Soaping Recipe Swap

[BirdBrain]

There has been some interest in starting a thread to share our favorite soaping recipes. To get us started, here is my favorite white bar. Of all the bars I have made, this is the one my DH likes best.

BB's Basic White Bar

Castor Oil 5 oz.
Coconut oil (76 degree) 16 oz
Lard 16 oz
Olive 12 oz

I superfat at 5% and discount the water to 28% (of oils) so my water ends up being 13.75 oz and my lye at 7.08. Be sure to run ALL recipes through a lye calculator and if you make this bar, let my know how you like it.

 

[chiknwhisperer]

That sounds like a good bar to use for felting. Nothing so fancy and pretty that you don't want to cover it up. I'll have to try that one. My DH finally used one of my felted bars today and loved it. Thanks for starting the thread. I'll have to share one of mine as well soon.

 

[BirdBrain]

Help me understand....felting is like combining soap and a wash cloth in one?

 

[chiknwhisperer]

yep, you got it. You take carded wool and take small pieces of it and wrap the soap in it. Then you put it under really hot water with a light stream running for as long as you can stand. Turn water off and rub gently in between hands and smooth any loose ends. You can also use something slightly ruff and gently rub it on that to help create that felt look. It's like when you through a really nice cashmere sweater straight into a really hot dryer after washing it in hot water. As you use the soap the wool continuous to shrink with it instead of slipping off so that you can use it til there is no more soap and you can use the left over wool as a wash cloth or something in the shower after your soaps gone. If you want I can send you one of the bars I did. Dh loves it, he thinks it's neat. Mind you I'm not very good at it yet but I am getting better. I would be happy to send you one if you want.

 

[BirdBrain]

I would love that!

 

[chiknwhisperer]

Just PM your addy and I will get one right out to you. Now remember, its not perfect or fancy but I love 'em

 

[chiknwhisperer]

I made one this morning for you. I used one of my small cucumber bars. I think I'm getting better at it. I'll send it off today as soon as it drys. That won't take all that long. Hope you like it. Let me know when you get it though.

 

[chiknwhisperer]

I mailed off your soap today and it should be there in three to five days. Maybe it will be there Saturday. I wrote on the box what kind of soap it is. Don't mind my hand writing. My hands shake pretty bad sometimes, I think it's my medication that does that but I can't stop taking the meds. That part really sucks.

 

[BirdBrain]

Thank you!! I look forward to getting it.

 

[chiknwhisperer]

I'm probably going to try using your soap recipe in a couple of days. Do you ever scent it or anything?