Lard soap questions

[KentuckySilks]

I know it’s an additional ingredient, but I have made a really nice soap with 75% lard, 20% coconut and 5% castor. I do add 2% each salt and sugar and aloe instead of water. I do 2-3% super fat.

What does the aloe juice do? Is it at grocery stores?

 

[Tammyfarms]

What does the aloe juice do? Is it at grocery stores?

It increases bubbles.
I buy it at Walmart. https://www.walmart.com/ip/10314798?sid=18f97581-7ee8-4a40-8053-befc83b2ab39

 

[Shelley D]

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.]

Ooo ~ sounds like you have your hands full there

 

[KentuckySilks]

It increases bubbles.
I buy it at Walmart. https://www.walmart.com/ip/10314798?sid=18f97581-7ee8-4a40-8053-befc83b2ab39

Do you refrigerate it?

 

[Tammyfarms]

Do you refrigerate it?

I don’t.

 

[dmcgee5034]

I don’t.

I do.

 

[melinda48]

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.

I do not have ADHD but I am getting older. I type out my recipes (soap name goes at the top), listing ingredients in two columns (one for a single batch, one for a double batch), print my recipes out, laminate them, three-hole punch them and place them in a binder - keeping them in alphabetical order. As I make a batch, I measure out each ingredient, crossing it off using a China marker (grease pencil) on the recipe as I go. I move my measured fragrance/essential oils and mixed colorants to my prep table so they will be in front of me as I work. Since I write out the process for each batch, I follow that and doing so insures I don’t forget to add essential/fragrance/colorants/etc. When I am done, I wipe down the laminated sheet with cloth or paper towel and put it back in the binder, make out my batch card and clean up. Works for me. Done and done!

 

[melinda48]

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.

Why do you prefer sorbitol over sugar? I regularly add powdered sugar to my oils (1tsp PPO) and love the result. Why should I invest in a more expensive option?

 

[AliOop]

Why do you prefer sorbitol over sugar? I regularly add powdered sugar to my oils (1tsp PPO) and love the result. Why should I invest in a more expensive option?

I tested sugar, powdered sugar, and sorbitol, and sorbitol came out on top for the best lather with the least amount of additive. Perhaps the results are different for different recipes?

Also, since I don't sell, and only use sorbitol at 1-2% of oils, a $10 bag of sorbitol can last me two years. I haven't checked bulk prices for it, but they'd probably be even better.

Still, your post is a great example of why folks should experiment where they can, and find what works best for them. It's great that we can all share that here.

 

[Tammyfarms]

I do.

Just looked at the jug and it says refrigerate after opening. I will definitely be refrigerating from now on.

 

[melinda48]

I will have to check into sorbitol more closely. Thanks!

 

[AliOop]

I will have to check into sorbitol more closely. Thanks!

@justsomeguy recently did a bulk sorbitol order which he was offering to share with/ ship to SMF members, per this post. Not sure if he still has any left to share but you can reach out to him.

 

[justsomeguy]

@justsomeguy recently did a bulk sorbitol order which he was offering to share with/ ship to SMF members, per this post. Not sure if he still has any left to share but you can reach out to him.

Take my sorbitol please and thank you!
Postage is $9.20 from Virginia to the lower 48 states...

 

[Tammyfarms]

Take my sorbitol please and thank you!
Postage is $9.20 from Virginia to the lower 48 states...

Is this for powdered sorbitol? And do you have enough to spare an extra quantity?

 

[justsomeguy]

Is this for powdered sorbitol? And do you have enough to spare an extra quantity?

Yes and yes! I've only got gallon zip lock bags. And the USPS medium and large flat rate boxes in addition to the padded envelope...

 

[dmcgee5034]

Take my sorbitol please and thank you!
Postage is $9.20 from Virginia to the lower 48 states...

That’s a good price to me, and so nice of you @justsomeguy. My brand new bag from Amazon was only 12 oz for that price.

 

[justsomeguy]

That’s a good price to me, and so nice of you @justsomeguy. My brand new bag from Amazon was only 12 oz for that price.

Yeah, everybody wins!

 

[Tammyfarms]

Yes and yes! I've only got gallon zip lock bags. And the USPS medium and large flat rate boxes in addition to the padded envelope...

So just to clarify is 9.20 for gen postage and the sorbitol?

 

[justsomeguy]

So just to clarify is 9.20 for gen postage and the sorbitol?

Yeah. The sorbitol is free. Postage is $9.20 for the flat rate USPS padded envelope to any of the lower 48 states.

If you're in the DC Metro area there's no postage, just gas

 

[Tammyfarms]

Yeah. The sorbitol is free. Postage is $9.20 for the flat rate USPS padded envelope to any of the lower 48 states.

If you're in the DC Metro area there's no postage, just gas

Sending you a pm.

A note on shipping. Writing it here so it may help others. I discovered Pirate Ship about 6 months ago and have used them 6-8 times with great success. Generally the postage is about half of what it costs through the post office or UPS. You create an account on their website, put in your address and the recipient’s address along with package measurements and weight then print the label. Shipping is through the post office or UPS, you choose which when you print the label. Drop off the package at the post office (bonus, you don’t have to wait in line) or the UPS store/office and you’re done. You still get tracking info just as if you had used the post office or UPS. Honestly, I can’t see a downside. Not sure how they do it but they do. I have sent soap in boxes that are 4.5x4.25x12 full of soap from
Idaho to NC for less than 10. It would have been around $20 through the post office. Best part - at Christmas I skipped the lines.