Soap making

[chase_mommy]

Don't know if I am in the right place, so mods, move it if need be.

I am interested in soap making. I have done some reading on it but still a bit confused. I learn better by watching rather than reading. SO, it takes a bit for me to get it while reading. Can anyone point me in a good direction for a tutorial or anything? Any advice or pointers? Where do you get lye? Where should I start, good natural recipes, etc, etc... Any help will be greatly appreciated. TIA!!

[slsurface]

Making your own soap is easy and saves a lot of money! I started doing it because I have sensitive skin and couldn't afford to buy expensive olive oil soaps.

Here's a good place to start: http://candleandsoap.about.com/od/co...tecprecipe.htm

I've posted my recipe several places here at MDC, here is one link:
http://mothering.com/discussions/sho...=#post12335005

You may want to check in the Mindful Home Management area. There are a lot of discussions of soap making there.

[PJsmomma]

slsurface

Can you put things like oatmeal or herbs in this too? Yours is the 1st that makes me think maybe I can do this! I've wanted to make soap for years!

[JessicaS]

I make soap. It is a really fun hobby and great for those of us who have a lot of fragrance allergies.

http://www.millersoap.com/ is a good soapmaking website.

A book I find to be good for beginners is the Country Living Soap Making book. It has basic recipes, clear instructions and good pictures.

You can buy lye online at soapmaking websites. I like brambleberry.com

[JessicaS]

Originally Posted by PJsmomma

slsurface

Can you put things like oatmeal or herbs in this too? Yours is the 1st that makes me think maybe I can do this! I've wanted to make soap for years!

You can include oatmeal and herbs. Most herbs eventually turn brown in soap (except calendula stays a very pretty yellow) but they are still nice.

[PJsmomma]

Can this recipe be poured in a pan and cut in bars or just molded? I'm soooo gonna try making soap finally

[chichona]

An entire subforum dedicated to soap making and the like:
http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?board=352.0

My SIL makes soap for me becasue we have sensitive skin, she just uses a loaf pan to pour it into (cold process) she did try out a sylicone loaf pan, but it created a foamy look on the outside due to the 'pores' in the sylicone.

[PJsmomma]

SO!:
I tried it and it was soooo easy! It was easier than learning how to knit.
I'm so excited.


I unmolded it today and it's very soft--it held it's shape just fine--it's just that if I were to smoosh it it would be soft enough to ruin.

Does that sound right? How long will it take to harden?

I didn't know to cover it with a towel until reading yesterday so I didn't--does that make a huge difference?

I used this recipe, but only did 80% olive oil and 20% coconut oil because I had some of that in the fridge.

I used lavender oil and 1/4 c. ground oatmeal--mmmm! It smells and looks so good!

Tomorrow I'm trying jasmine/chamomile. I'm going to try to use up essential oils and stuff I have around the house before I go too crazy buying new stuff

[slowdown]

soap making article in KIWI

I read a really cute soap making article in the last KIWI Magazine. I tried it and it came out pretty good