tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post6258752635458817367..comments2024-03-28T15:55:53.792+10:00Comments on down to earth: How to make cold process soapUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger95125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-85955249924078906802012-07-15T04:15:36.839+10:002012-07-15T04:15:36.839+10:00Thanks for this tutorial! Now a question: To mak...Thanks for this tutorial! Now a question: To make the most inexpensive type of soap, would it be OK to simply use one oil, like Canola, for example, instead of the higher priced ones. Getting clean is the goal - and it seems like it might work.Clay Juracsikhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18122227305118882654noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-20015321620664829092012-06-24T19:12:58.035+10:002012-06-24T19:12:58.035+10:00Brilliant instructions :) Have bookmarked this pag...Brilliant instructions :) Have bookmarked this page and can't wait to give it a go this holidays... DO you mind if I post the results of my attempt on my blog?Rachhttp://www.chroniclesofeverything.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-46193305518515232992012-06-17T11:02:00.866+10:002012-06-17T11:02:00.866+10:00Hello, i have a book called Natural Soapmaking by ...Hello, i have a book called Natural Soapmaking by Marie Browning and some of her recipes asks for 1 cup grated vegetable soap, while others require grated beauty bars. i was wondering if i can replace the beauty bar with this vegetable soap and add other scented oils and ingredients (like powdered skim milk, shea/coco butter) to it. thank you :DVickynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-4051820023813720932012-05-02T06:11:56.484+10:002012-05-02T06:11:56.484+10:00Lori, here's another calculator to try:
http:...Lori, here's another calculator to try:<br /><br />http://brambleberry.com/pages/lye-calculator.aspxSavannagalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15982961676841031512noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-37896930327897659902012-04-25T06:56:53.466+10:002012-04-25T06:56:53.466+10:00Hello, I've been reading your blog for a while...Hello, I've been reading your blog for a while now, and just found this post! I am very excited to give this a go. I am curious though, the link you provide to the Snow Drift Farms calculator doesn't appear to be working anymore. I tried googling them, but all I have found is other people talking about using their calculator. Any ideas on what I may be doing wrong? Thank you so much!Lorihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07472277509884436389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-35065554551574093452012-04-05T08:32:55.107+10:002012-04-05T08:32:55.107+10:00Thank you Rhonda the pictures will be very helpful...Thank you Rhonda the pictures will be very helpful when I come to make my first soap batch.<br /><br />Have you estimated how much it costs you to make a batch and thus how much you are saving by making your own soap?<br /><br />Thanks<br />SarahAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-13539863803794796072011-12-29T12:04:43.595+10:002011-12-29T12:04:43.595+10:00Fiona, I've had the same thing happen to my so...Fiona, I've had the same thing happen to my soap. The higher grade oils take longer to cure. I just leave mine to harden and then use them as usual. It's better to use cheaper oils in soap.rhonda jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08962112306968959985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-70418482203850711542011-12-29T11:42:09.804+10:002011-12-29T11:42:09.804+10:00I saw your article in the Womans Weekly and made a...I saw your article in the Womans Weekly and made a batch of soap according to your recipe. It has been drying for 2 weeks but it is still soft to touch, perhaps like fudge. (It was 1000ml olive oil and 250 copha/coconut oil)Will it harden if I leave it longer or did I do something wrong and should I try remaking it so I dont waste all the ingredients?<br />Many thanks and great to know about your blog.<br />FionaUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13740574182726170290noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-7104562557569775402011-12-05T21:36:09.712+10:002011-12-05T21:36:09.712+10:00My first batch turned out really well and is now r...My first batch turned out really well and is now ready to use. My husband, daughter and 15year teenager grand-daughter think it is very moisterising and tool spme home with them.<br />It has been a learning curve from then because I started experimenting with essential oils and colours. Alas, failures five times now but I am going to make coloured soap until I run out of the oils I bought. Got enough already to last us for a year.Leave you to the good job you have done with the website.<br /> Thanks RhondaTheresa from Yeppoon, Qldnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-18096539456506811952011-11-30T12:03:55.700+10:002011-11-30T12:03:55.700+10:00thank you for this info...how can i tell when my w...thank you for this info...how can i tell when my water and my lye have reached 50C...i realize i will need two thermometers, but am i adding the lye to the distilled h20 in the jug??? i know i'm dense...sorry, thanks for your answer...mhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04334641190667996634noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-80591446926962120742011-10-19T17:20:29.082+10:002011-10-19T17:20:29.082+10:00Theresa from Australia here again,
I feel a bit of...Theresa from Australia here again,<br />I feel a bit of a fool as I just read you live down the coast. Oh, well that's life. <br />I had one successful batch making soap with solid vegetable oil and the rest of your engredients.<br />The first problem I have is I used copha and it wouldn't set for a week so I have piled into a bowl awaiting advice. Never seemed to come to a trace quickly-2 hours actually. What do I do with it??<br />2nd. Today-my birthday- Got a stickmaster, everything going very well but I left it in the saucepan and a volcana began so I quickly rescued what I could. Too hot, the saucepan held the heat. It is now outside in the gale force winds, and I have rubbed it into some moulds so it didn't burn my hands so it is now terrible looking soap. Leave it and proceed to dry or do something else with it.<br />I have become rather addicted to soap making and I was wondering where you get your supplies? Or no advertising, allowed. Who to trust. I just want to make some for xmas presents, that's all.<br />I would love to live on acreage like you and we had plans to move from Yeppoon south to be closer to older relatives but my daughter is expecting twins and after xmas will have to stay here with me as both our husbands work at the mines.<br />My husband worked for QR National for 43 years as a foreman and in 2008, 14 men in Rockhampton were asked to take redundancy so, after that many years of shift work round the clock, it was hard to adjust and he had no skills outside the rail, so a steep learning curve.<br />Better stop, love your life style. Where do you get loofahs?<br />Hope you have some answers for me<br />Thanks<br />Theresa from Yeppoon, QldTheresa from Yeppoonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-90304891183115523342011-10-12T07:50:06.112+10:002011-10-12T07:50:06.112+10:00That soap looks great, Rhonda - thanks for posting...That soap looks great, Rhonda - thanks for posting how to make it. I want to make some, but what are the dimensions of your mould, please? I don't want to make a batch, then realise I don't have enough mould space for it all! ;o)SunFlowernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-83857463132244876082011-09-20T03:21:33.647+10:002011-09-20T03:21:33.647+10:00Stumbled across this blog -- great info and great ...Stumbled across this blog -- great info and great living sense :) i am now a Happy Follower! Thanks!!Heather Mitchellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17913171737309277093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-75147858134654490512011-09-12T15:08:38.933+10:002011-09-12T15:08:38.933+10:00You can't use aluminium with caustic soda, The...You can't use aluminium with caustic soda, Theresa. Use your stainless steel saucepan. Steel doesn't absorb anything and after a good clean, it will be ready for cooking again. I've been using my cooking saucepans for as long as I've been making soap.rhonda jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08962112306968959985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-62008324403377907822011-09-12T15:04:01.214+10:002011-09-12T15:04:01.214+10:00Live in small coastal town in Australia. I underst...Live in small coastal town in Australia. I understand "how to make the soap" BUT have a big problem trying to buy a stainless steel pot, believe it or not. They are all non-stick which I hate. Can't use the big enamel pot as hubby cooks his mudcrabs in that.<br /><br />Can I use aluminium(if I spelt that right) or I have a saucepan that is stainless steel but I do cook in it so would the soap taste ever come out. I think not.<br />Great webpage on soap making I have seen so far as I have researched. Good on ya! <br />Theresa.Theresanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-19328171250997706212011-08-05T15:25:21.384+10:002011-08-05T15:25:21.384+10:00I made my first batch of soap yesterday and I am a...I made my first batch of soap yesterday and I am absolutely thrilled with it. Now all I have to do is be patient and wait for it to cure.<br />Thankyou for the great recipe & instructions.Mad Cat Ladynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-84565639046503859552011-07-28T10:43:13.812+10:002011-07-28T10:43:13.812+10:00just waiting for the lye mix to cool. I noticed th...just waiting for the lye mix to cool. I noticed that I have posted in the original comments and it has taken me 4, yes you read that right! 4 years to actually do this. Oh my no wonder it takes me so long to do anything, I procrastinate for years. LOL<br /><br />cheers Kate (Lenny)simplelifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13397507005757292686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-80774774244704760502011-05-30T08:14:24.833+10:002011-05-30T08:14:24.833+10:00Thanks so much Rhonda for taking the time to share...Thanks so much Rhonda for taking the time to share all of this information with the public. <br /><br />Yesterday I made my very first batch of soap using your Recipe (above) and a little help from my husband.<br /><br />The mixture took less than 2 minutes to get to "trace" using my stick blender so I was quite concerned that things were not going to work out. I used Copha instead of Coconut Oil, so am wondering whether this made a difference.<br /><br />This morning I turned the soap out of the mould and cut in to use-size pieces, and the cutting was very easy to do, with the soap holding its shape.<br /><br />Now that soap bars are sitting out on racks, where they shall remain for around 4 weeks. (My concern is keeping the dust off them, so I think I'm going to cover with a tea towel.) Maybe putting them in to a cupboard would solve this issue.<br /><br />I have to say that I'm thrilled! I even got little bubbles from the knife when I was washing it after cutting the soap this morning!<br /><br />Thanks so much again.<br /><br />Warm regards, Nicole.Nicole from Hamptonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-43535453395158674752011-05-30T03:37:37.311+10:002011-05-30T03:37:37.311+10:00Anon, here it is:
http://down---to---earth.blogspo...Anon, here it is:<br />http://down---to---earth.blogspot.com/2010/09/soap-new-recipe.html<br /><br />Enjoy your soap making on Tuesday. I'll be teaching my Frugal Home Workshop then and talking about this recipe.rhonda jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08962112306968959985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-69609369522390780352011-05-29T15:30:40.642+10:002011-05-29T15:30:40.642+10:00Dear Rhonda Jean I am hoping you can help me. I h...Dear Rhonda Jean I am hoping you can help me. I have been make your lovely soap for the last couple of years. I've got my girlfriends doing it also. We love it and I use it as shampoo also as it suits my hair type. <br />We are having a soap making session on tuesday. Being a good little thrifty I remembered seeing your writing about using copha instead of coconut oil in one of your blogs. I have 2 blocks of copha left over from doing white xmas lollies in December. But for the life of me I cannot find that blog about using copha. Would you please help me and point me in the right direction for the copha/soap blog. Thank you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-48787295583600694482011-05-21T09:45:45.869+10:002011-05-21T09:45:45.869+10:00Daniela, the oil and lye have to be at the same te...Daniela, the oil and lye have to be at the same temperature when you mix them. The lye heats up itself and you wait for that to cool down - so do that first, then you heat up the oils. You can use the same thermometer.<br /><br />I never use fragrant oils so I can't advise you. I only know they go in at trace and you need a fair amount.<br /><br />I hope it turns out well for you.rhonda jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08962112306968959985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-65597605937446895052011-05-21T09:32:50.660+10:002011-05-21T09:32:50.660+10:00Greetings..
Love the tutorial..just wondering if ...Greetings..<br /><br />Love the tutorial..just wondering if including fragrant oils to this quantity how much would one use?<br /><br />Also..the technique of heating the lye up to 50C was a little lost on me. I gather the lye heats up itself and I imagine it would almost be instantaneous.<br /><br />Is the process to heat the oils up to 50C first..then the lye so as one can use the same thermometer?<br /><br />Cheers..DanielaDanielanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-57195770135998953592011-05-18T22:02:21.971+10:002011-05-18T22:02:21.971+10:00Hi
At what stage can one ad fresh herbs, lavender...Hi<br /><br />At what stage can one ad fresh herbs, lavender leaves etc to the soap mixture?<br />Pity about having to use caustic soda - it just doesnt soun d right even though it disapates.<br />ThanksJungle Anoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-31860211993008890512011-03-24T01:24:15.692+10:002011-03-24T01:24:15.692+10:00Hi Rhonda,
I've been researching soapmaking o...Hi Rhonda,<br /><br />I've been researching soapmaking online, and your tutorial was by far the most informative and easy to follow. I'll be giving soapmaking a go I think!! :)Clairenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-26940870257398366282011-01-08T19:59:36.830+10:002011-01-08T19:59:36.830+10:00Hi again
One failure and one success!! I have tri...Hi again<br /><br />One failure and one success!! I have tried again, with the only difference being that I used distilled water this time and tank water the first time. I now have lovely honey coloured soaps curing.Veronicanoreply@blogger.com