Homemade soap presents the easy way :)

MrsTinks

As mentioned on an earlier thread I have found the measurements my book lists for making lavender soap:

100gr of unperfumed white soap - grated
5 tbsp water
3 tbsp lavender flowers - ground
1-2 drops of essential lavender oil
1 drop food colouring (optional)
cardboard tubes (the book suggests disgarded cigar tubes... I'm still trying to think of an appropriate substitute)
Vegetable oil
Ribbon

Method:

Place the soap and water in a large bowl in the microwave and process on high for two to three minutes (I would recommend a good clean of the Microwave first to make sure you're not tainting the soap with curry flavours :eek: ) or melt in a bowl over a pan of simmering water.
Stir the melted soap and water mix and add the ground lavender flowers, essential oil and colouring if using.

Pour (use funnel if needed) into moulds (sealed at one end) and stand upright until the soap is set - will be approx two to three hours.

Remove mould and cut the soap diagonally into short sticks. Polish with a few drops of oil on a cloth and tie into bunches with a ribbon or lace.


They have used green colouring and it looks very good I have to say. Also might be worth only polishing half the sticks? give a bit of contrast...

MrsTinks

For a variation you could try teatree oil, orange and cinnamon, rose (use finely ground dried rosepetals maybe?) - any other ideas?

flufff

I make soap.....even some clear unscented soaps from supermarkets are so highly processed they simply blow up like popcorn rather than melt in microwave.
A clear glycerine fragrance free soap is best,superdrugs melts fine but sainsburys doesnt!!!
or try

https://www.justasoap.co.uk is a good site for skin safe fragrances,moulds

flufff

Lavendar flowers also can discolour soap as will any petals.Essential oils are lovely,allow soap to cool a little before adding or add in a spoonful of oil to lessen evaporation.
Small margarine tubs are good then you can slice the soap....dont microwave tubs though!

skintchick

HOw do you make bath salts? I ahve some jars waiting to be filled wiht nice pressies

MrsTinks

thanks fluff The soaps that is used for the recipe I found above are not the clear glycerin soaps but the "normal" kinda soap. The one I found with the least ingredients in is the Tesco's own value brand. Do like the site tho, might try the bathbomb kit and the glycerin soaps as they seem affordable! Their link to postage isn't working tho, can you recall how much postage is normally? Best guestimate is great

MrsTinks

Bath salt recipies seem to vary from "take real sea salt" to "use epsom" and "Kosher Salt". Some say add bicarbonate of soda (makes your skin soft) to dried milk (uhmmm yeah... not certain about that) and just adding drops of essential oil and mix. All seem to agree to use a TINY amount of colour if you want to use colour and mix a drop or two at a time...

Try a google search loads come up

flufff

Ive used this site for fragrances and bases when I first started be warned the scents are very addictive.Postage goes on weight and delivery is usually within 24 hours.http://www.justasoap.co.uk/catalog/shipping.php

Ive not found many ingredient suppliers in uk.She also does starter kits for bath bombs,soap,bath salts etc.
Ebay is good for finding molds,colourings ,fragrances i found them cheaper to import.I recently had some of those seashell shaped chocs and kept the packaging as a mould.
Ive invested in some big pans now to try hot and cold process but am still lacking in confidence.
I may try tesco value soap then,but sainsburys glycerine just fluffed up in microwave like popcorn!

flufff

I think the larger salt crystals look lovely.Would be gorgeous with a handful of lavendar and essential oil mixed in.
The milk thing is correct.I did aromatherapy.Rather than adding essential oils to more oil for a sensual bath we were told to add to a small medecine measuring cup of milk.If it was good enough for cleopatra works for me.Can see skimmed milk working in small amounts.
Milk and honey is a lovely fragrance.I used to add milk podwer and real honey to my soap.

flufff

I wouldnt pop soap on high in microwave,try medium for 30 secs first.Few minutes seems awfully long and it can scold when molten a bit like hot wax.Very similar to make I understand

MrsTinks

fluff I might try making some tomorrow so I'll let you know what happens with the value soap No point in both of us wasting money and time if it doesn't work!

I've now got the grand idea of making massage bars too... you know like the ones Lush do? gonna see if I can find a recipe for them but I see they sell the cocoa butter and shea butter which they are made from at Lush... just need a recipe hehehe

Oh drat... I'm addicted again aren't I?