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Book Ideas:  Soap Making  |
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naturemaiden
True Blue Farmgirl
2569 Posts
Connie - Farmgirl #673
Hoosick Falls
NY
USA
2569 Posts |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
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naturemaiden
True Blue Farmgirl
2569 Posts
Connie - Farmgirl #673
Hoosick Falls
NY
USA
2569 Posts |
 Posted - Jun 21 2009 : 12:52:31 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by Alee
Easy and addicting :D
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
www.allergyjourneys.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com
addicting alright, i have over 40 varieties now, lol
connie
Also visit my online store @ www.NatureMaiden.com -Handcrafted Bath & Body Products that I make myself- including soaps, salves, lotion bars, lip balms, natural deodorants, body sprays, hydrosols, salt scrubs, and MUCH more!
http://naturemaidenbathbodyproduct.blogspot.com (Personal Blog)
http://site.naturemaiden.com/blog1/ (Business Blog)
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knittingmom
True Blue Farmgirl
665 Posts
AnneMarie
Edmonton
Alberta
Canada
665 Posts |
Posted - Jun 21 2009 : 1:08:34 PM
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Very easy to do, looks hard (to those who don't), great oooh factor for gifts :)
I made a really nice Tangerine/Cinnamon blend for Christmas one year. Used Tangerine Essential Oil and ground Cinnamon (swirled it in).
"There is no foot so small that it cannot leave an imprint on this world" |
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Wildcrafter
True Blue Farmgirl
340 Posts
Suzanne
Seattle
WA
USA
340 Posts |
Posted - Jun 25 2009 : 10:43:15 AM
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Yes, very easy. I'm teaching a soap making workshop this Sunday afternoon...both hot and cold process. Wanna come?
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I woke up on January 1st and it was 2009.
And it's been that way ever since!
www.goodnaturedearthling.com
Cedar Mountain Herb School
http://goodnaturedearthling.wordpress.com/
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Wildcrafter
True Blue Farmgirl
340 Posts
Suzanne
Seattle
WA
USA
340 Posts |
Posted - Jun 25 2009 : 11:03:38 AM
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By the way, I'm just noticing... People say that cold process soap can be used after 24 hours because the lye and fats have finished saponifying in that short time. That is just not true. Use a bar of cold process soap after 24 hours and you'll have very dry skin. It takes 30 days to fully saponify. Meaning for all the molecules of lye to completely bond with fat molecules to form long chains which is soap. 24 hours? Nope. No way. With hot process, sure. But not cold process. There is a lot of false info about this on various forums and it's basically passed around by newbies and novices. Passed around enough for people to think it's true. I've been making soap for 20 years and can vouch for the information.
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I woke up on January 1st and it was 2009.
And it's been that way ever since!
www.goodnaturedearthling.com
Cedar Mountain Herb School
http://goodnaturedearthling.wordpress.com/
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naturemaiden
True Blue Farmgirl
2569 Posts
Connie - Farmgirl #673
Hoosick Falls
NY
USA
2569 Posts |
Posted - Jun 25 2009 : 11:22:48 AM
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I don't know....I've used my soap after 24 hrs and it has never, ever dried out my skin. I use several oils and butters in my soap. I'm not saying it is not possible, but it's not been my experience with my soaps. I don't think that is a 100% accurate thing to state, I think it depends on the ingredients used. Even my all natural lye soap, used 24 hrs after, has never dried out my skin.
Connie
Also visit my online store @ www.NatureMaiden.com -Handcrafted Bath & Body Products that I make myself- including soaps, salves, lotion bars, lip balms, natural deodorants, body sprays, hydrosols, salt scrubs, and MUCH more!
http://naturemaidenbathbodyproduct.blogspot.com (Personal Blog)
http://site.naturemaiden.com/blog1/ (Business Blog)
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Jun 25 2009 : 12:14:12 PM
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I have used my soap after 24 hours and at most have only noticed a very mild dryness- and that was usually just because I had been washing my hands a lot during the making process. Ever notice how often you end up washing your hands when making soap?
That being said my soap is much more hard after the full 30 days and lasts much longer and I have never experienced drying after 30 days.
What temps do you all combine at? I usually do mine at pretty high temperatures, however I am thinking I will go back down to lower temps again so I can play with more colors and swirling. I used to love to swirl my soaps, but the high temps have a tendancy to scald and discolor dyes and pigments.
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
www.allergyjourneys.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 |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
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CherryMeDarlin
True Blue Farmgirl
602 Posts
Cherry
Odenville
AL
USA
602 Posts |
Posted - Jun 25 2009 : 3:49:47 PM
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What would you girls estimate the start-up cost and cost per bar would be? I've always had an interest in making soap, but thought it might not be very cost-effective. I'd love a tropical smelling soap! Or one that smells like fresh-cut-grass! YUM!
~~Cherry~~
http://cherrymedarlin.blogspot.com
"A thing is as simple or as complicated as you make it." --TT Murphy |
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naturemaiden
True Blue Farmgirl
2569 Posts
Connie - Farmgirl #673
Hoosick Falls
NY
USA
2569 Posts |
Posted - Jun 25 2009 : 3:53:53 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by CherryMeDarlin
What would you girls estimate the start-up cost and cost per bar would be? I've always had an interest in making soap, but thought it might not be very cost-effective. I'd love a tropical smelling soap! Or one that smells like fresh-cut-grass! YUM!
~~Cherry~~
http://cherrymedarlin.blogspot.com
"A thing is as simple or as complicated as you make it." --TT Murphy
Hi Cherry,
I know that I spent a lot of money, for all the supplies, molds, etc. It could cost hundreds- depending how much you want to get into it I suppose. Or you can buy melt & pour soap, I found a great supplier with natural soap bases- it's great if you just want to play around with some for yourself. Their site is: http://www.wholesalesuppliesplus.com/StoreGroup.aspx?CatalogID=1&GroupID=1&GroupName=++Bases+-+Melt+%26+Pour+Soap
connie
www.NatureMaiden.com -Handcrafted Bath & Body Products that I make myself- including soaps, salves, lotion bars, lip balms, natural deodorants, body sprays, hydrosols, salt scrubs, and MUCH more!
http://site.naturemaiden.com/blog1/ (Business Blog)
http://naturemaidenbathbodyproduct.blogspot.com (Personal Blog)
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therusticcottage
True Blue Farmgirl
4439 Posts
Kay
Vancouver
WA
USA
4439 Posts |
Posted - Jul 02 2009 : 10:55:32 AM
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Alee - I don't do anything special. Just stick the mold in the oven at 175 to 185 for 2 hours, then turn the oven off, and let the soap sit in there until cool. I used to cover the top with saran wrap but quit doing that too because of the condensation. If I need to use the oven I take the soap out, cover it with a towel, let it sit until cool. That works too.
Handmade Soap & Lotion Bars http://www.therusticcottagebath.com
The Rustic Cottage Blog http://therusticcottage.blogspot.com
Follow me on Twitter! www.twitter.com/rusticcottage
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therusticcottage
True Blue Farmgirl
4439 Posts
Kay
Vancouver
WA
USA
4439 Posts |
Posted - Jul 02 2009 : 11:01:11 AM
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Cherry - when I started out I did it on the cheap as far as equipment goes. I shopped the Goodwill and garage sales for my stick blender, stainless steel pot, etc. I get my stainless steel large stirring spoons at the dollar store and a plastic pitcher for lye from there too. Don't skimp on ingredients - you want to get the best you can. The molds will be the most expensive but you can use plastic containers, cardboard boxes lined with plastic, etc at first. Just don't use aluminum as it will react with the lye. I now have wooden molds but I got my friend's husband to make them for me and it cost me $20 for 4. Sometimes they can be as much as $40 to $80 each.
The cost per bar will depend on your ingredients. The thing that drives the cost up are the scents - they have gotten so expensive in the last year. If you want to start with melt and pour I would suggest using SFIC base - it is all natural. You can get it at Brambleberry, Southern Soapers, and Old Kentucky Candle and Soap. It's a little more expensive but does not have any SLS or chemicals in it. I love the goat's milk and the olive oil base.
Handmade Soap & Lotion Bars http://www.therusticcottagebath.com
The Rustic Cottage Blog http://therusticcottage.blogspot.com
Follow me on Twitter! www.twitter.com/rusticcottage
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Edited by - therusticcottage on Jul 02 2009 11:01:51 AM |
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Wildcrafter
True Blue Farmgirl
340 Posts
Suzanne
Seattle
WA
USA
340 Posts |
Posted - Jul 06 2009 : 7:27:29 PM
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I would never use cold process soap less than the 30 days cure time. There is free floating lye whether you want to believe it or not. Whether you superfat the soap or not.
Wholesale buying of ingredients is the way to go with soapmaking if you intend to start a business. The bigger the quantities you buy, the more less you spend per pound (or whatever) in the long run. Now if you're making a batch or two just for the family, retail is great. There are a ton of retail sellers of soap ingredients, me included. I sell soap making kits with all the ingredients to make 25 bars of soap. That should last a family about a year.
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I woke up on January 1st and it was 2009.
And it's been that way ever since!
www.goodnaturedearthling.com
Cedar Mountain Herb School
http://goodnaturedearthling.wordpress.com/
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Edited by - Wildcrafter on Jul 06 2009 7:28:51 PM |
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melody
True Blue Farmgirl
3318 Posts
Melody
The Great North Woods in the Land of Hiawatha
USA
3318 Posts |
Posted - Jul 07 2009 : 11:19:08 AM
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Have you ever used Sweet Fern in any of your soaps?
I have a casual acquaintance who brought me a large amount and left it on my front door step. She did the same thing this time last year.
I have been doing some research on it and found that it is used in salves for mosquitoe bites etc. I want to make sure that it is topically safe before I try anything. I thought a blend of Calendula petals, some Comfrey root and some distilled water with a tea made of the Fern leaves would make a fine soap. Have you ever heard of soap made with Sweet Fern?
I would appreciate your expertise on this matter. I won't create anything until I have more info, but wanted to ask you this as a fellow "soaper!" 
Melody
Farmgirl #525
http://melodynotes-melodynotes.blogspot.com
www.lemonverbenasoap.etsy.com |
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Wildcrafter
True Blue Farmgirl
340 Posts
Suzanne
Seattle
WA
USA
340 Posts |
Posted - Jul 07 2009 : 4:52:54 PM
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Are you asking me? I have never used sweet fern. I do use a fern root in my hair repair tonic.
I think experimenting with different herbs and things in soap is one of my favorite things to do!
xo
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I woke up on January 1st and it was 2009.
And it's been that way ever since!
www.goodnaturedearthling.com
Cedar Mountain Herb School
http://goodnaturedearthling.wordpress.com/
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melody
True Blue Farmgirl
3318 Posts
Melody
The Great North Woods in the Land of Hiawatha
USA
3318 Posts |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
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Wildcrafter
True Blue Farmgirl
340 Posts
Suzanne
Seattle
WA
USA
340 Posts |
Posted - Jul 08 2009 : 07:42:25 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by melody
Suzanne. I have never used Sweet Fern before...how is it in your hair repair tonic? I have been scouring the "net" looking for info. What is the Cedar Mountain Herb School?? I would love to enroll....
Melody
Melody, I live in Western Washington State. Where do you live? You're welcome to join us!
I'm not sure what fern you mean when you say "sweet" fern. I have never heard of that before. There are so many common names for the same plant, the botanical name is important to know so that we know we are talking about the same plant. The fern in my hair repair tonic is sword fern, Polystichum munitum. I use the root and dig it up in the early spring or late fall.
----------------------------------------------------------
I woke up on January 1st and it was 2009.
And it's been that way ever since!
www.goodnaturedearthling.com
Cedar Mountain Herb School
http://goodnaturedearthling.wordpress.com/
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Angel.Doc
Farmgirl at Heart
4 Posts
Bernice
Winter Haven
Florida
USA
4 Posts |
Posted - Jul 21 2010 : 3:07:16 PM
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I am just getting started and want to use an olive oil infusion. What type of olive oil do you use? (cold pressed, extra virgin etc) Do you have any favorite recipes you are willing to share? I am open to any and all suggestions.
quote:
Originally posted by therusticcottage
Cherry - when I started out I did it on the cheap as far as equipment goes. I shopped the Goodwill and garage sales for my stick blender, stainless steel pot, etc. I get my stainless steel large stirring spoons at the dollar store and a plastic pitcher for lye from there too. Don't skimp on ingredients - you want to get the best you can. The molds will be the most expensive but you can use plastic containers, cardboard boxes lined with plastic, etc at first. Just don't use aluminum as it will react with the lye. I now have wooden molds but I got my friend's husband to make them for me and it cost me $20 for 4. Sometimes they can be as much as $40 to $80 each.
The cost per bar will depend on your ingredients. The thing that drives the cost up are the scents - they have gotten so expensive in the last year. If you want to start with melt and pour I would suggest using SFIC base - it is all natural. You can get it at Brambleberry, Southern Soapers, and Old Kentucky Candle and Soap. It's a little more expensive but does not have any SLS or chemicals in it. I love the goat's milk and the olive oil base.
Handmade Soap & Lotion Bars http://www.therusticcottagebath.com
The Rustic Cottage Blog http://therusticcottage.blogspot.com
Follow me on Twitter! www.twitter.com/rusticcottage
Making God Proud |
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Book Ideas: Soap Making |
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Soap Making
