know that Kassie is an active member on this site at this time; I noticed this thread was started by her in 2005. There are several soapmakers on this site, though (including myself ;) )that use goat milk. Off the top of my head, I know therusticcottage is one, and also botanicalbath. Hope that helps!
The Biz www.tvalahandmade.com
The Blog: http://blog.tvalahandmade.com/
The Bits www.happydalehobby.blogspot.com/
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| aimeeravae |
Posted - Aug 11 2008 : 08:14:36 AM
I get my Lye at Lowe's. They keep it with the drain cleasers and things. Some places can still order it but don't stock it because of the meth production. Ask at your grocery store if they will get you some. I haven't ordered any online because the shipping is crazy on it right now.
Aimee
http://laplantewardklopf.blogspot.com/ Motto To Live By
"Life should NOT be a jouney to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, latte in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO, what a ride!" |
| Bear5 |
Posted - Aug 09 2008 : 9:01:53 PM
Kassie:
Do you sell your goat soap? If you do, let me know. I would love to get some from you. What other soaps do you make, if any? I'll check back on this site later to see if you have posted an answer. Sounds awesome to me.
Marly |
| Mnhorsemom |
Posted - Jul 04 2007 : 08:49:45 AM
I have been doing soap and soy candles for a few years now. I have to agree with every ones cautions when using lye, but don't let it scare you out of trying to make soap. Just be careful, and pay attention to what you are doing. Another good site for soaping info and recipes etc. is www.candletech.com There are several different forums there for soaping, B&B and candles. It's a good idea to read as much as you can so you will have an idea of what to expect when venturing into soaping. Oh, and BTW once you try it be ready to get addicted 
Farm House Formulas Battle Lake, MN |
| nashbabe |
Posted - May 25 2007 : 7:19:31 PM
There are chemical companies around here that will sell 50 pound bags, that may be more than you want, sometimes I go in with a couple other small time soapmakers. I'm mostly a candlemaker.
Grew up on a farm...moved to da city... |
| horse |
Posted - May 25 2007 : 11:51:35 AM
Here in Ms it is very hard to find, I buy mine through Lehman's catalog. Some states are different.
Laura
www.2lmzfarms.blogspot.com |
| nashbabe |
Posted - May 24 2007 : 8:15:39 PM
Always respect the lye! I met a soapmaker who said she didn't bother with goggles, gloves, long sleeves and etc. I think she was crazy/...just waiting for a trip to the ER. Also prepare your lye water when kids are napping or nowhere near you, and when you can do it without interruption.
Grew up on a farm...moved to da city... |
| BotanicalBath |
Posted - May 05 2007 : 11:59:24 PM
Lye will be getting harder to buy from a soap supplier because USPS has changed it rules on what you can ship. No lye No liquids. If you want less than 50 lbs, you may want to find a soapmakers gathering. They usually will have a co-op on lye in small quanties. I went to the Ohio one last month, and they did have a bunch of co-ops and suppliers came soap you could cash and carry all kinds of supplies.
E-
BotanicalBath@peoplepc.com |
| shepherdess |
Posted - May 05 2007 : 11:12:18 PM
We cannot buy Lye anywhere now in our area. Only at soap suppliers. Because it is used for making Meth.
Farm Girl from Western Washington
" From sheep to handspun."
http://mountainmorningfarm.blogspot.com |
| BotanicalBath |
Posted - May 01 2007 : 3:18:41 PM
Michelle, Pure 100% Lye is getting very hard to come by. I buy it 100 - 200 lbs at a time, and I go though a supplier. They dont make Red devil any more, but if you can still find it.... BUY IT ALL.
I have been making soap for a very long time. The best book I have found is the soapmakers companion by Susan Miller Cavitch
Also www.millersoap.com is excellent. Although I have been offered 2 book deals on soap making, I am not a writer.
Becareful and respect the lye. Many accidents have happened and recently there was on with a 2 yr old boy who pulled a pitcher off of a counter on his head. It did get into his eyes... the mother acted quickly and he is ok. She was brave enough to post this with pictures on a soap board with a warning to other parents. So being a bit afraid of it may be a good thing.... Remember chemistry lab? Use your good lab skills. This is organic chemistry.
I do agree with Robin and Eileen. From reading what they wrote, they are experienced soapmakers... and take the safty issue seriously.
My 2 cents of advice is just go out and invest in a digital scale and a stick blender.
You can find lots of stainless steel bowls at the thrift store.
I dont recommend anyone making soap by volume do it by weight.
Dont stir lye with a wooden spoon.... you will ruin a perfectally good wooden spoon. Rubbermaid plastic spoon is a better choice. I use a chopstick and rubbermaid gallon pitchers.
Lye spill... Dilute with water. Vinagar is not a strong enough acid to counter act the lye. Water Water Water is the best thing.
First batch? Make it in a crock pot.... no waiting for it to cure. You can use it as soon as it is cool enough to touch.
Every oil has a different saponification value... make sure you are using the correct amount of lye for the oils. If you are making a tiny batch (5lb or less) this is much more critical.
Soapmaking can be Lots of Fun and a very addicting hobbie.
But it is better to be safe than sorry.
If anyone has questions, please ask... you can email me. Or better post pubically, Others may have the same questions.
HTH, I take soap making personally
Botanical-Bath.com
E- |
| therusticcottage |
Posted - Jun 10 2006 : 10:30:39 AM
Majestic Mountain Sage is the one that I use. I've tried others but this is the one I feel most comfortable with.
http://www.thesage.com/calcs/lyecalc2.php
Visit my blog at http://rusticcottage.blogspot.com/
Lotion bars, linen water & more in my online shop! http://therusticcottage.etsy.com
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| Eileen |
Posted - Jun 09 2006 : 7:49:17 PM
Hi soap makers, Do any of you use an online lye calculator, if so which one and how do you like it?
Eileen
Songbird; singing joy to the earth |
| frontierlady |
Posted - Jun 07 2006 : 06:57:16 AM
I saw a post about children being underfoot....Don't forget about
pet's! Especially cats!
I was mixing my lye/water mixture outside and a cat bumped into
my arm! It left a terrible stain on the porch! Thank goodness
it was only the porch!
I always keep vinegar right at my side when I do soap too, mostly
when I do the lye/water mixing.
Always work with safety in mind. |
| prairiemomma |
Posted - Jun 06 2006 : 2:05:07 PM
Fellow soap makers...how cool. I'm getting ready to venture into this new skill. Fortunately I have a friend close by who I think will be able to help me if I hit a snag, but reading all the previous suggestions has also been helpful. I think the most confusing for me is doing the recalculations if you want to use different oils or a larger or smaller batch. 
Living simply with hopefulness and joy! |
| JudyBlueEyes |
Posted - Jun 06 2006 : 10:42:33 AM
Hi, Michelle, you can find Red Devil Lye at the grocery store, I think it comes in an 18 ounce can now. Don't mistake it for Drano, that has lots of other chemicals in it besides sodium hydroxide (lye). If you're by a bigger town that has industry, you can maybe find it in a chemical supply store. When I lived in San Diego, I could get it in 10 pound increments, for about $1/pound. Now, in Spokane, I have to buy 50 pounds, but it is still about $1/pound and I don't have any kids around to get into it. Good luck. And have fun, I just love the soap making process! Judy
The Rooster crows, but the Hen lays the egg. ~ Texas Proverb |
| shellybien0319 |
Posted - Jun 06 2006 : 09:08:46 AM
If one were to venture into soap making for the first time, where would one buy lye?
Michelle |
| hammondfarm |
Posted - Apr 21 2006 : 05:09:03 AM
I have used a stick blender since my very first batch of soap. It has worked very well for me.
Speaking of goats, we milk our own goats for our goat milk soap. It is very hard to milk and still keep up with making of the soap. However, I do enjoy the goats.
Best Regards,
Julie
Hammond Farm
www.hammondfarm.com
People Tested Goat Approved, tm |
| HollyDee |
Posted - Mar 01 2006 : 5:31:51 PM
A big Thank You to Kassie K. I have been reading up, gearing up, procrastinating because with little time without little ones Most of the recipes and precautions are just too lengthy. Your recipe sounds so doable, and then Thank You for all the reminders and tips of the dangers of Lye. You are all so great can't wait to make a batch, even want a goat for the milk ( and companionship) You are all great and to also be sensitive so noone is offended. Just an appreciation going out to you all. Were do you get this elusive lye though?
Holly Dee Also almost out of store bought dish soap and want to go organic. Do you have an elementery recipe for dish soap for doing dishes by hand? Gracious! |
| Shirley |
Posted - Mar 01 2006 : 12:18:01 PM
Well, I have to agree with Eileen, soap making can be dangerous if not done with caution.
The book all say never all the water to the lye,(there is one that says this but she has been called on it )
You should always wear googles while dealing with the lye, it only takes one slip or one little splash to have it in an eye . If it is splashed on a counter or on your skin, it can be washed off , and you can feel it start to burn so you know to get it washed off. but in your eyes its not that easy. I also use rubber gloves while stiring the mixture, its alot easier to wash off the glove then burning hands. andstill when pouring into mold sometimes my arn above the gloves get some on them(burning feeling, wash off soon)
Its not going to eat through your skin instantly.
This is just my opinion, but I think its very dangerous to use a blender to mix the soap in, I use a stick blender where you can keep a better control of where the soap is going.
Like I said this is only my opinion so dont get all bent about it, I dont think however that this would be good idea for a beginner to start out making soap.
The discussion was good on here, and reading a bunch of soap books is a very good idea before you start
Thanks
shirley who has been making cold precess soap for a very looooooong time |
| pollyesther |
Posted - Mar 01 2006 : 08:20:35 AM
Thanks to both of you ladies, Kassie & Eileen, for the wonderful soap making recipe and the sage safety advice. Both have been noted and are sure to help a first time soapmaker, like myself, turn out a nice batch without injury.
Again, many thanks! |
| ladybugsmom6 |
Posted - Oct 05 2005 : 1:14:12 PM
I love the idea of making gaots mlk soap. OUr 4H leader raises goats and has offered to teachus to make it. But my kids 10, 9, 7, 6 want to learn to make soap.I would like to make bees wax soap...But I am clueless. any ideas?
-Tami
livin' right and loven' life! |
| KarenP |
Posted - May 28 2005 : 09:11:20 AM
The warnings about lye are good to keep in mind.
I tell you I was terrified the first batch I made, face shield, high rubber gloves and large full apron and husband donned the same way.
I'm not quite so fanatical about it now, but still open windows to ventilate while the lye water is cooling, eye protection and a jug of vinegar ready to neutrilize the lye if splashes happen.
My soapmaking supplies are hidden in Redwing crocks, 12 gallon, 5 gallon and 3 gallon,stacked neatly in the corner of my kitchen.
When making soap, I usually like to be alone and no distractions.
I usually make HOT PROCESS soap, so I need to keep focused.
KarenP
from Wisconsin's dairy air |
| Aunt Jenny |
Posted - Mar 29 2005 : 1:03:43 PM
I tend to do most of my soapmaking late at night..less chance of little kids around. I mix my lye/water solution in a recycled 46 oz juice bottle (glass) which I punch two holes in for pouring when I pour it into the oils at the right time. I love it. It has LYE!! written on it and I hide it under the kitchen sink where no one ventures but me. That is where i hide the wooden spoons I stir soap with too. They look so ugly now I doubt anyone would use them for cooking anyway, but I just feel better if they are out of the way.
Jenny in Utah
Bloom where you are planted! |
| jpbluesky |
Posted - Mar 28 2005 : 12:43:51 PM
I understand a little why you were offended Kassie. Probably if the reply had come from MaryJane herself or someone on the staff of MJF, it would have been easier to accept. When another reader, as yourself, becomes authoritative, it can seem offensive.
But reading these posts surely brings home the fact that everyone posting here is genuinely concerned about possible dangers to one another!
Thank you to all who have made soap for the wonderful information!
jpbluesky
"Keep us here, all simply in the springing of the year." From A Prayer in Spring by Robert Frost |
| Kassie_K |
Posted - Mar 28 2005 : 08:57:28 AM
I am sorry Ladies,when you don;t have little ones under your feet everyday, you forget how dangerous somethings are. Its OK,I must remember this. THANK YOU
When the door opens, It's GODS will. |
