Earlier today, my daughter and I made cold process soap. It’s the first time she’s played an active role in the soapmaking process, and I had a blast talking about the process. We only made three pounds of soap. I decided to keep this batch small while I experimented with a new recipe.
The lye mixture was measured and carefully added to the distilled water. Here in the USA, In order to purchase Lye, you have to sign a disclaimer that states you won’t be using the caustic substance in an illegal manner. Nothing illegal going on here, I’m just making soap. Did you know that there’s a food grad lye available? It’s used in a variety of foods…including some pretzels.
Since I couldn’t find my rubber apron, I settled for an big/bulky sweatshirt. I donned my ventilator and goggles, and I started making soap! It’s important to remember that you always add lye to your water. You don’t want a possible explosion.
Well, it looks like I have a fur helper, Hi Bentley! He seemed displeased that he couldn’t be around while I was working with the raw soap.
I’ll be making another batch next weekend. That batch will be my exfoliating bar soaps, and so I’ll be adding a mix of salt crystals and some herbs from the garden.
A neighbor dropped by when the soapmaking was completed and commented on how nice my dessert smelled. Perhaps he followed his nose to the lovely smells that were coming from our home? He asked what I was making, I laughed and told him I had just got finished making a small batch soap. He could hardly contain his excitement.
I imagine he was hoping I’d gift him with a few bars of homemade soap? His family has raved about how moisturizing the large batch of homemade soap I gifted them with before was. They didn’t want to use the traditional store bought soap after that. I’d made about 30 pounds and gave them a few pounds. I did promise him a few bars so they can try out my new blend. It’s always nice to have eager testers when I’m working on a new recipe. 😉 I’m thinking I might give a few bars away on Celebrate Life too. I use my soap a few days after making it, but when giving to others I always wait 4-6 weeks.
Next on my ‘to do’ list, is soap molds. Next weekend, I’ll be making several non-stick wooden soap molds.
Gee!!! You know how to do everything. Ya…I’ve heard of the commercially-made soaps with all the perfumes, chemicals and all…not good for human use and also harmful to the environment. Unfortunately, I wouldn’t know how to make my own. 🙁
suituapui recently posted..Love is all around…
Hi @suituapui, It’s really quite simple, if you have about an hour you can make soap. I’ll have to link to a video tutorial in a later post.
Aynaria recently posted..My sodium hydroxide is here, and honeybees are coming this spring….
I’ll have to ready about lye. It’s interesting you have to be so careful with its raw form (?) but after the soap is done you can put it on your skin…
Beth Ellen Nagle recently posted..Beloved Chickadee
@Beth Ellen Nagle, It’s quite fascinating. This soap is still not ready. Although I could still use the soap, I’ll wait a few more weeks so it can dry out more.
Aynaria recently posted..Folded like a deck of cards…
Mr. Bentley is STYLING in his mask! 🙂
Jennifer recently posted..Food Fight Grocery, Weight Loss, What I’ve Been Up To Lately!
@Jennifer, He is looking very cute. 🙂
Aynaria recently posted..Playing the field…
Q – Reminds me of my years working as a chemist! How much fun. 😎
curls and q recently posted..Visit Complete