Hobby or Second Income Homemade Soaps, Sundry, and Remedy Recipes

Originally posted by imnothereru
reply to post by Destinyone

 

I made my first ever batch of apple soap today and well, it went really well apart from the fact it nearly set in my saucepan, and i panicked trying to get it out and into the moulds

Note to ones self never try and colour soap with natural food colouring ... green goes red !! that i didnt know

Congratulations on your apple soap. Bet it smells yummy. You found out the hard way, never use food coloring for making soaps. It will stain your skin or clothing, depending how much you use.

I almost never use any colorings in my products, but when i do...I recommend Crafter's Choice brand soap colorants.

They are safe, and very cost effective. Here is a link to the one's I keep on hand for special soaps.

A tiny bit goes a long long way....you can also look at the other colorants on the link Wonderful site for buying soap making products.

Enjoy your hand made soap! Wish I had been there to see you rushing before it set up....been there many a time myself. Did you breathe that sigh of relief after you got it into the molds.....Can you post a photo of your yummy apple soap? Would love to see it.

Today I'm making sea weed/kelp enzyme exfoliating soap...I'll post a photo later when it is dry. Also made a batch of dead sea salt, eucalyptus, nourishing mineral soap....

www.wholesalesuppliesplus.com...

Des

reply to post by Destinyone


hey destiny i have a photo of it but its still in the moulds at the moment, we added dried petals to it as well , and yes i did breathe a sigh of relief when it came out the pan. thought i was going to be cutting it into odd shape bars from the saucepan



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thanks for the links its very useful

This may sound silly, but another alternative to color is crayons.
I break up a crayon, add it to about 6 or 7 tablespoons of olive or sunflower oil and melt it in the microwave. It will harden up a bit if you let it set too long, but a good stirring will loosen it back up. Then I just add it as I am doing my last bit of mixing with the hand mixer. Actually works quite well.
BTW, I have only used Crayola, not sure how the off brands would work. I tried it just because I use it in my beeswax candles and it works well so I thought, why not?

Originally posted by chiefsmom
This may sound silly, but another alternative to color is crayons.
I break up a crayon, add it to about 6 or 7 tablespoons of olive or sunflower oil and melt it in the microwave. It will harden up a bit if you let it set too long, but a good stirring will loosen it back up. Then I just add it as I am doing my last bit of mixing with the hand mixer. Actually works quite well.
BTW, I have only used Crayola, not sure how the off brands would work. I tried it just because I use it in my beeswax candles and it works well so I thought, why not?

Hi Chiefsmom. I've read of using crayons before, but never tried it. My only crayon using child is now 33 and doesn't do much coloring any more.....so none around. I love to experiment, so I'll pick a box up to play with. This is a good tip you posted. I love hearing of creative new ideas., at least new to me.

Thanks...

Des

reply to post by imnothereru


Thanks for posting a pic of your lovely apple soaps.

I clicked on the thumbnail pic, and the larger pic shows how delightful your apple soap really is! It looks so luxurious with the petals. I bet you are popular at Christmas....What kind of petals did you use. I use many kinds of herbs, grains and flowers in soaps. Dried citrus peel, course ground, makes excellent exfoliating soap. I also use whole lavender buds

Des

Originally posted by Destinyone

Originally posted by chiefsmom
I was wondering if anyone else here, that uses homemade soap, has noticed that their bathtub/shower stays cleaner longer? I mean no soap scum rings and the like? I guess that is a bonus right there since that is one of my most hated cleaning jobs.

I hadn't thought of that. Indeed I don't have that icky soap scum build-up. Mostly use my peppermint oil soap in the tub, it leaves the surface squeaky clean. Thanks for the insight.

Also, in another thread on dealing with mice...I posted about how peppermint oil is a first class rodent repellant. You can take a Q-tip or cotton ball, dip in peppermint oil, rub along the inside of cabinet drawers...repeat about every 3 weeks. I live in a rural woodsy area, get pesky mice when it snows. The kittiy mouse patrol takes care of them outside, but when it gets freezing cold in the winter, they do try to invade my warm house.

Smells nice no mice

excerpt from link listed below.

Mice
Peppermint Oil or Citronella: Fend off a rodent invasion by placing cotton balls soaked in oil of peppermint or citronella around your home’s foundation, at the spot where you suspect mice are getting in.

This link leads to a site that lists all the natural essential oils that repels insects and rodents..and more!

Be Bug-Free, Naturally!
If you’re looking for an alternative to chemicals and pesticides to keep creepy crawlers at bay, Mother Nature has a few tricks up her sleeve. Give these a try

www.quickandsimple.com...

Des

edit on 13-2-2012 by Destinyone because: (no reason given)

Another thing that works the best on catching rodents, just get a cat. I live next to several fields and my two cats outside make sure that no mice get in the house. Any rodents that can run that gauntlet have to then deal with the deaf cat that stays in the house. I haven't had to set mice traps in years.

A couple of things non soap related that I remember my grandparents doing alot were these.

1.) A little snuff on a wasp or hornet bite will help draw the poison out and soothe it almost immediately.

2.) A tablespoon of apple cidar vinegar helps acid reflux.

3.) Chewing on a piece of honeycomb helps calm anxiety and helps an insomniac to get to sleep at night.

4.) Boiling a little pine sap makes a tea that soothes arthritus and joint pain.

5.) My Grandad never used toothpaste or even a toothbrush! he would sit outside on the porch after supper/breakfast and clean his teeth with a pocketknife and a handkerchief. He had all his teeth when he died too.

I think the best way to learn about DIY type stuff is to sit down and talk with someone whos lived through the great depression. Those people know how to make do alright. I'm convinced that if something like the great depression happened now people would be absolutely clueless as to how to provide anything for themselves because they've all been living the good life just being able to buy it at the store for so long. Nice thread OP, S and F for you.

reply to post by Cancerwarrior


I remember the little bit of wet snuff on a wasp sting. It really works. The nicotine draws the, as my Uncle Claud used to say. pizon out.

Man, I do worry about people who's whole existence has been one of, you need it....go to the store and buy it. So many home remedies are what the commercial, store bought products, were developed from. They come in so useful in this economy. I can't tell you how much money I've saved making many of the products I use. Making stuff my own use, has led me to starting a home based business.

Tooth whitening...baking soda with a dash of salt. Removes coffee and tobacco stains post haste.

Thanks for joining in Cancerwarrior....keep the tips coming. I'm afraid if things don't make a massive turn in our society, we'll be on our own for many things.

Des

Are you looking for those unusual. harder to find herbal seeds for planting. I'm ordering some valerian * Valeriana Officinalis* seeds for herbal, medicinal use. This site has a great selection of herbal remedy seeds at good pricing.

Nature's Valium which is made from Valeriana Officinalis.

Happy planting.....Des

HR00097 ANTHOS
Valerian Seeds
Valeriana officinalis

Anthos exhibits superior medicinal traits when compared to common valerian. Contains extra high levels of essential oils bornyl acetate, valepotriate (the calming ingredient) and valerianic acid. The roots are higher-yielding than common valerian, and plants are more uniform in growth. Roots are used to treat nervous tension, migraine headaches and insomnia.

Umbels of exceptionally fragrant white to light lavender-pink flowers appear in early to midsummer and are a terrific addition to mixed bouquets. Plants grow to 3-4 feet tall and when given plenty of sun do not need support. A winter hardy perennial to zone 4.

www.swallowtailgardenseeds.com...

Kind of off-track but my idea for making a "living" afterwards is to be the "pizza/bread guy"
I built a wood-fired oven and it is on a small trailer, all I need to crank out delicious cheese pizzas would be flour, water, salt, yeast and a goat (for milk to make the cheese).



Would you barter some soap for delicious home-made pizzas and flat breads?

reply to post by Thunderheart


That is an awesome setup you've made. Bet you can cook a lot more than just pizza in it. Very innovative !!!

Speaking of goats...Gracie had a little girl about 2 hours ago. Here's mom and kid...doing well. Kid weighs in at 52 oz. or, 3.2 lbs. Pygmy baby goats are tiny.....and so dang cute.

I'm so glad Gracie birthed a girl kid. More milk, more soap. Looks like I'll be trading some goat milk and soap for pizza.



So you can see that precious face....





Des

AWWW!

I've been trying to get my husband to agree to a goat for a year now! I'm almost to the point of just getting it and letting him be mad for a while! That's what my neighbor did with her hubby and they are still married. Although she brought home thirty! LOL

Originally posted by chiefsmom
AWWW!

I've been trying to get my husband to agree to a goat for a year now! I'm almost to the point of just getting it and letting him be mad for a while!

That's what my neighbor did with her hubby and they are still married. Although she brought home thirty! LOL

Let's see...goat, or hubby....goats....

You should get a pygmy goat, female. They are the best high quality milkers for their size. They also think they are dogs, will follow you everywhere. The does only get to about 35 lbs. Like a big fat Cocker Spaniel, on little peg legs.

Start with one...work up to thirty. They're like potato chips, you can't have just one. Plus they do so much better if you have at least 2. They are very social animals.

Des

Excitement and Spring in the air....Fay, my older doeling had 2 kids at 2 am this morning. A sweet little girl, and a just as sweet little boy. I'll be posting photos later this evening after I take some.

Have been busy gearing up for shows, and website sales for this season with my home made products. I hope all of you who make things to sell from a home based business are getting ready for a good, profitable season.

This year, I decided to take the Serve Safe food course offered by the county through the ag dept. I plan on adding home baked goodies to my booth. The certificate, in my State costs around $250.00 for 1 day class and certificate registration, if taken through the Health Department.. If you want to check with your state's Agriculture dept, they are offering it for $15.00,,

What a savings...and you need the certificate in order to sell home made food items out of your booth. It's now a requirement by all health departments. The certificate is good for 5 years, and is also required if you plan on working in a commercial kitchen that serves to the public. You never know if having one will be the deal breaker in landing a job in a restaurant.

Des

Followed this thread awhile ago and wanted to stop in and drop this Link off. It is for a free Kindle book on making soaps. It will only be good for as long as the author allows but it has great reviews. If you don't have a Kindle just download the free app and the book is also completely free.

As I have never made my own soap I can't speak to the quality of the book but it looks fascinating.

reply to post by Doodle19815


Thanks Doodle....I'll check it out in the morning, sleepy time for me.....

Des

I won't be selling food, but I am doing soaps and candles at two of the local farm markets this year. My first time and I'm pretty excited. Just made Mandarin Orange soap last night with orange zest and it smell like a creamcicle!
I was surprised at how cheap you can sell there. Only 45.00 if you by for the season, which starts next week and runs through October.
Also, can't wait to get in the garden. I've actually managed to keep the plants I started from seed alive for once!

reply to post by chiefsmom


Congrats Chiefsmom! I too, sell at a local Farmer's Market. Got a deal by paying for the season in advance.

Your Orange Mandarin soap sound yummy. I think the fresh citrus scents are going to be good sellers this year. I'm packaging up some lemon honey, with grated peel soap today. I love adding herbs and grated peels for exfolients.

I've added a lotion bar to my products that is doing very well. It's equal parts of beeswax, raw shea butter, cocoa butter, and grapeseed oil sweet almond oil and apricot kernel oil. 1/3 beeswax, 1/3 hard butters and 1/3 liquid oils. Plus a lot of Vit E. It comes out smelling like mild chocolate because of the raw cocoa butter. Melts with body temp, and is so soothing to dry chapped hands, feet.

Good luck at the Market!!!

Des

reply to post by Destinyone

Thanks for this thread as it has got me into making these things for my family and we are saving quite a bit of money as well.

I started out with the laundry soap using a whole bar a felz naptha and it's great. My girlfriend at first was reluctant and I think she has come around now. Our laundry is so much cleaner and in fact I have some jeans for working on cars. They did have grease stains on them for quite some time now. Last week I was sitting there and she remarked about them since they are now stain free. I actually let the clothes sit for at least an hour when they agitate for a bit. I then have a mixture of vinegar and baking soda we use for fabric softener. The clothes are soft as ever too.

I found out that having a bar of felz naptha around will take out most any stain. Just wet it down and rub the bar on the stain to lather. Let it sit for the night and the stain is gone, we have young kids so you can imagine the stains we get.

I have have used a cleaner with ammonia, vinegar, laundry soap, and water. It is good but I was looking for something more. We recently started using one I made up and it's the best. I wanted something for glass and any surface. I put some oranges in vinegar for a couple weeks and used that.

1 part orange cleaner
1 part ammonia
1 part alcohol
2 1/2 parts water

I tested it out on the side of the stove that never gets washed. Sprayed it on and it literally wiped off with a wet rag.

reply to post by Destinyone


Hello Des,

I am looking through your thread on Soap
making. I am just starting out on CP soap. I'm finding the LYE CALC CONFUSING.

I want to make a basic Olive oil and either Goats milk, or Coconut milk soap and add a bit of essential oils.

I am now kind of in a rush to make it, before I start painting and decorating before Xmas.

Have you got the time to give me some advice?

Just sent you a U2U

Btw, your goats are lovely. I would love to have some. Unfortunately, I live in the heart of a big city,