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Cleaning Up:  Grating Soap  |
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catscharm74
True Blue Farmgirl
4687 Posts
Heather
Texas
USA
4687 Posts |
 Posted - Dec 18 2008 : 09:00:31 AM
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I only have an old cheese grater. Do I use the smallest grate side? Thanks.
P.S. For the liquid soap, I just bought a small metal saucepan to melt the soap and a wooden spoon. Will this work? Thanks.
Heather
Yee-Haw, I am a cowgirl!!!
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Edited by - catscharm74 on Dec 18 2008 09:01:48 AM |
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MsCwick
True Blue Farmgirl
775 Posts
Cristine
Farmville
Virginia
USA
775 Posts |
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catscharm74
True Blue Farmgirl
4687 Posts
Heather
Texas
USA
4687 Posts |
Posted - Dec 18 2008 : 09:52:36 AM
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Yes, laundry soap. Thanks
Heather
Yee-Haw, I am a cowgirl!!!
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catscharm74
True Blue Farmgirl
4687 Posts
Heather
Texas
USA
4687 Posts |
Posted - Dec 18 2008 : 09:53:47 AM
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I was just wondering if it needs to be super fine to do. Otherwise, away I go!!! : )
Heather
Yee-Haw, I am a cowgirl!!!
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MsCwick
True Blue Farmgirl
775 Posts
Cristine
Farmville
Virginia
USA
775 Posts |
Posted - Dec 18 2008 : 09:55:39 AM
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did you see those pics, they were pretty big chunks.
Good luck. let us know how it goes!
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catscharm74
True Blue Farmgirl
4687 Posts
Heather
Texas
USA
4687 Posts |
Posted - Dec 18 2008 : 10:01:09 AM
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Thanks!!! I will!!! : )
Heather
Yee-Haw, I am a cowgirl!!!
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Dec 18 2008 : 11:03:26 AM
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On my cheese grater there is a side that grates like the big cheese holes but super fine. You can also get one of those Parmesan cheese graters like they have at Olive Garden and those work great!
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our blog: www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
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kissmekate
True Blue Farmgirl
890 Posts
Kate
Delano
Minnesota
890 Posts |
Posted - Dec 18 2008 : 2:54:14 PM
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I use the same side on my cheese grater too. The very fine side, then I whirl all the ingredients together in my food procesor. Just for my own anal self.
I make the powdered version too.
Good luck! Let us know what you think of it!
Don't miss out on a blessing, just because it isn't packaged the way you expected. ~MaryJo Copeland |
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catscharm74
True Blue Farmgirl
4687 Posts
Heather
Texas
USA
4687 Posts |
Posted - Dec 18 2008 : 4:20:27 PM
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I grated the soap...oh my!! It smells HEAVENLY in here!!! Waiting for Charlie to go to bed before I start the process... I am SOOOOOOO excited!!!
Heather
Yee-Haw, I am a cowgirl!!!
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StitchinWitch
True Blue Farmgirl
2249 Posts
Judith
Galt
CA
USA
2249 Posts |
Posted - Dec 18 2008 : 5:59:51 PM
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I use the cheese grater (the big holes) then spread the grated soap in a box to dry out even more. Then I put it in small batches in the food processor to grind it into little bitty bits before I mix it with the washing soad, baking soda, and borax.
Judith
Happiness is Homemade |
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catscharm74
True Blue Farmgirl
4687 Posts
Heather
Texas
USA
4687 Posts |
Posted - Dec 18 2008 : 6:05:16 PM
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Ok, I tried the liquid kind first (Because I have always been a liquid gal). Everything is mixed and sitting to cool in the bathroom tub. I had a hard time getting all the soap to melt- stirring, stirring, stirring.... x 1,000,000,000,000...you get the idea. Any tips? Also, there are some small chunks of borax/washing soda in the bottom. I stirred, stirred, stirred (you see where this is going) I hope this works or else I have 5 gallons of soapy water!!! : )
Heather
Yee-Haw, I am a cowgirl!!!
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nubidane
True Blue Farmgirl
2875 Posts
Lisa
Georgetown
OH
2875 Posts |
Posted - Dec 18 2008 : 7:05:19 PM
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Heather, I love the powdered version.. I usually just take it & put about 1 coffee scoop in an old olive jar with a lid, add some hot water & shake it up. Works great & you don't have to have a big 5 gallon bucket laying around.
My original powder I made with lavendar, rosemary, peppermint & tea tree oils for scent, but the last batch I used lemongrass, grapefruit, & sweet orange oils(I have a LOT of essential oils) & OMG it smells divine!!
Much easier to make & no boiling & less storage space.
Just my opinion though
HOOK EM!!
Go Colt McCoy! |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Dec 18 2008 : 9:11:59 PM
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Heather- did you heat the mixture? You need to heat the borax and washing soda to almost boiling to get them to dissolve properly. Also I dissolve the soap under medium low heat as well. Then I combine them and add the extra water.
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our blog: www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
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therusticcottage
True Blue Farmgirl
4439 Posts
Kay
Vancouver
WA
USA
4439 Posts |
Posted - Dec 19 2008 : 12:51:10 AM
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If you're going to grate a lot of soap try finding a Salad Shooter! They work the best for grating. I found mine on eBay but I bet you might be able to find one at the Goodwill, etc.
Handmade Soap and More! http://therusticcottage.etsy.com
The Rustic Cottage Blog http://therusticcottage.blogspot.com
PROUD FARMGIRL SISTER #100 |
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catscharm74
True Blue Farmgirl
4687 Posts
Heather
Texas
USA
4687 Posts |
Posted - Dec 19 2008 : 06:46:22 AM
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I used hot hot hot boiling water for the Washing Soda and Borax, then added the gelly soapy. It solidified on top of the water this morning. If I mix it up, it is lumpy and useable but not what I thought. HMMM???? : )
Heather
Yee-Haw, I am a cowgirl!!!
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Dec 19 2008 : 09:53:30 AM
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I have found it really works best if you can grate it REALLY fine. I use one of the parmesan graters...it is a little rotary one I got years and years ago from pampered chef.
The liquid version is a little icky looking...but works great..I did that for years. I do love the powdered version more now.
Jenny in Utah
Proud Farmgirl sister #24
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
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Suzan
True Blue Farmgirl
659 Posts
suzanne
duncannon
pa
USA
659 Posts |
Posted - Dec 19 2008 : 12:09:31 PM
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| Heather, I use the powdered version and love it! And I don't dissolve first, just put it in with the clothes. I grate it on a box grater on the side one would use for cheese and whirl it in my minichopper a little. Sometimes it doesn't get as fine as I would like but I've never had any problem with it dissolving. BTW, I use Fels Naptha bars. |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Dec 19 2008 : 12:36:17 PM
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Heather- Yes, it looks a bit weird. And for future makings of it- even if the water is really hot when you combine the borax/washing soda/ water it isn't quite hot enough. You really do need the boil just to get them to dissolve completely or you get little iceburgs of borax/washing soda at the bottom. The mix still works but I want all my powders working for me, ya know?
It will look kindof clumpy and that is why you have to shake/stir it before each use. The stuff from the store gets that nice consistent look by adding lots of really nasty fillers/thickening agents. And boy do you pay for it too! Not only in environmental terms, but also in the wallet. About 75% of what you put into the washer from commercial detergents really doesn't need to be there. It's just there to add bulk, make it thicker, and make it consistent.
Also because we use soap and not detergent for this recipe it looks a bit different too.
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our blog: www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
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catscharm74
True Blue Farmgirl
4687 Posts
Heather
Texas
USA
4687 Posts |
Posted - Dec 19 2008 : 12:38:12 PM
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Well, I declumpified (is that a word) by hand and when I went to rinse my hand off, it dissolved in cold water, so I think I will be ok. Next test is the laundry...dum dum dum!!!!
Heather
Yee-Haw, I am a cowgirl!!!
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Annie S
True Blue Farmgirl
756 Posts
Annie
Custer
S.D.
USA
756 Posts |
Posted - Dec 19 2008 : 7:37:38 PM
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The liquid version will be lumpy, just keep stirring it up before you use it.
I use to do the liquid version too, but prefer the grated powder instead - easier to fix for one thing. But my daughter used and likes the liquid.
Annie |
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windypines
True Blue Farmgirl
4179 Posts
Michele
Bruce
Wisconsin
USA
4179 Posts |
Posted - Dec 20 2008 : 04:25:39 AM
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I use my homemade soap for laundry soap making. I have found that I let my bar soap sit for at least a couple of months to dry out good. Then I use the fine bumpy side on the 4 sided box grater. The soap ends up a fine powder. Then I mix rest of indg. I started out using too fresh of soap, and could not get it fine. I would grate it like for cheeee, put it in the oven for a week ??? and then try to use a food processor or blemder to get it fine enough. It just did not work for me. So letting it really dry out in bar form, I think is the way to go.
Michele |
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cinnamongirl
True Blue Farmgirl
1682 Posts
Carrie
Canada
1682 Posts |
Posted - Jan 02 2009 : 4:14:23 PM
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| hi girls I had a quick question about the soap, Is laundry bar of soap better then any old bar of soap. |
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keeperofthehome
True Blue Farmgirl
154 Posts
Suzanne
Atlanta
Georgia
USA
154 Posts |
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Cleaning Up: Grating Soap |
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Grating Soap
