Wannabe soapmaker needs advice!

[familyblackout]

I really, really want to learn to make soap, but frankly, all the websites I come across about making it befuddle me!!

So, give me advice- where do I start? What to buy? Preferred books?
What is the breakdown of cost?
I like to use Ivory soap for general household cleaning- laundry, dishes, etc. Can I make an all-purpose kind of soap cheaper?

Thank you all so much for your time!!
:

[jerri]

http://www.maplesprings.com/makesoap/gstore.html
I don't know about cost or comparing what you already use, but this site made it look simple enough for me to try. Turned out great for us.

[nerdymom]

If you check out the natural body care forum (here:http://www.mothering.com/discussions...splay.php?f=11) there is a sticky at the top of the page with recipes for all kinds of soaps, and lots of info. HTH!

[velcromom]

I learned a lot at millersoap.com. I started with Anne Bramson's book Soap but beware it tells you to mix the water into the lye and that's backwards, you should always mix the lye into the container after you have put in the water.

[JamieCatheryn]

Here is what I use:
postage or kitchen scale accurate to 1/10 oz ($15-$30)
pitcher exclusively for lye/water ($2)
stainless steel stockpot ($10)
hand blender ($5)
Candy thermometer ($6)
Lye ($10/2lbs)
Olive oil ($8 per a 28floz bottle)
Coconut oil, hempseed oil, castor oil
Essential oils
Wooden molds
Trashbag for lining molds
Pastry cutter ($3)

You might have some of this already, but in all you could get started from scratch for $65 if you do it my way. Olive oil only makes a good first batch.

Recipe calculator: http://www.soapcalc.net/calc/soapcalcWP.asp

I weight the oils for my recipe on he scale, melt them together over low heat in the stockpot. I measure the water into the pitcher and set it in and icewater bath in the sink. I get protective gloves on and open the window, and weigh the lye and stir it into the water. Then I get the molds ready. Wait 15 minutes for thing to cool down, oils and lye should be 105-110F.Get gloves back on. Then I add the lye/water to the oils and run the hand blender in it for several minutes til it thickens and looks like pudding. Add any essential oils I'm using. Then pour into molds, cover, and let it sit overnight. Wearing gloves I cut it up the next day into bars with the pastry cutter, then put it away for 2-4 weeks to cure.

[greenmagick]

There are a lot of good sites and books out there. I havent made any in over 4 years so I dont have the best sites now However, for me, I loved making hot process vs cold process soap. Basically, you cook all your ingredients together in a crock pot after you reach trace. Then, as soon as its cool, its ready to use. I personally hating curing it and working with the caustic soap.

[tankgirl136]

Originally Posted by greenmagick

There are a lot of good sites and books out there. I havent made any in over 4 years so I dont have the best sites now However, for me, I loved making hot process vs cold process soap. Basically, you cook all your ingredients together in a crock pot after you reach trace. Then, as soon as its cool, its ready to use. I personally hating curing it and working with the caustic soap.

I agree I love hot process!! But I actually do mine in the stockpot, in the oven, I find it a very easy and fun way to make soap.