Tuesday, April 10, 2012

blender soapmaking update

{From a tea towel I found recently at a seedy little flea market...isn't it very true?



For those who have asked how the blender soap came out,
I thought I would give an update.
From now on I will be making all my soap this way;
I like the fact that the batches are small--one pound,
the process is fast and simple,
and my first try using the Cole Brothers' blender method has resulted
in a gentle, creamy, mild soap with a nice lather.
The recipe I used was the Vegetable Soap Recipe:
10 oz olive oil
4 oz coconut oil
4 oz crisco
2.5 oz lye
7.2 oz distilled water
and I added:
1 tsp rose essential oil

I ran the recipe through a lye calculator at Soap Calc--it took me a little
time to figure how to use it and it was well worth it.
It also converted the measurements to grams,
which I needed for my scale.
One thing I think I may have done wrong,
was that I decided to add an essential oil,
but didn't run it through the calculator;
that may be why the scent is milder than I
thought it would be.

Since this went so well, I'm trying to decide on the next
soap recipe to try.
Also, I've converted part of the Hoosier cabinet in the kitchen
to hold all my 'supplies'...

And, yesterday I tried a recipe for new body care product--my family has tested it out,
and say it is a definite keeper.
{It's also going to save some of us a bit of money!}
I'll be back with more details...

~Deb

27 comments:

  1. You are the ultimate homemaker, all the things I would like to be!

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  2. Thank you. I make soap in large batches but I will try this way as you have more control and can make lots more 'flavours'.
    i love your posts. We are coming into winter here in Australia
    and that is my work like hell time. I have a huge list to work through.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for the visit Lydia and the kind words. Best wishes with all your 'get ready for winter' chores...Deb

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  3. Karen A.4:57 PM

    Thanks Deb for your little notes and tid bits. I make soap also but is a much bigger batch. Just make it for fun and to give as gifts. This looks fun and easy so am going to give it a try.
    Karen

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    Replies
    1. Karen, I hope you have good results with the blender soap. I was never very satisfied with my soap making before--this method has given me incentive to make more...Deb

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  4. Clare5:37 PM

    Sorry if this is a stupid question, but is it safe to use the blender for food purposes after making soap or do you have a blender dedicated solely to soapmaking. Thanks. This sounds very interesting and not too difficult.

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    Replies
    1. Hi Clare,
      Not a stupid question at all. From what I have read, steel and glass utensils, if carefully cleaned, are safe to use for dual purposes. Since we've acquired a Vita-mix, I'm using my old blender just for soapmaking, so I can't speak on personal experience. If any soap makers out there would like to add any advice, please do ...Deb

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  5. This looks easy and fun, I might try it. I love your soap stand and the crocheted flower 'scrubby'. Good idea to keep all of your supplies in the hoover cabinet. I have the Betty Crocker 'Good and Easy' cookbook and use it for my beef stew and spaghetti sauce recipes. I learned to cook using that sweet little cookbook and found one for each of my children when they moved out on their own! Love your photos! xx

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    1. Thanks Karen, so glad you stopped by!...Deb

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  6. Deb, you always need a lot of essential oil to make it noticeable. I make 3 lb batches and I generally use 1+ oz. Also the surface scent will fade faster with some oils then others but you can still smell it when you use it.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for the advice Elizabeth. Now that I am using the soap, I do notice a nice smell when it lathers up...Deb

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  7. Thanks for this follow-up post, Deb. I have filed these posts as I plan to make this very soon. Your notes and experiences are such a help! Thank you for sharing,
    And I just love your tea towel and it's sweet saying. Isn't that wonderful?

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    Replies
    1. You're welcome--thanks for the visit! ...Deb

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  8. Hi Deb,

    I assume all the solids are measured in weight and the distilled water measured as a liquid, correct? or am I wrong. I really wish to try this as it make a small batch but I want to make sure of the measurements. Thanks! Love the pictures.

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    Replies
    1. Debbie,
      Right, from what I understand, the oils & solids are measured in weight and the water by volume--that's what I did with mine. Best wishes with it...Deb

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  9. This looks gr8! I've been wanting to make bar soap for a long while but haven't tried it yet. This looks like something I could do but I imagine I'd need to get a separate blender for soapmaking.

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    Replies
    1. Joyful,
      I use a separate blender for soapmaking, since I have old one. As I mentioned in a reply above, I have read from other soapmakers that steel and glass, when cleaned well, can serve a dual purpose. I'm hoping an experienced soapmaker will comment on this...Deb

      Delete
  10. Anonymous2:48 AM

    I am wondering what the UK equivalent of Crisco would be?

    Sandie
    Dancing on a Blade of Grass

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    Replies
    1. Hi Sandie,
      I believe any solid vegetable shortening would work. I'm not familiar with what is available in the UK...Deb

      Delete
  11. Thanks for being our GH tester!! I started making a dry laundry soap last year and there is something very satisfying about making it and using it. The tea towel is a treasure - I'd have to frame it I think!

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    Replies
    1. You're welcome Vicki--thanks for the visit...Deb

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  12. I had the same question about using the blender for food after the lye is in it? Thanks- it sounds fun to try! Angela

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I use a separate blender for soapmaking, since I have an old one. As I mentioned in a reply above, I have read from other soapmakers that steel and glass, when cleaned well, can serve a dual purpose. I'm hoping an experienced soapmaker will comment on this...Deb

      Delete
  13. My sister and I have been wanting to try making our own soap, this looks like it would be a good one to try!

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  14. Anonymous7:29 PM

    Hi Deb,

    This looks so neat. I have always wanted to try making soap but have always been afraid of the lye. You always inspire me to try new things!

    I have a question. I looked back to you soap link and the picture shows "Household 100% lye drain opener". Is that what lye is? I assume that you find it in the drain opener section?
    I know this is a silly question but it doesn't burn once it is made into soap?

    Have I told you how much I love your blog. You are an encourager and such and example of a great homemaker.

    Jo

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    Replies
    1. Hi Jo,
      Yes, the lye {and it has to be 100% pure lye} is a drain opener--I find mine at a local hardware store.
      Thanks for the kind words!! ...Deb

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Thank you for taking time to leave a comment--I love reading each and every one! I will try to answer any questions you have in the comment section. Due to the amount of spam, I am sadly no longer able to accept Anonymous comments....Kindly, Deb

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