Luffa's

Hello dear friends!
I tell you, the weather has been rough around here... our garden has suffered. It hasn't helped that Shannon and I have not been ourselves either.  We are thankful for what we have been able to get out of the garden, what we have been able to preserve for the winter. One thing that is doing quite beautifully though is my Luffa's.  Dear Rhonda Jean sent me a package of seeds when we had a swap and I am so excited to harvest these once they have dried.
Silly as it may sound, I always thought luffas were a type of sponge from the sea. I had NO idea it was something to grow in the garden.
Her site has some great info on how to prepare these for use.
You let these dry on the vine and then once dried you can harvest the seed and peel the skin.  Then you soak them in a bit of bleach water and let them dry... after dried they are ready for use or for gift giving.
I would love to get my own soap made so I could give a gift of soap and luffa. 
But I am having a terrible time trying to find lye.  Any ideas where I can buy this.  I have tried Lowes, Home Depot, Walmart... I can't find it. 
Thanks for your visit.  May God bless you and your Homestead.
My Cup Runneth Over...Chas

08:37 - Wednesday, August 20, 2008 - post comment

LYE

You can find lye at a "hobby" type store, if you have a Michaels, or Hobby Lobby.

Anonymous - 09:39 - Wednesday, August 20, 2008

---

Untitled Comment

I too thought they came from the water, until I saw them in a seed catalog. I guess that's what I get for living so far from the earth all my life! Please post as to how your soap making journey progresses. Making lye based soap is on my "to do" list, but I'm cautious about the lye.
Good stewardship to ya!
Naise

Naise - 10:58 - Wednesday, August 20, 2008

---

lye

I get my lye at Lowes it is called Roebic Crystal Drain Opener. Make sure your read the label that it says 100% Sodium hydroxide (caustic soda). It is in the drain section at my Lowes. I have also ordered it online to pick up in the store. A 2 lb. container costs about $7-8. Soap making is so much fun, enjoy!
God Bless,
Kristen

bkearls - 10:59 - Wednesday, August 20, 2008

---

Untitled Comment

Hi Chas! I grew luffas this year, too! I keep meaning to post about them, but just haven't had the time to yet. As for the lye, I buy mine from Lehman's. (www.lehmans.com) It was on backorder for the longest time, but now I see that they have it again. :-)

Amy

stitchnchick - 01:19 - Wednesday, August 20, 2008

---

Untitled Comment

Another good source for Lye is Lehman's. They have soap making kits and the individual products.
Blessings,
Trixi

homesteadinthemaking - 03:30 - Wednesday, August 20, 2008

---

That's really neat Chas

I had seen the seeds before, but hadn't seen how they actually "grow". Very cool!

You can also check http://www.soapsgonebuy.com/ for lye.

UnlikelyHomesteader - 04:10 - Wednesday, August 20, 2008

---

Untitled Comment

Happy Birthday, Shannon!

Wendy M. - 05:22 - Wednesday, August 20, 2008

---

Untitled Comment

Well, color me red! I could have sworn that I read it was Shannon's birthday today. ???

Anyway, I hope you can find your lye.

Wendy M. - 05:27 - Wednesday, August 20, 2008

---

Untitled Comment

I buy my lye online. We found a store on Ebay that sells it for a great price. Just be sure that when you do find lye that you do not buy drain opener. That has several different chemicals in it and can be very hazardous to your health!
Your luffas look great. I wanted to get some planted but never got around to it. Maybe next year.

PS- I am having a giveaway at my blog- http://yestheyareallmine.wordpress.com. Stop by and enter in!!

Rhen - 09:31 - Thursday, August 21, 2008

---

Lye

I get my lye from any small town hardware store. If they don't have it in stock, they'll probably order it for you. Also check any Amish or German Baptist (the ones without electricity) stores, they usually make their own soap and always have this in stock and reasonably priced too!

Don't let the lye scare you, do use caution, but I let my fear hold me back for so long. Once I did it, it was a breeze. Do invest in one of those stick hand blenders though!

Good Luck!

Ranch hand - 02:33 - Saturday, August 23, 2008

---

soap

I was just at one of the large crafting stores and saw bricks of glycerin(?) that you can melt and add colors or scents to. I have a magazine article that shows loofa with that type of soap poured over it and then cut into slices. You might try that option instead of the lye.

The following week, my son came home with a loofa soap slice from gardening class! It's too sweet to use. He also brought home seeds to start his own plants next year.

christine- asimplequilter

Anonymous - 03:01 - Wednesday, August 27, 2008

---