I Am A Soap Maker

I did it! I made Soap.......

Homemade Liquid Lard and Lye Laundry Soap.

I have been making my liquid laundry soap for almost a year and love it. I wanted a soap made from a sustainable resource and that Baby O's skin could tolerate. She is especially sensitive to the chemicals additives, preservatives and dyes in most soaps. One day while looking at different sites I came across this soap forum HERE. MikeInPdx had posted this recipe and I have been using it ever since. Daughter hasn't had a severe break out since!

This is what Mike had to post :

I keep this soap on hand all the time. It takes a few days to set up but it's really easy to make and works well in soft water. People with hard water will want to have it softened with borax or washing soda before adding soap. 

New Laundry Soap

For those of you like me who make your own laundry soap I have found a new recipe! I started making my own laundry soap when Baby O was diagnosed with a childhood skin condition that was greatly irritated by dyes and heavy perfumes. She was the kid who broke out from bubble bath and lotions as a baby.  She seemed to stay broke out until I started making my own detergents and soaps. She has not had a breakout since. However    I was tired of grating bar soaps to make my homemade laundry detergent. There are lots of recipes out there for this method which usually incorporates a grated bar soap, washing soda, borax and water. However I have problems making one that will get out that tough farm dirt and sweat and still not irritate sensitive skin.

If you are interested in making this type of detergent you can find recipes here

While reading a soap making forum recently I ran across this post......

Soap Making Forum

I had to mix my own lye and lard for the soap but it turned out wonderfully. It made into a fluffy white soap about the consistency of yogurt after about 3 days of stirring. I added a small amount of lavendar essential oil and my clothes came out clean and smelling wonderful.

For heavier soiled work clothes I did add additional Oxiclean to help with stain removal.
For the rinse I just added a little vinegar to the final rinse.

I would like to caution anyone trying this recipe to follow all safety instructions for handling lye. Don't forget those goggles and rubber gloves ladies : )

With a pig to butcher this fall I will have all the lard I want without having to even buy that. However the next batch I am going to experiment with coconut oil and see how that works.

But for now this is an inexpensive alternative to those expensive store bought detergents laden with chemicals and dyes that can irritate sensitive skin.

Blessings from The Holler

The Canned Quilter