Lard soap questions

[Zing]

So a good friend recently made 100% lard soap, her very first time. I do not like it, the lather was very creamy and lotion-y. She calls it slimy and is asking for feedback. I have never used animal products. Did she use too high of a superfat, or is lard like olive oil? She has raging ADHD and cooks by just throwing in ingredients. I impressed upon her that she HAS to follow an actual RECIPE and use a LYE CALCULATOR and all the things. She "can't remember" her recipe so all I know is she used 100% lard. Let me know if you have experience or any ideas. Thanks.

[I'm not hating on people with ADHD. I love my friend and her energy and all her interests. But she's super high energy and I told her when she makes soap that she has to slow down and read and ollow directions 'cuz she's messing with lye.]

 

[AliOop]

100% lard soaps will definitely have a lotion-y, creamy lather. It could also be described as slimy, especially if the superfat is higher.

Assuming that simpler is better for her, then I'd suggest something like:

Oils: 60% lard, 20% CO, 20% liquid oil (olive, RBO, sweet almond)
Additives: 2% sugar or sorbitol (per weight of oils)
Superfat: 2-3%

 

[MelissaG]

Please tell her to slow down. She's going to hurt someone if she rushes, ignores things, or forgets something when she's using lye.

 

[KentuckySilks]

100% lard soaps will definitely have a lotion-y, creamy lather. It could also be described as slimy, especially if the superfat is higher.

Assuming that simpler is better for her, then I'd suggest something like:

Oils: 60% lard, 20% CO, 20% liquid oil (olive, RBO, sweet almond)
Additives: 2% sugar or sorbitol (per weight of oils)
Superfat: 2-3%

That’s a great recipe, not too complicated- sorbitol will definitely give more bubbles than regular sugar, imo, Amazon has it

 

[Kari Howie]

Please tell her to slow down. She's going to hurt someone if she rushes, ignores things, or forgets something when she's using lye.

Patients with ADHD and ADD have differently-wired brains and may require medication to “slow down” and focus.

 

[Mobjack Bay]

I made a batch of 100% lard soap early on and was not impressed. It did not improve much over the first two years.

If simple is important, 80% lard, 20% coconut will make a surprisingly nice soap.

 

[ScentimentallyYours]

cooks by just throwing in ingredients. I impressed upon her that she HAS to follow an actual RECIPE and use a LYE CALCULATOR and all the things. She "can't remember" her recipe

@Zing Tell her it is CHEMISTRY, because it is, and requires the exacting precision of science. If she doesn’t want to follow procedures and keep records for every batch, for safety’s sake, she needs to move on to other activities.

 

[Kari Howie]

I made a batch of 100% lard soap early on and was not impressed. It did not improve much over the first two years.

If simple is important, 80% lard, 20% coconut will make a surprisingly nice soap.

I agree. I was disappointed in my 100% lard soap, but I found that coconut oil made all the difference.

 

[Kari Howie]

Please everyone, understand that telling a person with ADHD to slow down is like telling a person with major depressive disorder to “snap out of it.” It is not something that a person can easily control. It is not a matter of willfully ignoring advice. It is a brain disorder that manifests in varying degrees of severity from one individual to another. They have difficulty staying task focused and tend to impulsive behavior. That’s why simpler is better and activities with immediate gratification are ideal for them along with medical management as deemed necessary. On the plus side, they often have high rates of creative abilities/achievements, which, fortunately, are not blunted by medication. In the meantime, as far as soap making goes, she may require in-person mentoring to help put the brakes on and ensure she’s following a simple recipe from a lye calculator with a hard copy to keep in front of her while she’s working. Failing all that, another creative outlet may be better suited.

 

[AliOop]

Please everyone, understand that telling a person with ADHD to slow down is like telling a person with major depressive disorder to “snap out of it.” It is not something that a person can easily control. It is not a matter of willfully ignoring advice. It is a brain disorder that manifests in varying degrees of severity from one individual to another. They have difficulty staying task focused and tend to impulsive behavior. That’s why simpler is better and activities with immediate gratification are ideal for them along with medical management as deemed necessary. On the plus side, they often have high rates of creative abilities/achievements, which, fortunately, are not blunted by medication. In the meantime, as far as soap making goes, she may require in-person mentoring to help put the brakes on and ensure she’s following a simple recipe from a lye calculator with a hard copy to keep in front of her while she’s working. Failing all that, another creative outlet may be better suited.

Well said. Another way for folks with ADD to handle a complex project (like soapmaking) is to break it into chunks that are completed at different times, such as:

1. Put together the recipe in the soap c@lculator, and print it out.
2. Gather all the materials that will be needed, and check them off on a checklist.
3. Make the soap, using a second checklist to ensure that all materials are used.

 

[bookworm42]

Never tried 100% lard but good to know.
If she really wants to make soap she could try melt and pour. It might be a good option as it's simpler and safer. I like the idea of the 80% lard 20% coconut oil to help keep things simple as well.

 

[AliOop]

I made a batch of 100% lard soap early on and was not impressed. It did not improve much over the first two years.

If simple is important, 80% lard, 20% coconut will make a surprisingly nice soap.

I almost suggested the 80-20 version; you are right, it is probably the better choice for a newbie who needs the greatest simplicity.

And I can't disagree about the limitations of 100% lard soap, unless it's made with sugar or sorbitol. Sorbitol is my favorite as well, @KentuckySilks. But I always suggest sugar for beginners, since a) most folks already have it in their house, and b) if they don't stick with soapmaking, they won't have sorbitol lying around the house forever.

Still, if someone has significant skin issues, 100% lard is a great starting point, and can end up being the only true soap that their skin can tolerate. Using a washcloth or bath pouf can help a lot with getting it to lather.