Okay ... I am wanting to start making my own soap, so I got "Soapmakers Companion" from the library. It seems awfully daunting with the Lye and all that ... is it really simple or is it really complicated? I thought I would ask since you girls are "in the know" ... thanks in advance!
"You may go down to the garden."...(Peter Rabbit's mother) Beatrix Potter
I took a class at the local herb lady a few years back and it was SIMPLE. I will give you my "recipe" but will have to wait until later as I am at work and the recipe is at home. Lye, vegetable shortening and water..............bam. Simple. Then I also put in seasonings such as paprika for color and essential oils for a little bit of scent.
If you'd like me to give you my recipe let me know and when I go home tonight will look it up and send along here. Georgette
"We need the tonic of wildness, to wade sometimes in marshes where the bittern and the meadow-hen lurk..." Thoreau
Boy I know how you feel, I TERRIFIED of making soap because there were so many warnings about the lye. I have been making soap about 6 years now and still put on glasses to avoid splashes of lye water but don't wear gloves as I keep vinegar handy to wash with and neutralize the lye during the process and rinse everything with the vinegar before I wash it.
Don't be intimidated. go for it!
Last word of warning...once you start making soap you'll be addicted! KarenP
There are some wonderful books on soapmaking go to a search engine and look up the publisher Storey Books. You will find great coutry books on that site! I started by buying rebatch soap kits which are plentiful on Ebay and you can embelish by adding your own herbs, oats etc.
Michele, I mainly use Olive Oil and Coconut Oil for my soap. I do use beef tallow once in awhile too. a good place for Vegetable oil recipes is Millers http://millersoap.com/soapallveg.html Did you sell your loom yet? KarenP
How to make soap???
Posted - May 19 2006 : 07:51:17 AM
... thanks in advance! 
