Yes, indeed I have made soap. The old-fashioned way using beef tallow that I've rendered out myself and Red Devil Lye makes me feel that I've really put my womanly senses to good use. Once you've gotten all the rendering and setting up of scales, containers, and utensils, it really isn't all that much work. I've never had to leach wood ashes to make my own lye though, and I'd imagine that's a bit on the "iffy" side anyway, and much more time consuming.
There is a great pleasure in knowing how to do things from scratch whether it be making candles, soap or baking and decorating a 3-layer Daffodil cake.
My 3 daughters love my soap...even for their long hair, and when I give soap to them, they always ask for extra to share with friends who are a little envious of them for having a mother who knows how to do all these special things.
If you're thinking of making soap yourself, be sure to study first...learn the basics, then pick out one of the most simple recipes, and do it. Majestic Mountain Sage has a website with a lye calculator which you can depend on and trust as long as you follow the directions exactly. They also sell excellent soap-making supplies and there are great FREE recipes offered at the website for all kinds of really good soap. http://www.the-sage.com/calcs/lyecalc.html
It might be a little scary at first, but if you keep all the children and pets locked out of the kitchen, and follow all safety instructions, you'll do just fine. Remember, only the first time is difficult. From then on, you'll be a veteran soap-maker, and the world is your limit.
I have made soap several times, and using different scents.I always get an "old fashioned" feeling after my batch has been checked, and it is cooling. Doing this today, although it is something special for me, when years ago it was a chore of everyday life. It is not hard to make soap, but everything has to be precise in measure and in the timing.What a sense of satisfaction I feel when I use a bar that I have made.
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