Worker @ Home

This ones for Amy Jo- A soap Recipee.

Amy Jo , Thanks for your interest in making soap. All of homesteaders like "stuff" like this. I found this gem of a book at a Goodwill ,years back. It is A book by Ortho Books..A guide to preserving Food for a "12 months Harvest". A Homesteaders delight indeed! Its filled with gardening tips,freezing,canning, making cheese, cider, soap, and grinfing grain..and more. 

Heres the recipee. "The easiest soap I know"

Mix 5 lbs  of fat(bacon grease is fine) (I used lard from the grocery store)

1 can lye(Red Devil)

6 Qrts cold water

3 TBL borax .....in an enamel pan. Leave  for 48 hr, stirring frequently with a wooden spoon. After 48 hrs heat over a low fire(on top of the stove is fine) until melted. Pour into a shallow box or a heavy and shallow cardboard box lined with a wet cloth.(I used cheese cloth) I let  the edges of the cloth hang over the outside so its easier to pull  the soap out later.

When the  soap is hard , pull it out and cut it into bars using a knife or wire used as a saw.

The soap will last much longer if you store the bars for several weeks before using. I find that homemade   soap las so long I get tired of using the same old bar. It is white(mine turned more yellow with time) has a clean smell and nice to use. I often store it with sachet so it picks up a nice scent. You can also use homemade  for the laundrey. Shred it and dry the falkes in a dehydrator or in a warm place on a screen. It works best in soft water. I like wahing wool for spinning in this homemade soap.

  *I read lots of internet sites about homemade soap to get the general feel of it before I started.

*My husband made a shallow wooden box designated for soap.

*Get an enamel pan,measuring cups and spoons designated for soap. These can be bought at garage sales or goodwills. But make sure you inspect it well. Mine had a hole in it that wasnt visible to the naked eye and my  liquid was leaking all over the table outside.The lye will make it bigger. I would definatly do this outside with a spotter.  

*Lye-I had some fearfull  warnings about its use. so I had a healthy fear. Follow all instructions. Red Devil is the brand that can be used for soaps. It was in the  plumbing section  at Menards or Lowes. My friend said  remember  the lye is like snow falling on the water.  So,  in the order of  mixing ingredients. put the water in first  and then the lye. Dont ask me why, I just did as she said! Something about a dangerous reaction.

Have fun! I found it to be very rewarding.  Next time I I want to add some pine or other good smelling herbs.  

God Bless,

Nettie

Thank you

04:57, Wednesday, January 16, 2008 .. Posted by momma25js

for sharing this recipe.. Amy Jo and I are real life best friends who live close to each other. Maybe she and I can start making soaps and such.. Thank you so much for sharing...
God Bless,
Marcia

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06:02, Wednesday, January 16, 2008 .. Posted by homesteadinthemaking

Is this the soap you use for bathing? Thanks for sharing. We, too, have been researching making soap.
Blessings,
Trixi

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11:12, Wednesday, January 16, 2008 .. Posted by gabbie427

Nettie,

Thank you for posting this recipe and the information here. I appreciate it so much. I will print out this post for my use later!!!

God's Blessings,
Amy Jo

Thanks for the soap recipe

11:17, Wednesday, January 16, 2008 .. Posted by Marseeya

Thanks for the recipe. Have you ever tried to scent this soap? I was wondering if it could have essential oil (say orange) added to give a little fragrance?

Marcia