Mrs Frugal Posted July 5, 2006 Share Posted July 5, 2006 I've been desperate to make my own soap for years but have always been put off by the dangerous chemicals you need to use to make it and the fact that you need to wear safety gear and goggles ! Too scary for me, thank you...... .....but then I discovered "melt and pour soap". That is literally what you do. Measure out as much of the soap base as you need, melt it in a saucepan or microwave, add colour, fragrance, flower petals, herbs, glitter, whatever you like, pour it into a mould and let it set. In a few hours, you can unmould it and use it, unlike making soap the conventional way with caustic soda and lard where you have to leave it to cure for a couple of weeks before using it! The soap base I bought is SLS and SLES free so I'm happy to use it myself and for my family. So far I've made four lots of soap. Colour has been introduced with food colouring so I know it's not dangerous and fragrance with essential oils. I bought a set of plain rectangular moulds but prefer the soap made in washed out milk or juice cartons and large margarine tubs as these can be sliced to whatever size you like. Left to right, deep purple violet scented soap, marbled orange grapefruit and sweet orange soap, pale green lily of the valley soap and bright blue lavender soap. If you've wanted to make your own soap but have been put off by the risks of chemical burns, give this a go! I bought the melt and pour soap from a company called The Soap Kitchen and delivery was incredibly quick and I've been making soap ever since!! They also do bases for shampoo, shower gels, cleansers etc. Totally fab!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen & co. Posted July 5, 2006 Share Posted July 5, 2006 WOW! the last time I saw anyone make soap was at school in chemistry and it exploded all over the classroom That looks so impressive, and would make lovely gifts karen x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted July 5, 2006 Author Share Posted July 5, 2006 and it doesn't explode either ! Definitely a good present idea as you can make them to suit the person you want to give them to! So easy!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted July 5, 2006 Share Posted July 5, 2006 Wow! The soaps look really cool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted July 5, 2006 Author Share Posted July 5, 2006 Thank you Martin. The orange ones are for the boys! Not too flowery !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted July 5, 2006 Share Posted July 5, 2006 Some of the flowery lush stuff is for lads. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheilaz Posted July 5, 2006 Share Posted July 5, 2006 That's fun, Kate! PS. Eyes went straight to the lovely tea towel! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted July 5, 2006 Share Posted July 5, 2006 WOW! I love the soap what a fab idea Do you have a large family, they could have a bar each, imagine all the bubbles! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted July 5, 2006 Author Share Posted July 5, 2006 Wish I did have a large family, Emma! That would give me an excuse to make more ! Eyes went straight to the lovely tea towel! They're all like that Sheila - apart from the ones with pigs on . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley-Jean Posted July 5, 2006 Share Posted July 5, 2006 That looks fantastic Kate Perhaps noeglu could make some in the shape of hens to help her to raise funds I love the chooky tea towel too Kate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hellcat Posted July 5, 2006 Share Posted July 5, 2006 Now THAT is a good idea, LJ! noeglu, make a chicken shaped mould and away you go! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hellcat Posted July 5, 2006 Share Posted July 5, 2006 Kate, you may have saved my life!! Its Laurens 7th birthday next month and of course its party time. She wants - 8 friends for a cinema and pizza visit!! (She thinks I get money from the sock drawer!) No way, says mum. You can have a party at home like a normal 7 year old. Pout, sulk, its not fair. Ah, says mum, but you can have a CRAFT party! Oh, yes, says daughter yippee!! Off she skips, leaving me drumming my fingers on the desk. What to do, what to do? SO, how long does this soap take to set? I see 12 little girls making lovely bars for their party bags... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fourfinches Posted July 5, 2006 Share Posted July 5, 2006 Helen, You could get them to make pizzas too. Have a selection of toppings ready prepared in bowls (grated cheese, mushrooms, tomato, pepper,tuna etc), small individual bases with tomato topping and let them 'design' their own pizza. Morag Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted July 5, 2006 Share Posted July 5, 2006 Good idea, they can make their own dinner! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted July 5, 2006 Author Share Posted July 5, 2006 SO, how long does this soap take to set? I see 12 little girls making lovely bars for their party bags... Pop it in the fridge in its mould and it will take a couple of hours at the most! If the moulds are small enough, it won't take long at all. You can pour the mixture onto a baking sheet, let it set then cut out shapes with cookie cutters too!! There are so many things you can do with it! Have a look at the Soap Kitchen link I posted earlier for ideas. The world is your lobster ! So long as the little girls are careful with the hot melted soap, it's not particularly dangerous. You can melt enough for 4 bars in a jug in the microwave easily (apparently - I don't have one anymore so can't test that!!) so that would keep them away from the stove. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bunee1 Posted July 5, 2006 Share Posted July 5, 2006 Kate if you need any essential oils let me know , my boss is an aromatherapist we have loads in the shop.....lots of lovely soaps too hand made with our essential oils by a lovely lady in scotland. These are some of my fav's just to give you some ideas.. Patchouli and lime (has roibosch tea in it as an exfoliant) Rose and geranium Tea tree mint and patchouli Lavender and frankincense Calendula (good for sensitive skin) Citrus and ginger Lavendar oats and honey (oats for exfoliation and moisturizer) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted July 6, 2006 Share Posted July 6, 2006 Great - does your house smell like Lush Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted July 6, 2006 Author Share Posted July 6, 2006 Kate if you need any essential oils let me know , my boss is an aromatherapist we have loads in the shop.....lots of lovely soaps too hand made with our essential oils by a lovely lady in scotland. Oooh thank you! I might be in touch soon . The suggestions sound divine! I was going to make some lavender, honey and oat soap yesterday but made violet instead! It's definitely on my "to do" list!! The house doesn't quite smell like Lush yet, Sarah but they do moulds for bath bombs and bath melts etc plus all the ingredients and recipes so they are next on my list!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted July 6, 2006 Share Posted July 6, 2006 Oh! now look what you've done Just what I needed - another hobby I told you not to post it on here I've just realised that they are selling cornflower flowers - I'd better go and rescue my nearly dead flowers from the compost heap - to use with the soap I've just ordered School holidays coming up - a good hobby for any rainy days Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted July 6, 2006 Author Share Posted July 6, 2006 Oh dear Lesley! I am sorry . I read a really nice recipe for Lauren and Jake to try. Scroll down the page and there's a recipe for Jam Tart Soaps which I have got to try!!! Sounds so much fun! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted July 6, 2006 Share Posted July 6, 2006 Hannah - how much are the oils? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted July 6, 2006 Share Posted July 6, 2006 Helen, You could get them to make pizzas too. Have a selection of toppings ready prepared in bowls (grated cheese, mushrooms, tomato, pepper,tuna etc), small individual bases with tomato topping and let them 'design' their own pizza. Morag We did that for Rosie's 7th, they loved it. There's a company called Yellow Moon, who do craft stuff, and they all made greetings cards too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicola H Posted July 6, 2006 Share Posted July 6, 2006 Thanks for the link Kate i really fancy making my own soap but like you I was put off by the chemicals you normally have to use, this sounds like great fun just off to have a read and put my order in........... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted July 6, 2006 Author Share Posted July 6, 2006 There are lots of different melt and pour soaps. The SLS and SLES free one I bought makes glycerine type soaps - ones you can see through which look lovely but there are more opaque ones as well as organic ones which is great. All the ingredients for bath bombs etc are in the shop too - it's all just too wonderful!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicola H Posted July 6, 2006 Share Posted July 6, 2006 Stop it now Kate i already have 5 items in my basket and Emily loves bath bombs..................... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
