Soap Making 101

[Tractor girl]

I don't really have much to offer, but I wanted to say how much I appreciate the conversation, and all the information presented here. I love seeing the pictures of the mold. I have been considering learning to make soap, and reading all of this is my first step, so any and all information is a good thing for me. (I do have a great respect for the damage that can be done by mixing soap incorrectly, so I won't be trying anything until I've had a chance to read a lot more, and then will only try the simplest of recipes.) I appreciate the recipes, websites and books mentioned here, and have been taking notes, so you've given me a lot to start with.

 

[me&thegals]

I don't really have much to offer, but I wanted to say how much I appreciate the conversation, and all the information presented here. I love seeing the pictures of the mold. I have been considering learning to make soap, and reading all of this is my first step, so any and all information is a good thing for me. (I do have a great respect for the damage that can be done by mixing soap incorrectly, so I won't be trying anything until I've had a chance to read a lot more, and then will only try the simplest of recipes.) I appreciate the recipes, websites and books mentioned here, and have been taking notes, so you've given me a lot to start with.

I hope I haven't made you paranoid I found soapmaking a completely possible thing to self-teach through books and Internet. Definitely, lye should be respected, and it's my very strong opinion that a person shouldn't start selling until they have made many, many batches of soap and have been doing it long enough to know if "their" recipe doesn't go rancid after 4 months, for example.

But that's just my opinion Good luck!

And I also would love to know how much one of those lovely molds would cost!

 

[aggieterpkatie]

Ok, Dad said he'd be willing to make some to sell! He has to check some prices so he can figure out what to charge. What size would people be interested in? 3, 4, or 5 lb? Or bigger?

 

[savingdogs]

what is the size of yours?

 

[Farmfresh]

A nice mid-size like yours would be nice.

Be sure to figure out the weights and shipping before deciding on prices.

 

[aggieterpkatie]

Mine is a 4 lb mold.

Yes, I'll tell him to make sure of the shipping cost first!

 

[calendula]

OH I forgot..how long was the cure time on the Crisco recipe??? And where are good places to cure soap? I have kitchen cupboards but could make room in my closet it has a high long wide shelf, also have a laundry room with a closet full of shelves but it's half outside or rather open to the outside...does it mater after you unmold if it gets cold...really cold.?

I have an old dresser that I use to cure my soap in. Since they're in the drawers, they stay protected from dust and stray hairs and stuff. Works out pretty slick.

 

[Farmfresh]

Maybe he could offer them cut out and ready to assemble. This SS bunch would be OK with assembling our own, I am sure. That would make shipping cheaper with a smaller box.

 

[krisac]

I would love to know what the pricee on that mold is. I'm curious how do you all get your wax paper in any mold all nice and smooth? I either get it all munched up or it floats out and I'm never sure where the saop and paper will end up.
Kristina

 

[krisac]

Okay, I had to laugh, I know this is the soap section but I was looking up making lavender water/perfume spray. the recipe with vodka calls for it to be put in a sunny window for 18 days. I live in Oregon! I don't think We ever get 18 consistent sunny days