Does anyone make their own soap?

[ImFree2doasiwant]

I have made my own soap, cold process method, before but wouldn't say I'm experienced.

I'd like to make sone goats milk soap, for a family member, who suffers with dry skin.

Can anyone share a relatively easy recipe? Thanks!

I would love to know this as well. Someone on my FB page uses a slow cooker to make her soap in but is very mysterious about how she does it!

Oh I've heard that before but not tried it. I used a fairly easy recipe , but I believe using milk can be tricky, you need to make sure it doesn't scorch when you add the caustic soda I think.

Fedup21 that sounds like it could possibly be hot process soap making, or could be reusing scraps from previous batches to make a new batch (a lot ot the soap makers are doing this), or possibly using the slow cooker to melt hard fats and oils for a cold process soap.

I might get round to having a go sometime.

Meanwhile, while I decide whether or not to have a go, a couple of links that could help.

For calculating quantities

Second link is the one mentioned in the video.

There was a section of Countryfile last night where someone was making goats milk soap. The caustic soda was added to frozen milk.

Ok I misread this as soup.

For a goat's milk recipe, I haven't found one yet, but I follow Ophelia' Soapery on YouTube, who makes soaps by cold process, and regularly tips in coconut milk. So I reckon cold process would be good for things like various milks.

Depending on the type of milk will change how you use it. Its the fat content that is key when it comes to formulating for soap. Following someone else recipe isn't the best way of doing it unless you have exactly the same ingredients. I would suggest making your own recipe using a Soap Calculator (there are several online).

I make cold process soap, but haven't used milk. I think they advise freezing it in ice cubes sizes so that when you do the lye it doesn't scorch

Yes I have. You have to be careful with the caustic soda. Never done it with milk.

@DelphineWalsh

Depending on the type of milk will change how you use it. Its the fat content that is key when it comes to formulating for soap. Following someone else recipe isn't the best way of doing it unless you have exactly the same ingredients. I would suggest making your own recipe using a Soap Calculator (there are several online).

But wouldn't the fat count toward the superfat %? And any excess will give a moisturising effect.

I've also seen several soap makers using Aloe Vera juice as a substitute for water when mixing the lye solution.

If I had space, I'd be making soaps myself, just no room at the moment.

@GCITC thanks, I'll have a look. Now that you mention it I do recall reading about freezing the milk.

@DelphineWalsh I was kind of hoping for a recipe and method. It's all a bit trial and error isn't it, my other efforts turned out well only had one batch not trace very well due to the essential oils I used in it. Just worried about the scorching and ruining it!