Making loofah CP soap...

[AshleyR]

I bought some 3" loofah that is in 6 inch lengths. I've seen a lot of loofah soaps around where people put the loofah lengths into a round (PVC?)mold and then slice the soap like usual and it has a piece of loofah in it.

Hopefully most of you know what I'm talking about!

Anyway, I have 3" PVC pipe and the loofah - I'm just not sure what the best way to do this is. Do I just stuff the pipe with the loofah pieces and then pour my CP over it? Do I need to soak the loofahs first? I'm a little bit concerned that the CP might not soak through the loofah pieces enough.

Any tips are appreciated! I'm hoping to make this soap tonight and will post pics tomorrow!

 

[wonderland]

i like the way these are done. thought about trying it out for myself.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?li ... d=23183511

 

[topcat]

Ashley, one of my soaping suppliers makes loofah soap with both CP and MP - I will email her and ask for some tips for you.

Tanya

 

[Dixie]

Oh wonderland that is really cool!! I'm going to make some like that. Love the way the half loofa is embeded in the soap! Double duty!

 

[AshleyR]

I saw those wonderland! I thought about doing them that way too but I just got myself some PVC pipe to make round soaps so I'm gonna give 'em a go that way first!

Thanks so much Tanya! I'm pretty sure you do just pour the CP over the dry loofah, but just in case, I wanna be safe!

 

[LJA]

Ash -
I've seen it done where you just make a "ring" of freezer paper that your loofah rounds fit snugly into, tape it shut and set on something like an old cookie sheet with wax paper on it, and just pour the raw soap into the ring. Untape the ring the next day and viola!

Did that make sense?

 

[topcat]

Here is the reply from my supplier Ashley:-

''Most CP’ers use a whole loofah if pouring into a log or milk carton, and carve away the extra soap after unmoulding. If you are using precut loofah slices, you may not be able to see them well unless you really get them snugly together in the tube.

To ensure they are all the same shape, moisten them for about 30 seconds and push them either into the mould or wrap tightly in sheet of stiff card or paper. Just long enough to let them dry out (watch out if using paper as if the loofah are too wet it will disintergrate!

Depending on your fragrance choice, a good medium trace is the best time to pour. You can have the loofah dry to pour over, which is my preference to avoid any future mold. Only wet them to shape.''

HTH!

Tanya

 

[Lindy]

I love those Wonderland! That is another really cool soap I want to make - need to get some Loofah...... :shock:

 

[Jola]

I can't wait till fall. I'm growing loofah and plan to do some of these. Grow, grow, grow! lol

 

[Lindy]

Jola how cool is that!!!

 

[Vinca Leaf]

that's so cool! I always thought soap loofah was with M&P!

 

[AshleyR]

Thanks Tanya! You're the best!

The soaking/shaping tip was especially helpful as mine are kind of wonky shaped. I'll soak them now and stuff them into the pipe to dry. Maybe I can make the soap tonight.

I think I'll try a small batch in the PVC pipe and see how it comes out before doing it the other way and carving off the soap! I'll let you know how it goes and of course post pictures!

Thanks again!

 

[Guest]

Weird. They remind me of mice with ears growing on their backs. I need to adjust my head.

 

[Vinca Leaf]

Weird. They remind me of mice with ears growing on their backs. I need to adjust my head.

lol!!!

 

[SimplyE]

I have made several batches with loofa. I did not have a PVC mold large enough for the loofa, so I used a pringles can.

I dropped the loofa in and poured the soap (CP) over it. Make sure your soap is fairly thin, though. Otherwise, it won't get into the nooks and crannies of the loofa. Also, I made sure the loofa was smaller than the can by a bit so that the soap formed around it. I will take a pic and post it. They feel mahvelous!

 

[Jola]

Thanks Tanya! You're the best!

The soaking/shaping tip was especially helpful as mine are kind of wonky shaped. I'll soak them now and stuff them into the pipe to dry. Maybe I can make the soap tonight.

I think I'll try a small batch in the PVC pipe and see how it comes out before doing it the other way and carving off the soap! I'll let you know how it goes and of course post pictures!

Thanks again!

Yay! I can't wait to see them.

Just a tip, I don't think the soap was carved off the other ones. It looks to me like a slab mold was used and the loofahs were pressed down into it.

 

[SimplyE]

These are using the pringles can. If you do it this way, make sure your soap is thin and you really slam the mold down to get the soap all around the loofa. Not my greatest batch, but you get the idea

 

[lavender.dreams.candles]

Here's a recipe for cp loofah soap using a pvc mold.

I hope this helps you....

http://www.soap-making-essentials.com/loofah-soap.html

 

[AshleyR]

Thanks for the pics SimpyE and the tutorial lavender dreams! I haven't made it yet, still waiting for the loofah to dry as I had to dampen it so that it would take the shape of the mold. I'll probably make it tomorrow morning!

 

[AshleyR]

I posted some pics of my loofah soap in the Photo Gallery if anyone wants to check em out!