Egzandra Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 Has anyone on here made their own soap, and if so, what do I need to get started? I would like to make liquid soap as well to save buying it for my downstairs loo. THanks a lot, Love from Egzandra Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SAB Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 Glad you posted this as I am keen to find out too! I think there was a posting a while back about soapmaking, but can't find it just now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 Savonista has her own soap making business (but might not want to share her trade secrets!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A chickychickychick-ENN!! Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 Isn't gracefruit an Omleteer? http://gracefruit.blogspot.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A chickychickychick-ENN!! Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 I've got a bath bomb recipe too. Might have come from here or another craft blog. Can't remember. Might be a nice easy way in to toiletry making. Easier than soap. 120g citric acid powder 350g bicarbonate soda 10ml sweet almond oil bun tin and papercases 1-sift the bicarb and citric acid into a big bowl 2-add the almond oil a few drops at a time, rub into mix with your fingers 3-put some paper cases into a bun/muffin tin, spoon mixture in and press down firmly then leave to set overnight 4-turn the fizzy bombs out onto a dry tea towel and carefully remove the paper cases, leave them to dry I think you can change the oil to change the smell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egzandra Posted February 18, 2009 Author Share Posted February 18, 2009 Thank you, chicky chickenn! That is a lovely link to gracefruit's blog, I will spend some time looking at it! I have also found ths site by searching the forum. http://www.selfsufficientish.com/index.php/categoryblog/98-how-do-you-make-homemade-soap-by-mel-rimmer This lady tells you the complicated way of mixing oil and sodium hydroxide (with gloves and goggles, scary) which I might try, but I was thinking of doing some melting of something or other and adding oils etc. first of all. Love from Egzandra Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 I use www.thesoapkitchen.co.uk for an SLS free base - and lots of other things as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egzandra Posted February 19, 2009 Author Share Posted February 19, 2009 Thank you for your replies. I will have a good look after work It does not look as if it would be cheaper to make our own soap, but interesting to have a go. Also save on packaging, maybe! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kazaddress Posted February 20, 2009 Share Posted February 20, 2009 hard soap or liquid soap? I buy hard soap base from summer naturals http://www.summernaturals.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=70&products_id=235 and i just melt it in the microwave in a mould and add essential oils and other bits and bobs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egzandra Posted February 20, 2009 Author Share Posted February 20, 2009 Thank you kazadress for that link, the summernaturals hard soap base looks good! All the best for the baby as well. Egzandra Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freddie Posted February 20, 2009 Share Posted February 20, 2009 The soap kitchen is local to me!! In Torrington; they're really nice and sell jewellry and bits as well!! Never tried making soap, prefer to cook edible things!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moggie Posted February 23, 2009 Share Posted February 23, 2009 As a newbie your best bet is probably to buy a soap making kit on ebay. It is so easy to make soap. I'm going to make some heart-shaped bath bombs with rose buds in for my mum for Mother's day. Probably will take 10 mins to make but will look amazing. I saw some in a shop for £20 once and I think the kit only cost me £5. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egzandra Posted February 23, 2009 Author Share Posted February 23, 2009 Hi, Moggie Thank you very much for that advice, I had forgotten about ebay. Instead of making a start on the ironing I have been browsing and have found one to bid on for about a fiver. I have also been having fun browsing this site: http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Auldhill-Soap-Company_W0QQcolZ4QQdirZ1QQfsubZQ2d33QQftidZ2QQtZkm I saw a nice wooden mould in there. I do like your little cat btw, so sweet. Egzandra Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stoice Posted February 23, 2009 Share Posted February 23, 2009 this section i found on soda crystals, bicarb and soap flakes looks fun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 I have a huge bar of glycerine (?) soap base. Do you think that it would be ok to mix oatmeal with rather than the soap flakes in that last link? And does anyone know if the glycerine soap with ever "go off"? We've always mixed it with soap colourings and various glitters & set the melted soap into Ikea ice cube trays & have hearts, crosses, stars etc which we wrap in cellophane (or clingfilm if nothing better to hand!) They make great little gifts for class mates...and no sweets or allergens in sight!! May have a go at the bathbombs for Easter pressies with a homemade soap and one of Poet's flannel mitts.....must get on with some housework first though ! Sha x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egzandra Posted February 28, 2009 Author Share Posted February 28, 2009 Hi, crafty people, a query about caustic soda. I bought some from a hardware shop today, but not sure whether it is the right stuff for soapmaking. It's called Kleen Off, and on the back it says "contains Sodium Hydroxide" I am not sure if that means it contains something else as well. Also on the label it says that it's extra strong - so a bit worried, because eventually the soap will be used for the family's faces etc. I have bought a lovely book on soap making by Melinda Coss, which gives good instructions. although I see it advises you to add the water to the caustic soda, which I think is wrong, isn't it the other way round? Otherwise, the book has some lovely recipes which I can't wait to try out. Thanks, from Egzandra Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunshinesupernova Posted April 16, 2009 Share Posted April 16, 2009 maybe just me - but whenever I've put dried flower petals or buds into soap, they turn brown and sludgy... I believe it's a common problem ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egzandra Posted April 20, 2009 Author Share Posted April 20, 2009 I have never tried adding petals to soap (have just started making it) but from what I have heard you are right, it's very common for them to turn brown. I don't think there is any way of avoiding this. Melinda Coss says you can infuse the oils with petals to give the oil a scent, but I just wonder how much of the scent is left. I put rosewater (already made, out of a bottle) into one batch of soap and it did not make any difference to the scent. I am quite pleased with what I have made so far though. Have you got any favourite recipes? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunshinesupernova Posted April 23, 2009 Share Posted April 23, 2009 I use Melt and Pour rather than cold process....... I use fragrance oils and a small amount of essential oils. In soap, you need a heck of a lot of essential oils to get a good strong fragrance. That's why I tend to use cosmetic grade fragrance oils instead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gracefruit Posted May 4, 2009 Share Posted May 4, 2009 How did I miss this thread!? Sunshine, you can use calendula (marigold) petals in your soap and they won't turn brown. Just make sure they're well-dried so you don't get any mould growth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunshinesupernova Posted May 4, 2009 Share Posted May 4, 2009 thanks for that.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
