Homemade shortening soap - worth it? - Page 2

[Abarat]

Originally Posted by quietserena

It looks like this is going to be one really complicated project... I can't find lye locally anywhere. Thank you meth makers! :

After a couple years I finally found some lye locally at a mom and pop hardware store. Of course I buy mine online since I tend to buy 10lbs lye and potash at the same time.

Also, maybe you could list on something like craigslist to see if there's some biodiesel makers in the area that might be able to help you find some or buy some off them. I can't remember if they use sodium hydroxide (for making bar soaps) or potassium hydroxide (for making liquid soap).

[quietserena]

That's a very cool tip! TY momma!

I'd probably want the NaOH - like my soap in bars.

[neetling]

subbing

[Nemesis]

Lowe's carries lye, nationwide. So does Menard's, but I think that's mostly a midwestern store.

[CParker]

I get my olive oil at Costco for $22-24 per gallon. If you like castile soap this is all you need!

I have found 1 lb. bottles of lye at Ace Hardware and Lowe's, both in the plumbing section.

[zajanatural]

Originally Posted by kriket

yep, you just about have to get it online. You can't even find the lye in a can in the grocery anymore. stupid druggies.

You can find lye at Lowes in the plumbing section. under the name Roebuck I believe.

You can also try a basic 3 oil recipe using equal parts of Olive, Crisco and Coconut Oil. Still pretty inexpensive and will give you a decent bar of soap. Adding oils at trace really does not mean that there will be more unused oils at the end of the process. The lye in your recipe does not discriminate. Use soapcalc and set your superfat to 5% or higher (whatever your choice) and you will have a balanced bar.