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Cleaning Up:  Soapmaking advice  |
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sherrye
True Blue Farmgirl
3775 Posts
sherry
bend in the high desert
oregon
USA
3775 Posts |
 Posted - Jan 14 2010 : 07:59:00 AM
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| hi all, just found this. wanted to mention that if you keep the soap in a room that is cold it stops curing. if stored after it is made and cut in a moderate temp it cures great. once cut it is like fine wine. in correct temp it ages and gets milder. i sell my long cure soap for more money. no cold not good. if just to harden a little and then cut ok not good for new soap. the lye and oils must bang against each other in the bar warm.i love the stick blender just a thought sherrye |
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therusticcottage
True Blue Farmgirl
4439 Posts
Kay
Vancouver
WA
USA
4439 Posts |
Posted - Jan 14 2010 : 09:46:24 AM
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Kristin - I've not heard of Sugar Plum. Palm stearic is available from almost any soap supplier as it is a main ingredient in lotion making. It's also called stearic acid. Comes in granular form so it's very easy to work work. It's always great to find a local supplier so that you can pick things up instead of having to pay for shipping. I am so blessed to have 2 great suppliers in Portland.
Handmade Soap, Lotion Bars & More! http://therusticcottage.etsy.com
The Rustic Cottage Blog http://therusticcottage.blogspot.com
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LakeOntarioFarmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
933 Posts
Brenda
North Rose
NY
USA
933 Posts |
Posted - Jan 14 2010 : 1:27:07 PM
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Kay, I love your etsy site!! Everything looks so pretty!
I noticed that you make your soaps with castor oil, don't you just love the bubbles it gives soap??!! I never make soap without it now, because I have to have the Bubbles!! :)
Brenda
FarmGirl # 711
Nothing we achieve in this world is achieved alone. It is always achieved with others teaching us along the way. Lee J. Colan
http://theviewfromhere-brenda.blogspot.com/ |
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therusticcottage
True Blue Farmgirl
4439 Posts
Kay
Vancouver
WA
USA
4439 Posts |
Posted - Jan 14 2010 : 1:49:24 PM
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Thank you Brenda!!!
I love castor oil! I couldn't make soap without it either. I just made a facial cleansing oil using castor and avocado oil (for my personal use) and I love it. I thought I had a recipe on my computer for castor oil and Vitamin E facial cream but I can't find it right now. If I find it I will post. I have so many recipes that I've collected. A good thing to post in the Hen House!
Handmade Soap, Lotion Bars & More! http://therusticcottage.etsy.com
The Rustic Cottage Blog http://therusticcottage.blogspot.com
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Jan 15 2010 : 3:31:12 PM
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Kay are you talking about the castor oil that parents used to make their kids drink if they had a stomach ache or didn't want to got to school?
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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therusticcottage
True Blue Farmgirl
4439 Posts
Kay
Vancouver
WA
USA
4439 Posts |
Posted - Jan 15 2010 : 10:56:57 PM
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Kristin - the medicinal castor can be used in soap. I've gotten it from the pharmacy in a pinch but it's kind of spendy that way. The cosmetic grade is what is sold for soap making. I now get mine in a gallon jug from a local supplier. Get a bottle at the pharmacy and try some in your soap. I do mine at about 3 to 5% of the recipe. It makes such wonderful lather!
Handmade Soap, Lotion Bars & More! http://therusticcottage.etsy.com
The Rustic Cottage Blog http://therusticcottage.blogspot.com
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Jan 16 2010 : 1:36:12 PM
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I am making soap today. I had bought some beet root powder because I thought it would make the rose soap a pretty pink color. Wrong! I am so glad I tested some before I poured it all in because it turned the ugliest gray. So ya'll don't use beet root powder.
I am also making some plain calendula soap. I have read that turmeric can be used to make soap yellow. I am going to try this, too. But will test a little first just to see what will happen. I thought that would look pretty with the yellow petals. We'll see.
Anyone else making soap today? It's a dreary overcast sprinkly kinda day here. Can't do much outside. So I'll stay in and make soap.
Thanks, Kay. I'll have to check and see if the lady in Dunlap has the castor oil when I call.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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Canadian farmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
482 Posts
Lori
Ontario
Canada
482 Posts |
Posted - Jan 17 2010 : 07:35:18 AM
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I made my batch of Raspberry marbled soap yesterday--get to uncover it in three hours! It went well, no fragrance lumping problems this time. My marbling is pink--I hope it looks pretty! My daughter helped me, as there's a lot happening at the end there, so I thought a second hand would be wise.
Kris, my book says that beetroot powder contains red and yellow pigments and will color soap an earthy squash yellow, a darker, muddier shade of what turmeric will produce. Anyone else out there used beetroot powder?
Got my email from Brian, so I'm off to try out the Henhouse!
Lori
Farmgirl Sister #183 |
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LakeOntarioFarmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
933 Posts
Brenda
North Rose
NY
USA
933 Posts |
Posted - Jan 17 2010 : 3:44:49 PM
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Baby carrots(jar) will give a nice, yellow color. It's pretty light, so if you want darker, you might want to use 2 jars- just substitute some of your water for the carrots....
I've been wanting to try beetroot powder!
Brenda
FarmGirl # 711
Nothing we achieve in this world is achieved alone. It is always achieved with others teaching us along the way. Lee J. Colan
http://theviewfromhere-brenda.blogspot.com/ |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Jan 17 2010 : 4:20:32 PM
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I don't know why it turned gray. But I sure am glad I caught it before I added the whole cup in the soap. I guess it pays to know how much to add to each batch. I am not a good measurer so I really am not sure what I'm doing.
Today I made some sweet orange. I made swirls using turmeric with some of the soap and just swirled away. It looks so pretty and smell great. Also made some geranium that I am in love with. It smells heavenly. And then some clarey sage-lemon grass. Yum. So I have made 6 different batches in 2 days. I can't wait to try my really hard soap base I made last week. I need to make more base this week.
Thanks for the help. I need to go to the library this week and get me some books. I just thought that beet root powder would make the prettiest pink soap ever. Guess I was wrong. That's why it pays to read up on all this.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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therusticcottage
True Blue Farmgirl
4439 Posts
Kay
Vancouver
WA
USA
4439 Posts |
Posted - Jan 19 2010 : 01:18:57 AM
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Kris - I had the same thing happen to me when I tried to color some soap lavender. It was the most horrid shade of gray!! Sometimes the color will change after it cures. So do a small test batch to see what happens. Love sweet orange. I don't color my calendula soap. I just add calendula petals - they are about the only flower that will hold it's color in cp soap. Lavender buds turn brown and look little mice have been in the soap!
I shared a recipe in the Sassy Soap Hen House for soap using coconut cream - it's like coconut milk. I have more that I'll be sharing. I have LOTS on my computer.
Handmade Soap, Lotion Bars & More! http://therusticcottage.etsy.com
The Rustic Cottage Blog http://therusticcottage.blogspot.com
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Jan 28 2010 : 06:15:03 AM
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Has anyone been making soap lately? It's kinda quite here. I am going to make several batches today. I picked up 3 books from the library and have gotten lots of good ideas for more soap. I am making bread this morning then have to go pick up Truckin' Man then go get some hay. So it'll be this afternoon when I get around to it.
So what have ya'll been up to?
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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Canadian farmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
482 Posts
Lori
Ontario
Canada
482 Posts |
Posted - Jan 28 2010 : 09:21:31 AM
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I just sent a surprise parcel to a friend, with three different bars of my soaps for her to try! I have been making pretty labels on the computer for all my soaps.
I am planning to make some more soap next weekend (my Saturday off) and would like to try a batch with castor oil. I am expecting some more books to come in today from the library.
I have tried using the Honey & Almond soap that I showed pics of previously. Despite the spots, it's a lovely soap, and very hard, with the cocoa butter in it. And the spots mellow out once you start washing with it.
Lori
Farmgirl Sister #183 |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Jan 31 2010 : 09:57:52 AM
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Have any of you soap makers ever used apple cider as the liquid in soap? I was looking on the Soap Forum and someone used it. I am making soap today and found a fragrance oil called Cinnamon Clovebud. I am going to try a 1 pound batch just to see. It sounds so good anyway.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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quiltin mama
True Blue Farmgirl
436 Posts
Heather
Crescent City
CA
USA
436 Posts |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Feb 01 2010 : 1:31:37 PM
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Heather, mine is ready to take out of the mold and cut later today. It smells so good! I may have to make some more. It sure did froth up alot more than with goat milk. It was almost like a whipped consistancy. Let me know how yours turns out. Can you post pictures? I can't seem to figure it out. I'd love to see yours.
I went today and got lots of different oils. I went to Walgreens first and got 4 oz. of castor oil for almost $5. Then went to a very expensive health food type store and got a 32 oz. bottle for $11. Anyway, I am ready to try a whole lot of different soaps this week. It's so fun!
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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quiltin mama
True Blue Farmgirl
436 Posts
Heather
Crescent City
CA
USA
436 Posts |
Posted - Feb 02 2010 : 1:51:43 PM
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Mine didn't get frothy but it traced SUPER quickly!!
I'm making another batch today but I'm using goats milk on this one. Soapmaking is certainly addicting!
Pictures and this forum don't get along for me either! I post pictures on my blog though when I do it. The ones from today will be up sometime this week.
my blog www.mountainhomequilts.blogspot.com
handmade quilts on etsy www.mountainhomequilts.etsy.com |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Feb 02 2010 : 2:21:45 PM
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Heather, I am doing the hand milled soaps. That's the way I was taught and I haven't tried any other way yet. I want to but can't seem to do it. I will one day, though.
Today I made wheat germ and honey, almond meal, chamomileand ginger and vitamin E and aloe. I still have enough base to make a few more batches. I want to make an avacado tomorrow and an odor eating soap with ground coffee and powdered benzoin. Then I need to get more olive oil so I can start more base.
I can't wait to see pictures of your soap. I use goats milk but today I used rain water from my rain barrel.
Have fun!
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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quiltin mama
True Blue Farmgirl
436 Posts
Heather
Crescent City
CA
USA
436 Posts |
Posted - Feb 05 2010 : 08:12:31 AM
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Kris,
You'll have to tell me more about your method. I haven't heard of it. I've heard of melt and pour soaps and cold process (which is what I do.)
I posted pictures on my blog of the soap. Next time I'll have to take pictures of the method so people can see how easy it is!
my blog www.mountainhomequilts.blogspot.com
handmade quilts on etsy www.mountainhomequilts.etsy.com |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Feb 05 2010 : 9:22:39 PM
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Your soap is so pretty. What kind of mold is that? I just cut all the soap I made the other day up. I have made about 240 bars so far.
And the hand milled or French Milled soap is just basically a base soap that has no scents or herbs added to it. It's cured for at least 2 weeks then grated or cut up real fine and remelted. That's when I add goat milk and the EO and any flowers or herbs. Then cut and cured for a few months to harden. I am going to try making a castille soap next.
And what did I get liquid glycerine for yesterday? I know I saw a recipe somewhere for liquid soap that called for it. But now I can't seem to find it. Does anyone know what it's used for?
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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quiltin mama
True Blue Farmgirl
436 Posts
Heather
Crescent City
CA
USA
436 Posts |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Feb 06 2010 : 06:34:38 AM
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Hey Heather. It's made just like normal with the lye and water and oils. I just let it cure after cutting for 2 weeks then the lye is gone. Then just grate or chop it up and melt it with goat milk or whatever and when it's melted I add the Eo's and flowers or whatever I'm adding. Then mold it and leave it for at least 24 hours, unmold and cut. Then depending on what kind I've made, it cures for a few months. I've been using some of the first soaps I made and they are so lathery. The wash cloth is full of suds and lasts a while.
I have been to that site before. Do you get your Eo and FO from there?
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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sherrye
True Blue Farmgirl
3775 Posts
sherry
bend in the high desert
oregon
USA
3775 Posts |
Posted - Feb 06 2010 : 07:38:35 AM
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goodmorning all. i have not read the whole post yet. wondering what kris is using for your base? are you making the base from lye and oils? are you buying a base? sherrye will go back and read the pages
the learn as we go silk purse farm
farmgirl #1014
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Feb 06 2010 : 09:59:17 AM
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Sherry, I just use veg. oils and sometimes lard, olive oil, coconut and palm. Melt all the oils and mix with the lye-water at the same temps. Just like a normal soap. I just don't add any Eo or milk. I wait til it's cured for a few weeks. Then that's the base for my hand milled soap. There are places where you can buy bases, too. Just how I was taught and I am too new at it to venture from this way.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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lotzfarm
Farmgirl at Heart
2 Posts
Teresa
Sequim
Washington
USA
2 Posts |
Posted - Feb 06 2010 : 3:22:01 PM
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I've been making soap for 15 years. Best book for beginners is Sandy Maine's book, The Soap Book" , she has the Sun Feather Soap Company-- a great source of dyes and scents. With her recipe, it makes 7 lbs (40 bars). I use a Rubbermaid plastic container with a lid. Grease with Pam spray and it's pop out with ease, cut into bars. Another time saver is to ice down the lye water, use a Rubbermaid juice container for the lye water, surround by ice in a soup kettle (in a sink) and you'll cut your time from 4 hours to 1 hour. Wooden spoons, trays will eventually be ruined by the lye. Plastic and stainless are best. Best tool to cut the soap? Cement / Grout trowels-- wide, strong and easy to handle. Have fun!
 Teresa
Farmgirl #994 |
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Cleaning Up: Soapmaking advice |
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Soapmaking advice
