making liquid soaps, shampoos, shower gels etc.

[amberlou]

Hi, as anyone made any kind of liquid soaps, bubble baths etc. I bought a book that gives
instructions for a paste method that takes hours n hours, or an alcohol method that involves sealing the soap pan with plastic sheet and bungee cord. Is there a simpler method, I don't want to make vast amounts.

 

[Bigmoose]

I use a crocpot and give it a few hours. It is what it is.

Bruce

 

[Zhuliya]

Hi,

I use a very simple method that doesn't make the best liquid soap, but that works for the small amounts I make.

I simply melt grated soap with double or triple the amount of water (e.g. 1 cup of soap with 2-3 cups of water) in a double boiler. When the soap is nice and melted - it needs to be liquid, so if I need to I add some more water - i add a teaspoon of alcohol (I find 90° pure alcohol here, if you can't find it where you are I've read of people using vodka) and stir it well leaving it to "cook" for another few minutes for the alcohol to evaporate. Than I let it sit until it cools down a little, add a few drops of EOs and pour it into the containers.

I have read of people adding glycerine too, which makes the whole thing probably better; plus my soap, especially in winter, tends to solidify, so every now and then I add a little hot water to it and shake it.

As I said, it's not the best liquid soap ever, and it doesn't bubble much, but I use it as a shower gel and like it.

 

[SudsyKat]

I've only made one successful batch so far, but for what it's worth - I used a crockpot and it does take several hours, not to mention the time it takes to dilute the solution, let it sequester, etc. It's kind of a pain, but I just like to make stuff, so it was worth it for me.

As for the grated soap method, it works - sort of. Give it a try and see what you think. I made some and it works okay, but it clogs up my pump because it's a bit "snotty" in texture. Enjoy!

 

[paillo]

I've only made one successful batch so far, but for what it's worth - I used a crockpot and it does take several hours, not to mention the time it takes to dilute the solution, let it sequester, etc. It's kind of a pain, but I just like to make stuff, so it was worth it for me.

As for the grated soap method, it works - sort of. Give it a try and see what you think. I made some and it works okay, but it clogs up my pump because it's a bit "snotty" in texture. Enjoy!

as for the grated soap, agree. yuck. i tried it a number of times. snotty and have to put more on the sponge seems like after every dish. way too much of a time sink for me, though was fun to try

 

[AZ Soaper]

I have done both the alcohol/paste method and the crockpot method. I personally like the alcohol/paste method better. I feel I have more controll over the end product, although I have not done the crockpot method as much as the alcohol/paste method. So I may need to do it a few more times in the crockpot. It seems like no matter how little water I add to the crockpot method, I just can't get it as thick as the paste method.

Anyway, The easiest way to make liquid soap is using surfactants but then that's a whole other animal!