Soap Making

[Tyke]

The past couple of months I've been looking at the possibility of making my own soap for both personal use and also to generate a small bit of extra income. I've gotten recipes and understand the basics of the chemistry. I would most likely start out with a very basic soap (olive oil for the fat). I understand it's cheaper to stick with the store bought stuff...but lately I've been shunning processed foods and the like...and I figured why not branch out?

As I live in a fairly small apartment, available space is limited. I imagine that I would be able to do 5 pound batches and cut them into 4 oz bars (20 bars in total). Doing a bit of math, it looks like my material cost for a 5lb batch of a simple olive oil soap would be $12.52 ($0.31/bar). I already buy olive oil in 101oz containers or larger and that's how I'm basing my oil cost. Before I embark upon this little project, I was hoping those with some experience would provide guidance.

1. Do you notice a difference between your soaps and store bought? "Work" better? Feel better? I.E. Will I notice a positive difference compared to store bought and, if possible, how much of one?
2. The labor seems to be fairly easy. Any pitfalls/dumb things to avoid doing?
3. Is selling it truly a viable option or is that a pipe dream?
4. If sold, do you know how much I am opening myself up to stupid litigation?
5. Any pointers/tips that you wish someone else gave to you before you learned them the hard way?

If it works out well the first time I would keep making batches and expand it out into more than just basic soap.

 

[WBspectrum]

didn't I see this in Fight Club?

 

[Tyke]

didn't I see this in Fight Club?

I wish I would be able to sell it for $20/bar!

 

[WBspectrum]

I wish I would be able to sell it for $20/bar!

Start getting to know the local Plastic Surgeons and grab the liposuction tailings

 

[JuergenG]

[*]If sold, do you know how much I am opening myself up to stupid litigation?

You'll learn about this once Feinstein has sued you for her wrinkles.

On a more serious note, would the FDA have a saying in this?
If positive, I wouldn't touch it (other than for personal use) with oven gloves.

 

[MisterHappy]

Personally, I'd make a batch or two, to see how it works for you.
Then, I'd talk to local "crafter" types, such as those that sell at farmers' markets to get intel.

If it seems viable, then I'd go and get more info.


Not to be Captain Bringdown, but think about this: at one time, not that long ago, everyone knew how to make soap; but they switched to factory-made. The cost/benefit breakdown made it worthwhile. Now, if you enjoy the craft, or have special needs that can be met only by DIY, that's one thing. But when I buy soap, I go with the lowest unit price.

It's like shotshell reloading - currently, it's cheaper to buy the promo loads than to roll your own with the prices for lead, etc; and that's not counting time.

 

[Fishercat]

We used to make soap for fun when I was a kid using rendered beef tallow. Mom and dad were 70s Back to the Earth types.
We always made it outside in a pot over a propane burner, not indoors but that might have been because of the tallow smell.
Lye is pretty caustic. Use safety gear when handling it. Eyes and hands.

 

[KBCraig]

I made soap with my grandmother when I was a kid, using lard and lye. She used it for everything -- bathing, dishes, laundry...

I saved up a bunch of bacon fat to give it a go, but I haven't gotten around to it yet.

 

[MrsWildweasel]

I have made soap. You really need to do this outside because of the lye.

 

[NHAtHeart]

You have peaked my interested, my wife and I are going to try this once the weather clears up. I'm going to make my own lye to use with it as well.

 

[jmjkd]

If you make soap old school think about which fat you want to use, tallow or lard it makes a difference, and once you use the pot you can not use it again for cooking food. Good luck it's fun but it takes time...

 

[MrsWildweasel]

I have all separate utensils etc just for soap making.

 

[coastie]

If you go the animal fat route you have to render it which you cant do indoors. If you have kids around be very careful with the lye. Wear good PPE as the stuff will ruin your day. I have done it with both animal and vegetable fats. Good thing to learn but we just use storebought or from the farmers market. I try to keep at least 2 years worth on hand. The thing with something like soapmaking for personal use is you can easily make a year or 2 worth in a short period of time. Soap gets better as it ages also. Learn how to make lye as well. Diluted it can be used as a cleaner for a lot of things. One thing to remember with making soap after TSHTF is that you are using fats that could otherwise be eaten.

 

[Kid Presentable]

My ex co-worker started up her own soap company and has small batches in stores around RI and southeast MA. She does soap making classes outta her work shop. PM me for info if you wanna learn/pick her brain.