I’ve let go of liquid soaps in the last few years and opted to used classic solid soaps for my hygiene but between trendy scents or seasonal supply I haven’t been able to find a soap I can stay with.
This led me to consider making my own soap but is it worth it?
Artisanal soaps are expensive and hard to find in my country and mostly pass the notion they are targetting luxury customers and not making something for everyone to use and enjoy and trying to make an effort to create change.
I am aware initial costs have to be considered and that there is a learning to it.
Totally. Once a year I make a huge batch with all the things I like and none of what I hate. I give out a bunch for Christmas and have enough to last me the rest of the year.
Occasionally I’ll dig out my supplies mid-year for something special or to make soap with friends, then I just have extra.
It was easy to learn and the costs were worth it.
During the pandemic, my wife took up soap making.
Took her about two months to finally create the recipe she wanted to use. The good ones, we give out as gifts.
All the rejects are still good. It’s now three years and we’re still going through all the bars she made.
That’s good to know.
My ex used to make our laundry soap. It was lot of work but cool. Got a recipe to share?
I alternate between different ones every year. I just tried to find my favorite olive oil soap recipe but I’m only getting AI slop results. Silly me for not bookmarking. The best one I found was basic cold process recipe that only uses olive oil, lye and water. If you’re searching, the one I like recommends using a milk carton for the mould and letting the soap sit for a week before slicing, then letting it cure for 60 days. The ratio of ingredients should all be the same across good recipes. I don’t trust the slop.
Otherwise I used meltable glycerine soap base I used to get from a place called The Soap Dispensery in Vancouver. Doesn’t seem like they sell it since I moved, so I can’t tell you what was in it. To the melted glycerine I would add jojoba oil, shea butter, vitamin E, tea tree oil, charcoal and cedar essential oil. I like woodsy, herbal scents.
Sometimes, if I plan ahead, I’ll dehydrate lemon and lime rinds into crumbly bits to add for texture and exfoliation. Other times I use coffee grounds.
Another time my niece mixed in vanilla, mandarin and rosemary for the scents, it was a hit with everyone. Smelled like a healthy orange cream pop.