Thread: Making my own soap.

Originally Posted by Annixter

Bridger (and others), if I'm mistaken in my understanding, I'd appreciate more information about soaps versus creams within the confines of our discussion.

I guess it is also a matter of personal definition. Some makers define their products as soaps while the density would suggest to call it a cream. In my opinion, a soap is something very hard, just like a soap bar or near to that hardness, whereas a cream is the rest. It is however clear that a dominant quantity of potassium hydroxide makes a cream and, by reading shaving creams and soaps INCIs, this element is always found before sodium hydroxide, meaning its percentage is higher than the latter.
I would also consider the percentage of water for the definition of cream and soap.

Originally Posted by Annixter

I agree that tallow is not fundamental by any means. For my preference and dollar, tallow has benefits over non-tallow soaps I've used and is a cheap and readily available enough ingredient to make it very worthwhile in my recipes.

Tallow goes rancid quicker than stearic acid or coconut oil, therefore shortening product's life. As far as I am concerned, I have found a lot of non tallow based creams or soaps providing excellent results as well as being very cheap in price. Tcheon Fung Sing creams are an example of a non tallow based shaving cream sold at a very low price. (the price for 125g in Italy is about 1.50 euros).

Originally Posted by razorguy

I guess it is also a matter of personal definition. . . .

I would also consider the percentage of water for the definition of cream and soap. . . .

Tallow goes rancid quicker than stearic acid or coconut oil, therefore shortening product's life. As far as I am concerned, I have found a lot of non tallow based creams or soaps providing excellent results as well as being very cheap in price. Tcheon Fung Sing creams are an example of a non tallow based shaving cream sold at a very low price. (the price for 125g in Italy is about 1.50 euros).

Well put. The water content would make a large difference, as would using softening oils in a cream I suppose.

With tallow, I'm concerned with small batches for personal use, so rancidity isn't a concern; however, I can see why manufacturers desiring shelf life might stay away from animal products. Before I stated making my own soap, I wished I could have found a good commercial shaving soap/cream for that price.

Originally Posted by Annixter

Well put. The water content would make a large difference, as would using softening oils in a cream I suppose.

Right.

Originally Posted by Annixter

With tallow, I'm concerned with small batches for personal use, so rancidity isn't a concern; however, I can see why manufacturers desiring shelf life might stay away from animal products. Before I stated making my own soap, I wished I could have found a good commercial shaving soap/cream for that price.

In my opinion, tallow based soaps/creams goes rancid quicker than non tallow based ones. As for animal products, we should consider stearic acid can be made from animal fats as well as from vegetable oils or fats only.
However, stearic acid made from animal fats is usually mixed with palmitic acid and it seems to have a longer life than tallow.

Well I will be trying all of the different ways you guys suggested. I will be making some more on tuesday or wednesday. I would like I can send some to you when its cured if you PM me and tell me how decent of a lather lather it makes and performs as a shave soap. I will keep it unscented so that if you use it and don't like the scents that I like or are allergic to it then there will be no problems. Again not selling just looking for feedback and constructive criticism.

I guess we all are here in order to look for feedback and constructive criticism, or at least this is how I see this forum: a place where we can share opinions and ideas while growing up all together.
It would be very interesting to try one of your soaps and if you believe I could be a tester, count me in. No problem in case you want to add your scents: I don't think they would kill me.
Moreover, in order to get a reliable test, I guess you should let us know the list of the ingredients you will use for your soap/cream, not necessarily the quantity of each element as I understand this could be an information you want to keep undisclosed.

Oh I wouldn't care about disclosing the ingredients. I do not plan on selling it. As far as the scents go, if you don't care then I will add some. I will be trying to do a leather and pipe tobacco scent but that will be an experiment and if I feel like it doesn't turn out well then I will do a different smell maybe vanilla and clove as I like that combo alot too.

cosperryan, I've been following this thread with interest, and have also followed the links throughout to other sites to get a feel for what is needed, as I plan to try my hand at making my own soap as well. That, and I've already purchased a jar of coconut oil at the supermarket for future use.

One recommendation on a place to purchase your scents would be The Perfumer's Apprentice. I thought of mentioning this one specifically for you since you mentioned a pipe tobacco and leather scent. The leather I'm not 100% sure they have, but I know they have Tobacco Absolute, which is in several popular tobacco scented soaps.

I use an electronic cigarette (and have since 2008) and have made many of my own liquids using flavor concentrates (which they also offer) purchased from there, and the service was top notch up to the last time I ordered. Their list of EO's and FO's for scents is pretty extensive, though I dunno how they compare price-wise to others. I haven't really looked because I was planning on ordering form them regardless since I've had such good experiences with them.

If you happen to come across some other good places for EO's and FO's, let me know... or any places selling stearic acid and potassium hydroxide for cheap, too. So far, I've really only been able to look on Amazon and a few other sites but haven't found super great pricing.

Also, definitely keep us in the loop with how your experiment goes! I'm always down to hear of others success!

This is a GREAT thread...but reminds me of that movie "Ronin", where you never find out "what's in the box".

Bridger, et. al., could you all please post some recipes?