soap making essentials

I am trying my hand at making cold process soap. I am using Soybean and Olive oils. The bars are not really getting as hard as I wanted and they still feel a little greasy. What am I doing wrong?

It’s probably not the type of oil you are using at all. You need to double check your soap recipe again and make sure that you used the exact amounts of lye and oil and water called for (check a lye calculator also to make sure the amount listed in the recipe seems right.)

Recheck your scales too. Did you make sure to set them back to zero when you put the your containers holding your lye, etc.? This is an easy mistake to make–and I have!

Did you let your lye solution cool down to 100 F before you added your oils which should have been at the same temperature? Two thermometers is helpful.

Olive oil is a monounsaturated fat and they take a lot longer to reach trace than other oils. Are you sure that your mix actually reached trace? You can remelt it and try again if it just doesn’t harden, although the texture might be a little different. Just grate it and melt it in a crockpot. If you realized that your lye calculation was a bit short at this time, dissolve it into a little bit of cold water first. Of course, allow it to cool down before adding. Make sure to stir the batch once in a while during the remelting.

Lastly, the soap will continue to harden as it cures, Give it at least two weeks before you call the batch a failure. Keep trying and you’ll get the hang of it!

You might try dampening all the little pieces, press together and let dry. I never end up with left over soap as I just stick the old soap sliver to the new soap the first time I use a new bar. The next time you use the two, they will be permanently bonded. Good for you for not just tossing them out.

We want to make homemade soap but most recipes call for tallow. I did not like making the tallow. Can anyone help? Any other recipes that make white soap would be wonderful! Thanks!

Below is a Good basic recipe that is easy to measure because you use a standard 3# can of Crisco as a base.

*Rachael’s "Tried and True" Recipe (Thanks! to Rachael Levitan)
48 ounces Crisco (a 3-pound can)
21 ounces Soybean Oil (or Olive, Canola, or a blend of these)
18 ounces Coconut Oil
28 ounces of cold water
12 ounces lye crystals
Temperatures: 100 degrees

Trace by hand should be in about 20 minutes. Cure about 24-48 hours before cutting.

This recipe comes from Kathy Millers website : http://www.millersoap.com

THis is the 1st and only recipe i’ve used – as it has oils that I can find locally. Kathy also has other recipes on her site as well as successfully hints and helps for making milk soaps, where to find lye, scents, colorants, ect., a trouble shooting page, soapy success page and much much more.

I personally don’t know how sounds like it would be fun and also a nice gift, but I did find this site for you and it for beginners!!!
www.SoapMakingFun.com Good luck!!!

i have seen a dove soap that says exfoliate . but will it make my skin lighter?

Not really. You can try soaps that contain papaya, that is a natural exfoliant But you are better off making your own papaya scrub.

Essential oils, dyes, sodium hydroxide, etc. Is there a single source or do I have to go running all over creation?

I’d try calling your local craft stores to see if they have what you’re looking for. You could also try searching online. Not sure what area you’re in, but found one place you might like. Good Luck! : )

Kitchen cabinets, furniture, perfume, even candles and air fresheners – they can all contribute to the air pollution in our homes.

Dr. Bernard Hamel, former Director for the Institute for Environmental Studies at Drexil University, estimates that the levels of potentially deadly toxins in the average American home may be five times greater than the level of toxic pollutants found in the dirtiest city air.

Indoor air pollution poses a far greater risk to our health than outdoor pollution. Exposure to tobacco smoke, structural materials, mold, and even simple household dust can make us sick.

Biological contaminants such as mold and mildew allow disease-carrying pollutants to reproduce and spread their spores throughout the air. Toxic chemicals found in air fresheners, as well as average cleaning and grooming supplies can also be hazardous when build-up occurs in poorly ventilated rooms. Even the glue that holds 90% of today’s furniture together contains formaldehyde, which may cause nausea, headaches, lethargy and breathing problems in some people.

Another concern is lead paint, asbestos and radon, which were used in most homes, built before the 1980’s. Odorless, colorless and tasteless, these are all substances that are impossible to detect without proper testing.

When trying to safeguard your home against indoor pollution, follow these simple tips:

-Use pump bottles for cleaning supplies instead of spray cans. They spray less fumes and are easier to direct.

-Add more ventilation, or simply open your doors and windows more often to help air out the indoor pollution.

-Hire environmental testers to check for things like radon, lead and asbestos.

-Use “green” cleaning products. They’re cheaper and easy to make. Try these recipes for some common household cleaning jobs:

All Purpose Cleaner:
-1 qt. warm water
-1 tsp. liquid hand soap
-1/4 tsp. lemon juice

Works well on floors, countertops, rugs and upholstery

Oven Cleaner:
Cover grime with baking soda. Spray with water until wet, keeping dry for 3-4 hours. Let sit overnight. In the morning wipe clean with clear water.

Furniture Polish:
-1 pt. mineral oil
-1 tsp. lemon juice

Caustic household cleaners and chemicals ma be the #1 source of acute human exposure to toxic substances, according to research done by the American Association of Poison Control Centers. They make us sick and they damage the environment. When you have to use a caustic substance around your home, remember two important tips:

-Know how to use them properly: Always use caustic chemicals and cleaners in a well-ventilated area. Use an air mask if possible.

-Know how to dispose of them properly: Improper disposal of household cleaners, paints and other chemicals is the main source of toxic pollution in the United States today.

Follow these tips when getting rid of your household chemicals:

-Never pour any hazard household substance down the drain.

-Keep original containers for ingredient lists and storage.

-Take lids off paint and let dry prior to disposing.

-Take all chemical containers to your local hazardous waste site for disposal.

Matthew Hick
http://www.articlesbase.com/environment-articles/air-pollution-your-house-may-be-harming-your-family-131950.html

Good health is important for both physical and emotional well being. Being healthy means that your body and mind function as they are supposed to. In fact good health is necessary for longevity. So, you should avoid ill health. To remain healthy, one of the important things you have to do is that you have to drink lots of pure water. The importance of water in our life can be known from the fact that over 70% of our body consists of water. There are many types of water filters available in the market. One of the popular kinds of water filters for domestic use is the whole house water filters.

The benefits of whole house water filters are immense. By filtering all of the water that enters your home, you not only enhance the healthfulness of your household water but you also dramatically improve your indoor air quality. And if you look into one of the reports of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), it says, “Every home in America has an elevated level of chloroform gas present due to the vaporization of chlorine from tap and shower water.” Chlorine vapors are thought to be one of the causes of respiratory problems such as asthma, bronchitis and allergies. If filtered water is consumed regularly, it will surely improve every aspect of your family’s health.

The whole house water filters removes chlorine and other chemical tastes/odor plus dirt/sediments making water cleaner, clearer and safer for your whole house. This filter has even the ability to remove chlorine from the water used in dish water; in the process it prevents chlorine vapors from being released into the air and reduces soap scum on dishes. In addition, it also protects your appliances, fixtures and pipelines. These premium whole house inline filters are usually placed in the main water line entering the home and generally have capacities to filter 10,000 – 100,000 gallons of water before you have to change the cartridge.

To sum up, it can be said with confidence that whole house water filter is the only true effective filter. It filters water at even low temperatures to facilitate the removal of chlorine and other chemicals. Enjoy every minute of your life with whole house water filters!

Good health is important for both physical and emotional well being. Being healthy means that your body and mind function as they are supposed to. In fact good health is necessary for longevity. So, you should avoid ill health. To remain healthy, one of the important things you have to do is that you have to drink lots of pure water. The importance of water in our life can be known from the fact that over 70% of our body consists of water. There are many types of water filters available in the market. One of the popular kinds of water filters for domestic use is the whole house water filters.

The benefits of whole house water filters are immense. By filtering all of the water that enters your home, you not only enhance the healthfulness of your household water but you also dramatically improve your indoor air quality. And if you look into one of the reports of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), it says, “Every home in America has an elevated level of chloroform gas present due to the vaporization of chlorine from tap and shower water.” Chlorine vapors are thought to be one of the causes of respiratory problems such as asthma, bronchitis and allergies. If filtered water is consumed regularly, it will surely improve every aspect of your family’s health.

The whole house water filters removes chlorine and other chemical tastes/odor plus dirt/sediments making water cleaner, clearer and safer for your whole house. This filter has even the ability to remove chlorine from the water used in dish water; in the process it prevents chlorine vapors from being released into the air and reduces soap scum on dishes. In addition, it also protects your appliances, fixtures and pipelines. These premium whole house inline filters are usually placed in the main water line entering the home and generally have capacities to filter 10,000 – 100,000 gallons of water before you have to change the cartridge.

To sum up, it can be said with confidence that whole house water filter is the only true effective filter. It filters water at even low temperatures to facilitate the removal of chlorine and other chemicals. Enjoy every minute of your life with whole house water filters!

shallyparkar
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/whole-house-water-filters-welcome-life-at-each-step-130110.html

by Rita for BoomerYearbook.com, December, 2008 – I am dreaming of a Green Christmas…as it’s very rare to experience a white Christmas in Spain.  However, green is in, and here are some tips to help make this an environmentally friendly festive season…

Christmas Tree

If you are aiming for an environmentally friendly Christmas, one of the first things you should do is decide NOT to have a Christmas tree.  It sounds drastic, but plastic trees are not biodegradable and real trees, while they originate from sustainable sources, are often treated with chemical pesticides, which are harmful to the environment.

First of all, question the reason why you want a Christmas tree.  Yes, it looks attractive and adds festive cheer, but it is also traditionally the place under which presents are kept.  If you are feeling the pressure from your family to put up a tree, try reassuring them that they will still get their presents, but this year you are going to think of a more original place to store them.  How about reverting the time-honored stocking? Or making a treasure hunt with clues, so that everyone has to find their gifts?

If you are determined to have a tree this year, then the best option really is a genuine one.  Although, do try and purchase it as locally as possible, so that it has not had to travel in a CO2-belching truck for miles on end (this rule should be applied to every purchase you make, from food to Christmas presents).  If you can get one with roots that are compatible with the soil in your back garden – even better – then you can re-plant it after Christmas (as long as you don’t leave it standing inside for longer than a week).

If you are a gardener, then after the festive season, you should consider using your Christmas tree to make compost; eventually it will decompose into a nutrient-rich mulch that you can use to feed other plants in your garden.

Tasty Decorations

The ultimate in recyclable decorations are edible ornaments.  Nothing goes to waste because you get to eat them after (or during) Christmas. Bake dough biscuits, which are sticky in texture, as opposed to crumbly, and make a small hole about one cm from the edge and thread a thin, colored ribbon through the hole.  you can then tie the ribbon so it forms a loop and hand the biscuit from the tree.  If you are worried about the biscuit drying out, simply wrap it in cling film before you thread the ribbon through.

Lighting Up

These days we should all be turning off the standby button on our electrical appliances at home. Household lighting accounts for approximately 15 percent of electricity used, and Christmas tree lights left on for 10 hours a day over the 12 days of Christmas produce enough carbon dioxide to blow up 12 balloons.  You can save money on electricity by cutting down on consumption at Christmas.  This does not mean giving up the fairy lights, but instead, choose LEDs (light-emitting diodes) as opposed to incandescent bulbs for adding that Christmas twinkle.  They are pricier, but they use between 80 to 90 percent less energy than conventional bulbs.  An added bonus is that LED’s stay cool to the touch and so are less of a fire hazard and also won’t burn your finger.

It’s a Wrap

Christmas is a time when paper is wasted in incredible amounts. According to an online article published in the Guardian.co.uk in December 2006, 8,000 tons of paper are wasted each year, which is equivalent to 50,000 trees.  We agree that no one wants to receive their presents wrapped in old newspaper, but there are more creative means to disguise a gift without having to buy new wrapping.

Use paper shopping bags and decorate them with old video or cassette tape in place of ribbon, for a vintage look (you can curl the tape with scissors, as you would a ribbon).  Forage in your junk drawer and use old bits of string, shoe laces or anything you can find that’s long enough to tie round a box.

Give two presents in one, use a shawl, tablecloth or another item of clothing to wrap up other gifts.  The outer layer won’t be a surprise, but what’s inside will be, and you will get extra points for generosity (two gifts in one) and creativity! Another alternative is to buy recycled paper, which is available at the click of a button online – and you can also get the trimmings.

Here is another way to look at Christmas gifts: do your gifts have to be solid items that need wrapping? You can treat friends and family to virtual gifts vouchers or buy them downloads for music websites. A novel idea is to buy gifts fro those who are really in need. Visit www.oxfam.org.uk and see their “Oxfam Unwrapped” page where you can buy really useful presents, in all shapes and sizes, for people in need all over the world. Items include bars of soap, bags of seeds, donkeys and training courses for farmers and fishermen.  This is an ingenious way to really make a difference.

Sending Christmas cards obviously uses a lot of paper.  In Britain, estimates say that 1.7 billion Christmas cards are sent each year; the equivalent of 200 000 trees! And of these, about one million Christmas cards are thrown away each year.  Needless to say, it is far better to recycle your cards, or choose to send an e-card or text message instead.  this is also cheaper.

Tasty Turkey

A huge amount of turkeys end up on the dining room table at Christmas: figures show that 10 million are consumed in the UK.  We recommend that you try and buy an organic turkey, which will have been raised in humane conditions and consequently, will be much tastier.  Shopping locally will cost less than buying from the supermarket, although, in Spain this might be more difficult given that turkey is not a traditional Spanish festive food.  Approach your local butcher early to improve your chances of getting a tasty turkey.  We hope these tips are useful and that you enjoy a GREEN FESTIVE CHRISTMAS

Seeking more tips? Come join boomeryearbook.com

www.boomeryearbook.com is a social networking site connecting the Baby Boomer generation. Share your thoughts, rediscover old friends, or expand your mind with brain games provided by clinical psychologist Dr. Karen Turner. Join today to discover the many ways we are helping Boomers connect for fun and profit.

SEM Expert
http://www.articlesbase.com/shopping-articles/i-am-dreaming-of-a-green-christmas-682644.html

Beeswax begins its journey on the flowers you see in the spring and summer dotting the highway… and even on the flowers in your front yard. The nectar the bees collect is taken back to their hive for food, among other things. The bees process the nectar into honey. Honey is their main food source, with any excess being stored in the hive for leaner months when food is scarce. Today I want to educate you about the other use for honey: its conversion into beeswax.

For as long as there have been honey bees, humans have consumed their honey and used the beeswax for everything from medicines to coin of the realm. People have used it to make beauty products, art, and even candles. At many points in human history it has ultimately been used as a currency. The process of making beeswax is more complex than an oil refinery that makes petroleum-based products.

Beeswax is essential to the bee colony. It’s the honeybee that produces beeswax – in particular, the worker bees (always females) that use the wax to build their honeycombs. They have special glands on the underside of the abdomen that secrete the wax, which extrudes from the glands on their legs as a transparent liquid that the bees then chew and press into the cells of their honeycomb. When the beeswax dries it turns into a hard, white substance, although because of the presence of pollen it is often yellowish, or even red. Beeswax also darkens with age and use, for example, when bees are raising a brood. The color has no physical effect on the quality of the wax itself, merely an aesthetic one.

Because of the way the beeswax is made, it often smells like honey… if your beeswax has a “chemical” or “medicinal” odor, it has probably been altered by the humans processing it. Bleaching used to be very popular, but has been abandoned because customers demand 100% purity in their beeswax; and discerning customers can tell the difference.

Beekeepers have gathered beeswax since the beginning of recorded history and farther back – but even after millennia, it’s still a labor-intensive process. The wax is collected from the hive by beekeepers using smoke to make the bees more docile. It’s safer for the bees this way; the smoke is not to protect the beekeeper, nor does it harm the bees in any way. It is then melted down and fashioned into “cakes”. These cakes are very durable, and have been traded for centuries by many cultures as a long-lasting commodity. In some parts of the world beeswax is still the most readily available type of wax, used for many different purposes from healthcare to gardening. It is very pliable and weatherproof. Usable beeswax has even been found in tombs!

Throughout the ages, beeswax has played a significant role in history and folk lore. As one goes back in time, the list of its uses becomes even longer and its significance more pronounced. The importance of honey production in ancient times was often secondary to the production of beeswax. Fines were levied and taxes paid in beeswax as recently as the 17th century. 

Even in modern times beeswax finds many uses and applications:

• Candle-making
• Lip balms (a recipe for this is provided at the bottom of this article, free of charge)
• Cosmetics
• Medicinal creams
• Waterproofs shoes, fishing lines
• Lubricant for doors, windows, tools
• Wax for skis, toboggans, bow strings
• Creates a freely moving surface on irons and frying pans
• Furniture polish
• soap making
• Beard and mustache wax
• Grafting wax
• Crayons
• Sealing on jams and jellies
• Reconstructive surgery
• Leather waterproofing
• Embalming procedures
• Dental procedures
• Polishes
• Wood filler
• Tack cloth

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I’ve included a beeswax lip balm recipe below, or you can check out our lip balms at www.NeeNeesSoapShop.com.  Thanks for reading!

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Beeswax Lip Balm Recipe

Basically, proportions will be as follows:

40% of your recipe should be any cosmetic grade oil that is liquid at room temperature (sweet almond, apricot kernel, avocado, grapeseed, hemp seed, macadamia, olive, sunflower, etc.)

25% of your recipe should be any cosmetic grade oil that is solid at room temperature (coconut, lanolin, palm, mango butter, shea butter, etc.)

20% of your recipe should be cosmetic grade Beeswax (white or yellow, pellets or solid blocks)

15% of your recipe should be any cosmetic grade oil that is brittle at room temperature (cocoa butter, palm kernel, etc.)

* The above measurements are “weights”, so you can calculate your own recipe in ounces, grams, or pounds.

Directions: melt all carrier oils, honey, beeswax and butters over low heat. Allow the mixture to cool slightly, then add the flavored oils, essential oils, vitamin E, etc. Stir until all ingredients are blended well and pour into containers. The easiest way to do this, is to purchase those inexpensive “pointy” paper drink cups (like the kind on the side of a water cooler). Cut off the point and use it as a funnel. Then you can just toss them out when you’re finished!

You may have to “play around” with this recipe by adding a tiny bit more or less of the beeswax pellets. As with any of these recipes, if it comes out too soft, add a few more beeswax pellets; if it’s too hard, add a little more almond oil (or other oil). They’re really hard to mess up, so enjoy yourself and have fun.

Renee Vailes
http://www.articlesbase.com/skin-care-articles/beeswax-facts-a-spa-quality-beauty-treatment-746471.html