Making homemade soap

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by SlySkyS on October 7, 2009 at 6:06am

Hi...

I think you'll enjoy this page ;)~

http://www.teachsoap.com/

Have fun...

Sly

Permalink Reply by Jennifer Surdam on October 8, 2009 at 1:55am

Awesome! I'll have to look more at it when I have more time, but it looks like a GREAT site! Thanks so much!
Hugs and BB,
Jen :)

Permalink Reply by Ravenwyles on October 10, 2009 at 6:49pm

Hello Jen,

If you're interested in the old fashioned way, believe it or not, you can make soap with Crisco and Red Devil Lye. Doing it this way requires caution because lye is quite dangerous and can burn you. Here is a pretty well written how-to:

http://www.millersoap.com/USAToday/SoapArtUSAToday.html

I made some, and it worked fine. It doesn't lather they way most store-bought soaps do. Also, I found that these soaps last longer. They don't break down as easily as store soap.

Good luck
Ravenwyles

Permalink Reply by Jennifer Surdam on October 10, 2009 at 11:07pm

Thanks, Ravenwyles! That was a very interesting article. I can't wait to try it. I do have some olive oil soaps I bought that are all-natural, and they don't lather, either. I really don't care so much about lather, just getting clean, and just making them all-natural, and with products that aren't irritating to my skin. I can only use one brand of store-bought soaps from a grocery, and I'm really trying to be more environmentally-friendly as well. There's a number of reasons why I want to do this, partly to save money as well, honestly! :) You've given me some great tips in the article, so I really appreciate it! Between that and the site above it, I can't wait to get started on some cool recipes of my own... not sure what to do about my pesky cats, tho? :P

Hugs and BB,
Jen :)

Permalink Reply by Rev. SilentOwl on October 26, 2009 at 1:54am

The lathering in modern soap as from a store is a Laurel Sulfate and if you have any tendencies to be allergic to sulfa or that family, you will have troubles with those soaps. In fact I learned from my Doctor that Sulfates are subject to causing cancer and its not something the manufacturers want you to know. I primarily use non-sulfate soaps and washing detergents, for that reason. IF its not safe for my skin I wouldn't use it, eh and there are green products that are much safer for all.
just a note for ya
RuthAnna

Permalink Reply by Jennifer Surdam on October 28, 2009 at 8:01pm

Hey Rev. RuthAnna,
Always good to know those things--I think I read about the sulfates, but I don't remember for sure. I definitely worry about carcinogens, but I also worry about being environmentally friendly, too! I have sensitive skin, so I'm sure the laurel sulfate is the culprit. :P

Hugs and BB,
jen :)

Permalink Reply by Jennifer Surdam on November 4, 2009 at 5:54pm

I've heard that they sell some soap-making kits there, so it's definitely possible that you might have seen those. I'll have to go see what I can find. Some friends of mine have made soaps, and they told me they got their kits at Michael's, and that they just followed the directions from the kits! :)

Permalink Reply by Rev. Jeanene Hammers on December 22, 2009 at 1:54pm

You are correct. Micheals, Joanns and Craft Warehouse all have kits and supplies.

If you use the glycerine soap base, be aware that the soap disolves very quickly in water. What that means is, if you leave the soap bar in the shower, it will melt away quickly.

One solution is to take 100% cotton yarn and knit/crochet a soap sock for your soap bars. You keep the soap inside the soap sock, lathering up both. The bag also serves as a lufta.

Here's an example: http://www.flickr.com/photos/21275412@N02/2714049123/

Permalink Reply by Jennifer Surdam on December 22, 2009 at 3:09pm

Awesome! Thanks so much, Rev. Jeanene!
Hugs and Happy Holidays, BB,
Jen :)