Soapmaking: A New Hobby for Cheffers!

[pampermejolene]

I'm starting the hobby of soapmaking. Or I guess I should say I'm test driving it. I haven't made any yet, but I'm thinking I'll enjoy it. I've done tons of online research and have watched some videos and know there are lots of books out there but I wondered if any fellow cheffers make soap in their free time.

 

[princessmeshelle]

I haven't made soap in some years! But, it is fairly easy. For the most part you buy glycerin soap (in bulk) , melt it down and add color, fragrance, glitter or any other addative you want and pour it into a mold. It is kinda fun. I never had much luck making layered soapes and loafs of soap that you cut down into bars... They never held up right for me. Maybe I was doing something wrong... Probably... Anyway, it is very similar to candle making. Melt add color, smell, and extra whatevers, mold it and cool it. Viola! You have soap! HTH

 

[PampChefJoy]

I made soap years ago for Christmas gifts... it was fun and I wish I had time to continue... it seemed like it could become an addicting habit It smells so goooooood!

 

[Teresa Lynn]

my daughter did it a few years ago in junior high she also amde bath salts and fizzies

 

[pampermejolene]

I'm going to be really making soap... oils, lye water, etc. I'm so excited!

I think I'm going to make bath salts too, I know those are really easy and don't have all the additives and junk like the kind you buy in the store.


Joy, is there anything you don't do??

 

[ShanaSmith]

you can also find instructions online to make hand milled soaps. I did some really yummy oatmeal soap and a coffee one for the kitchen a few years ago. The old bread tubes work really well for molds too. Then you can cut it into bars. That's one of the few things I ever used mine for.

 

[pampchefsarah]

Jolene, let us know when you are ready to start selling them! I'll buy some to give as gifts.

 

[pampermejolene]

you can also find instructions online to make hand milled soaps. I did some really yummy oatmeal soap and a coffee one for the kitchen a few years ago. The old bread tubes work really well for molds too. Then you can cut it into bars. That's one of the few things I ever used mine for.

oooh! That's genius! I might have to get my hands on some of the bread molds! Thanks for the great idea!

 

[pampermejolene]

Jolene, let us know when you are ready to start selling them! I'll buy some to give as gifts.

Yay! (though, be aware, selling was not my intent for posting this thread). It will probably be 1 1/2 to 2 months. I want to do a sample batch or two (at least) first and make my friends try them to make sure I know what I'm doing! lol

 

[pampermejolene]

I found a soap making forum... While I am on FB and MS CS is the only board thing that I'm on ( I don't even know what to call this)... anyway, it's so weird being on something similar to this site but yet it's so different. The colors are different, no one gets stars! and mostly none of you are there! It's just very strange. Just wanted to share!