Ever inadvertently create a shampoo bar?

[Mockingbird Ramble]

Went backpacking for 5 days in the Norse Peak Wilderness and took a bar of my botched pine tar soap. On day 3 after campfire smoke, sweat and pine needles my hair was really bad, thank goodness a hotspring and river at least let me lather.

Anyway I have never used a shampoo bar sucessfully but my pine tar bar was awesome. Still using it after I returned to civilization.

So anyone else ever made a shampoo bar not meaning to?

 

[Ruthie]

Ten years ago (when I started soapmaking) I was told that shampoo bars had to be all vegetable oils. After asking here if that was true I had one of those "duh" moments and tried one of my regular bars with AO. It worked as well as the "shampoo" one I had formulated. So, yes, I guess I have.

I really want to try a pine tar soap. Guess I need to go to the feed store and get some.

 

[Mockingbird Ramble]

I love the pine tar, it is my standard must have on hand. My last batch is ugly as sin but I only gift and use them for myself. Bickmore brand is what I use.

 

[ewenique]

My husband uses whatever bar of my homemade soap is in the shower to wash his hair, and it works great for him. After several years of this, his normally coarse hair is soft and silky to touch.

 

[amanda_hughes]

Hearing about pine tar soap again, that's it.. This weekend I'm getting some. Any specific brand better than the other? And would theisens carry it?

 

[Mockingbird Ramble]

I borrowed mine from a friend but had to go and get more for my own horses.

Bickmore brand or Horse Health Products is what I have used.

I also used salted tea instead of lye. I use the thermal transfer method and it keeps stiff from seizing, knock on wood.

 

[DeeAnna]

Any product will work as long as its 100% pine tar. There is a hoof dressing that is a blend of PT and other ingredients -- you don't want that.

And I second what Mockingbird Ramble said -- soap cool. My fats and my lye solution were in the low 70s (deg F, that is). Mix your pine tar and any fragrance into the oils first, so you get everything mixed up really before the fun begins. After mixing the fats and lye, don't stick blend -- hand stir only.

Good luck! I like making pine tar soap.

 

[Mockingbird Ramble]

Any feed store should have them, a tractor supply, coastal, co-op.

 

[DeeAnna]

I'd sure try Thiesens, Amanda -- they're a good bet. Also Blairs Farm Fleet if you're in north CR -- think there's one on Collins Road, maybe? (Been awhile since I've shopped in CR!) I found mine at Tractor Supply (TSC) in the equine section. About $11 or $12 for 16 fluid oz.

 

[amanda_hughes]

I'd sure try Thiesens, Amanda -- they're a good bet. Also Blairs Farm Fleet if you're in north CR -- think there's one on Collins Road, maybe? (Been awhile since I've shopped in CR!) I found mine at Tractor Supply (TSC) in the equine section. About $11 or $12 for 16 fluid oz.

Thanks! I frequent Theisens but never the equine section. I'm gonna check it out next time I'm there- this Friday!

 

[DeeAnna]

I put up hay today, so a shower this evening was a necessity to wash off all the dust, sweat, and chaff. I had an 8-week-old bar of my pine tar soap in the shower, so I decided to use it to see how it lathered. To be honest, I had avoided using it until tonight, because I didn't care for the burnt rubber tang from the pine tar. What I found when I lathered up is the scent has really mellowed over 2 months into something I can really live with. That was surprise #1.

I also used the same soap on my hair just to see if this soap worked as a shampoo as well as yours did on your camping trip. I was impressed -- it might even be better than the shampoo bar recipe I've been making recently. My fine, wavy hair is unusually soft and silky tonight with nice body and no frizz. That was surprise #2!

Now I've got to try my other "regular" soaps as shampoo bars to see how they compare. And I find myself wondering ... could it be that pine tar is a "secret ingredient" for hair? Thanks for the idea!