What's new? I am!!!

[Ms. Moore]

Hey! I am an American presently exiled in Ireland with the hubby. I am relatively new to soap making. I started last summer. Given the high humidity here all of my soaps have been "hot process". My only issue here is that I have to import all my raw materials. So I think I may flirt with the locally produced oils for soap making... Anywho, it's good to be here.

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[soapbuddy]

Welcome!

 

[Hazel]

Welcome to the forum!

What are the locally produced oils?

 

[MsDee]

Hi and Welcome to SMF

 

[AmyW]

Welcome!

 

[Ms. Moore]

Hi guys! Thanks for the welcome.

Hazel: Rapeseed and canola oils are produced here.

 

[Acme]

Welcome and your welcome.

 

[Southern Bell]

Hi & nice 2 meet ya!!

 

[Hazel]

Hi guys! Thanks for the welcome.

Hazel: Rapeseed and canola oils are produced here.

Hmm...both are susceptible to DOS. Maybe you won't have a problem if you make sure they're very fresh and make small batches. Do you know of any UK suppliers?

 

[Ms. Moore]

Hi Hazel:

I get EVERYTHING from the UK, unfortunately...

 

[Hazel]

I'm going to take a wild stab and say from the way you wrote your reply that shipping is expensive. Have you considered trying tallow and lard? They might be locally available and not too expensive.

 

[Ms. Moore]

Hazel: I can't bring myself to using animal fats. I've calculated how the cost to make 1 bar of soap and even with the extortionate shipping fees, it's still cheaper than buying Lever/P&G brands. I just wish all my goodies were at my disposal here.

That goes not just for soap making but for my personal care needs. I whip shea and cocoa butters for my hair and skin and I have not been able to find them here, not even at the African markets. In the US, one could easily find shea butter in bulk at these markets and 100% cocoa butter has always been ubiquitous (I remember mom using it on me as a child!!!)

Anywho!

 

[Microdot]

Welcome to the forum!

 

[Hazel]

Hazel: I can't bring myself to using animal fats. I've calculated how the cost to make 1 bar of soap and even with the extortionate shipping fees, it's still cheaper than buying Lever/P&G brands. I just wish all my goodies were at my disposal here.

That goes not just for soap making but for my personal care needs. I whip shea and cocoa butters for my hair and skin and I have not been able to find them here, not even at the African markets. In the US, one could easily find shea butter in bulk at these markets and 100% cocoa butter has always been ubiquitous (I remember mom using it on me as a child!!!)

Anywho!

Do you have Trex or some other type of vegetable shortening? I use vegetable shortening (Crisco! ) in some of my soaps and it's very nice.

 

[madpiano]

Hello

there is no Canola in Ireland as it is banned in the UK? Just plain old Rapeseed, although you will be able to buy the heavily processed stuff which is taste and odorless and the cold-pressed organic stuff, which is lovely, but better for salads than soaps.

I never had DOS with Rapeseed Oil. Something the do to it to turn it into Canola makes it prone to DOS, which leaves me wondering what it does to humans....

I am in the UK, so not 100% sure what you will be able to get in Ireland, of course lard and tallow, but if you want to avoid animal fats, try and look for a catering wholesaler, something like Costco or Makro. You can find palm oil there. Have you checked larger supermarkets near you? I don't have to order many raw materials online at all. Most oils are available at supermarkets, lye is available at DIY stores.

Be warned KTC Olive Pomace is a mix of oils, not 100% Olive! (Just in case you come across it)

Cheers and Welcome
Sabine

 

[Ms. Moore]

I have found a crisco type oil here. I've yet to try it.


Hi Sabine!

I should have typed "rapeseed/canola"--genetically engineered rapeseed in North America is canola and this name is not used around these parts because of the implication. But they are essentially the same oil.

I have found olive, coconut and palm oils. I found castor and almond oils last week when I wasn't even looking! Go figure. However, I wanted larger quantities so I had to order from the UK. Shea and cocoa butters are non-existent here. I ordered these too from the UK.

I hope to befriend someone in the restaurant business!

Thankfully, NaOH was easy to find.