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sally_in_wales
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 06 Mar 2005
Posts: 20809
Location: sunny wales

Posted: Wed Mar 09, 05 7:01 am Post subject:
Just finished writing this very very basic overview of soap and its history as a hand out to go with talks and sales, thought it might be of interest here too

cab

Joined: 01 Nov 2004
Posts: 32429

Posted: Wed Mar 09, 05 10:00 am Post subject:
That's an excellent article Sally. May I send it on to a couple of friends of mine who are soapers?

sally_in_wales
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 06 Mar 2005
Posts: 20809
Location: sunny wales

Posted: Wed Mar 09, 05 3:00 pm Post subject:
Of course, they'll probably know all of that already though- its pretty basic as notes go, but feel free to circulate it. I've only got the dire copyright warnings on every page to help stop it showing up on those annoying automated sites that lift content here there and everywhere.

cab

Joined: 01 Nov 2004
Posts: 32429

Posted: Wed Mar 09, 05 4:03 pm Post subject:
Cheers Sally. You're right that there's nothing there most soapers won't know, but it's a nice read and I think a lot of soapers would like it.

Sarah D

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 2584

Posted: Wed Mar 09, 05 4:05 pm Post subject:
My first batch of soap is ready now, and I tried it out for the first time today. It works! Plenty of lather, and feels nice to use. Definitely keep this up.

sally_in_wales
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 06 Mar 2005
Posts: 20809
Location: sunny wales

Posted: Wed Mar 09, 05 5:44 pm Post subject:
First batch of anything is always very exciting- what base oils did you use?

Sarah D

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 2584

Posted: Wed Mar 09, 05 7:09 pm Post subject:
I made it from lard and caustic soda, used Melinda Coss's basic recipe. Just about to splash out on some essential oils for the next lot, though.

sally_in_wales
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 06 Mar 2005
Posts: 20809
Location: sunny wales

Posted: Wed Mar 09, 05 7:43 pm Post subject:
lard soap is a great household soap, some of my first soap was lard based, and Melinda is a very nice lady, so you won't go far wrong with her recipes. Lavender is a good EO for first attempts, its cheap and holds up well to use in both HP and CP soap. Half lard half olive is good too.

Marigold123

Joined: 06 Feb 2005
Posts: 224

Posted: Thu Mar 10, 05 12:42 am Post subject:
I can't wait to have a go and do a batch of soap. I'll have to have my kitchen clear first, though. I am terrible about leaving my washing up, but this should be a good motivator to get it done. Really enjoyed reading your article, BTW, Sally. Thanks.

alison
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 29 Oct 2004
Posts: 12918
Location: North Devon

Posted: Thu Mar 10, 05 9:13 pm Post subject:
Sally, I can't get it to load. Is there another link.

Bugs

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 10744

Posted: Thu Mar 10, 05 10:09 pm Post subject:
Where do people get their lard from? I know some of you (Alison?) are using/intending to use your own fat; but if you don't have access to this, do you just buy lard off the shelf, or do you apply the same criteria to it as for example, if you were buying clothes or meat. Lard being a waste product, does it really matter? I was disinclined towards lard...but then, my shoes are leather

alison
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 29 Oct 2004
Posts: 12918
Location: North Devon

Posted: Thu Mar 10, 05 11:00 pm Post subject:
When I don't have my own it is off the shelf, or ask a friend, who does the farmers markets. Maybe a local farmers market stall could get you some. It is often a waste product for them.

cab

Joined: 01 Nov 2004
Posts: 32429

Posted: Fri Mar 11, 05 10:20 am Post subject:

Bugs, I don't tend to use lard, but I've made soap with goose fat a couple of times. That's some of the spare fat from our Christmas goose; obviously it's got a different saponification value to lard and gives a rather different soap, but it's a nice soap. Ultimately, if you can find the saponification value for an oil you can have a bash at making a soap with it, and any animal fat you can get clean enough ought to do.

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