Soap Makers Help!

[Kassaundra]

I have not read this thread (the 470 pages) so I'm going to apologize in advance. I have been trying to do a little research on soap making. I recently made some laundry soap and that worked out very well. That got me to concidering making bar soap. What I haven't been able to find is a simple idiots reciepe, and a cost analysis, nothing big or fancy, just a general idea how much it costs to make x amount of soap. Any ideas?

 

[savingdogs]

Well you have to buy a few supplies,so that first batch is expensive! But the price drops dramatically from there!

I was able to buy most everything I needed at a goodwill store, with some careful shopping. I did borrow a scale and ordered fragrance, molds and lye online from a soapmaking company. That was my biggest expense. I also wanted to use an inexpensive, easy to obtain oil, so I use the Easy Crisco Recipe (google it, it is all over the net) and alter it a little now that I've mastered making the basic recipe. I now make it with goats milk. I will venture into other recipes, but I really like that soap and finding Crisco is easy-peasey.

There are a lot of great first recipes however besides the one I use, soapmaking is more about following directions carefully than anything else,like following a recipe.

Good luck! I started on laundry soap, too....

 

[Morgaine]

The cost per bar really depends on a lot of stuff. What oils you are using, scents, how much you buy in bulk. Everyone has to work out that for their own recipe. One really high in Shea butter is going to cost more than a 100% olive oil soap. See how much per oz you are paying for your supplies. Then add it to match how much you use in your recipe and then divide that by how many bars your recipe makes.

A beginners recipe I give out is for 3 pounds
50% Olive oil
25% Coconut
25% Palm or Lard

I use a 7% superfat.

It would be in the ball park of $1/bar.

 

[Kassaundra]

Thanks for the replies.

 

[glenolam]

I was steered towards this thread by a friend from SS - never even knew it was here!

I make goat milk soap and am now starting to make laundry detergent but couldn't find Fels Naptha at the store. I haven't looked in more than 1 store but I was wondering if I could use my unscented castille goat milk soap in the meantime. I don't have any "harder" bars; all mine are superfatted anywhere from 8 - 10%. I do have a salt bar but don't think that'd be good to use in the laundry.

 

[Dipsy Doodle Doo]

Hi! I looked for Fels Naptha locally a while back and had no luck.

I've only made boooriiiing soap (by request --- unscented, uncolored, goat milk soap) since before Christmas. I need to make pretty swirly colored soap!
Someody show off some soap and inspire me!

Lisa

 

[Kassaundra]

Quote:
I found Fels Naptha at Wal mart, here.

 

[MSDeb]

Quote:
I found the Fels Naptha at ACE Hardware. The lye too, you have to ask for it and show ID. Seems to me if you have all your teeth and they arn't black, they could skip that step.

 

[Morgaine]

You can also use Zote bars. I can find those at a lot of places around here.

I don't think your own hand made soap will have the same effect becauseit is not a detergent.

 

[glenolam]

Quote:
Here's a few pictures of mine - I'm experimenting more with colors and swirls now - some are good and some are not!