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That's why I started making my own soap. I have asthma, and while not allergic to things like cigarette smoke or perfume (at least, not technically in the medical sense), I am extremely sensitive to fragrances and other things. We are in a "perfumed" world. Most people have candles, air...

This recipe was more of a way to use up some deer tallow, but it would be awesome with beef tallow or lard (just make sure to check it with a lye calculator, as the saponification amount is slightly different!) 25 ounces oil weight (2.4 pounds into the mold) 75% deer tallow- 18.75 ounces...

That's a great idea Susie! I diluted all of my paste, but that's a great idea for the next time. Just a wee tiny bit in a lip balm tube and you've got "instant soap" for shampoo, hands, body- "just in case". Sometimes the grandkids get dirty unexpectedly when we're out and about too, and that...

We just visited friends this past weekend, and I didn't take any soap, just using theirs while we were there. I've given them soap in the past, and they like it, and I brought more as a gift. Anyway, today on our way home, Bob asked if I used the soap in their shower. I said I had. He told...

In Michigan (and most other states), it is illegal to sell unpasteurized (ie "raw") milk. In order to receive such milk, you have to own the goat or cow. The work around is a "share". You pay a small fee, and then own part of the herd. As a result, you can get milk weekly for a fee- here it...

That sounds really interesting! I'll be waiting for an update on how it came out. I have sheets of nori that I know I will never use, and this sounds like a great way to use it and make a great product.

It seems like several people comment on the 10% castor oil with the 90% coconut. I think I'll try 80% coconut, 10% castor and 10% shea(?) or olive oil. I have to check my supplies of shea butter. And 50% salt again (that seems great), and 20% SF. I think using beer as the liquid would...

You can make embeds out of any soap you like, and when to cut depends on the recipe and shape. For example, I saw the greatest idea here: http://www.soap-making-essentials.com/soap-curls.html#.VcifwPlViko That requires the soap to be pretty soft. You could use little embeds out of molded...

I just used my first salt bar. It was 80% CO, 20% OO, 50% salt, and 20% superfat. It's only a tad less than four weeks old, but I just had to try it! The first impression was awesome- Creamy rich bubbly later that felt like silk on my skin. I said to myself immediately, "Oh, I have to...

Best use of zucchini ever: Zucchini "crab" cakes http://allrecipes.com/recipe/connies-zucchini-crab-cakes/ I am sugar free, and usually wheat free, so I don't eat or make baked goods as a rule. These "crab cakes" are really great! (I use rice flour instead of wheat flour, and crushed...

I am a brewer, and a stout beer soap was one of my favorites. I did a little cinnamon EO and orange EO (more of that), and it turned out very nice. I don't use fragrance oils or heavily scented things, though. Asthma means fragrances, especially "fake" ones or heavy ones can cause a very...

I was unhappy with the thinness of my LS batches, and started using some sodium hydroxide (NaOH) in addition to the KOH. I used 95% KOH, and 5% NaOH, and it really was more pleasing to me. I think that is something I'll continue. The last batch was 66.67% OO, 16.67% deer tallow, and 16.65%...

I built my screen porch last summer, and I'm so glad I did! It's been 90 degrees here the last few days, so we hauled bed matresses out there and made a "sleeping porch"! My screens are just the "rolled" screens, but a heavy duty one. It will be easy to replace when they tear. My sides are...

I save them, then melt them down with a little water to make a few new bars. I do it in the crockpot, then when full melted, I add some coconut milk and essential oil, and put them in a mold. Some of my favorites have been done this way!

I wanted to use the coconut milk, but I am completely out today so I just used water. It took a long time to trace, weirdly enough. Maybe it's because it's hot (for my area, anyway!) and humid today and that's not common so I've never dealt with humidity and warm weather when soaping.

Haha- you're not the first guy to come over from HBT. Lbussey is here, as well, and a few others who I can't recall right now. Today, I'm doing all those spousely duties- kegging 10 gallons of IPA, making soap, pickling beets, and maybe kegging up some everyday chokecherry wine. And...

I'm doing 80% CO and 20% OO today (20% superfat), with 50% salt. I would use shea butter, if I had some as I think it feels more luxurious.

I brought some "fine" sea salt from my cottage to try in today's batch of salt soap. I am thinking: 80% CO 20% OO 50% salt 20% superfat I assume I'll have to cut in a few hours?

I gel almost all of my soaps (except for milk soaps I want white and not beige/tan).

I have a bastille baby soap (about 85% olive oil) that is great at 2 years old. I did use it before that, and found it pretty nice at 6-8 months, but awesome at 1.5 years old. Super mild, and hard and firm in the tub with no "snotty" texture at all. When it was newer, it did have a bit of...