soap is better than dreamed (Soap Making)

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After lots of info from many kind people here, I made my first batch of soap. I made a lard, olive oil and coconut oil recipe. I scented it with pine to give away as christmas presents. It turned out great! OK maybe I put too much scent in, but I know better next time. My husband liked it so well, he gave a bar to a friend that own a auto repair garage. The friend called a week later wanting to buy more soap. He claims that his hands have never been cleaner or softer. No more grease in the cracks and no more cracking open because of harsh chemical cleaners. I was stunned. I agreed to sell him soap because we know him but does anyone think there is a market to this? Any ideas would be appreciated. Thanks again,

-- Joanie (notworking@all.com), December 17, 2001

Answers

Response to soap is better than dreames

You just started your market.

-- David R In TN. (srimmer@earthlink.net), December 17, 2001.

Response to soap is better than dreames

You can't beat word of mouth advertising.

Good luck!

={(Oak)-

-- Live Oak (live-oak@atlantic.net), December 17, 2001.


Response to soap is better than dreames

Joanie - Congratulations! Would you mind sharing your recipe? Thanks! Julie

-- Julie (julie@aacintervention.com), December 17, 2001.

Response to soap is better than dreames

Dear Joanie:

I'd love the recipe, too, as I've wanted to try making soap for a long time.

It sounds like you're really off to a great start!

She

-- Sheila Lutz (glutz43@alltell.net), December 17, 2001.


Response to soap is better than dreames

Handmade soap is often much more effective than commercial stuff. it sounds like you've been biten by the same bug as my wife and SIL. They make sheep's milk soap and do sell it commercially. I get the fun paperwork jobs............. Not to put a damper on your idea just remember that handmade soap can sometimes not work out and it can be a little risky selling it. Check with your home insurance provider to see if you can get a rider for liability and I'll get you a link to the handcrafted soap makers guild. (if someone can beat me to it please do!) There's a couple of others too on my other computer. Ill try to get them off.

-- Ross (amulet@istar.ca), December 17, 2001.


Response to soap is better than dreames

Thank you all for your encouragement. I picked the recipe I used because it uses hog lard which I get every year when we butcher. It is called Palma-Christi Soap. I understand that keeping this soap for a while may cause it to get a bacon smell. Check this with a few drops of vitamin E to your fats and some mild scent.(not lots of pine scent unless you want room deodorizers) 9 oz. castor oil 22 oz. olive oil 22 oz. coconut oil (I got at health food store) 32 oz. lard _________________ 11 1/2 oz. lye 32 oz. water (I used distilled)

Get both fats and lye water between 95 - 98 degrees. This soap sometimes doesn't want to trace, mine yesterday didn't - after an hour of stirring, it was nice and thick so I poured it in the mold and covered with three blankets instead of one. Worked out OK. Used cinnamon this time - lots less. If you want more specific instructions, let me know. I would be glad to help - lots of people here helped me.

Got one more question for you. An Amish friend that owns a small bulk food store asked to sell some also. I gave him some in a goodie basket we delivered because his wife is pregnant and 1 week over due. I realize that the marketing of the two outlets would be very different. One needs to be billed as a hand cleaner and the other a bath bar. I would like to hear more thoughts on this. Thanks.

-- Joanie (notworking@all.com), December 17, 2001.


Congratulations!! My latest batch of soap was pine too..and I love it. I did the all vegetable based type this time and have made the recipe you gave. I love it!! You are gonna love the soap making...it gets more fun all the time. I have had really good luck selling..by word of mouth..my oatmeal soap...add blenderized oats to soap and stir in really well before pouring into mold. It is really mild for skin!

-- Jenny (Auntjenny6@aol.com), December 17, 2001.

We have some types that are exactly the same only labled differently. We have to put the ingredients on the lable as well. Selling a Pine soap as a bath bar? Call it Christmas soap or Woodsman? The ladies sell a clear glycerin soap melted into a loofa as Christmas soap. It's sold well so far.

-- Ross (amulet@istar.ca), December 17, 2001.

Joanie,

You mentioned that you gave a bar to your husbands friend that owns a auto repair garage and that it cleaned his hands.

My husband has been a mechanic for 40 years and has never had clean hands and they do crack (we have tried everything). Would you be willing to sell me a bar so he can try it. E-mail me please.

Thank you in advance.

-- Cordy (ckaylegian@aol.com), December 17, 2001.


Congradulations Joanie!

I think that is how Procter and Gamble got started!

Sincerely,

Ernest

-- http://communities.msn.com/livingoffthelandintheozarks (espresso42@hotmail.com), December 17, 2001.



Here's the guild addy, I gave up fighting the old computer for bookmarks for tonight, I got crankier at it than it did at me so I win some sleep. For tonight anyhow. Tha Handcrafted Soapmakers Guild Here's a saop makers bulletin board my wife uses a lot (Shepherdess is her nikname) Soapmaking Forums Hope that helps

-- Ross (amulet@istar.ca), December 17, 2001.

Thanks for all your help and encouragement. I have two mare batches made and I am hooked. Cordy, My e-mail doesn't work since my hard drive died. I can send here with no problem though. I would be happy to send you a bar. I'll see if I can get it fixed and get back to you so you can try it.

-- Joanie (notworking@all.com), December 19, 2001.

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