"Self-sufficiency does not mean 'going back' to the acceptance of a lower standard of living. On the contrary, it is the striving for a higher standard of living, for food that is organically grown and good, for the good life in pleasant surroundings... and for the satisfaction that comes from doing difficult and intricate jobs well and successfully." John Seymour ~ Self Sufficiency 2003

Friday, 9 September 2011

Soap part 2

The Rugby World Cup has started, so RMan will be kept busy for the next 39-odd days.  That means I can blog to my hearts content LOL


I had always been frightened of using caustic soda, so I first took the soap making plunge only in March this year.  Since then I have made two further batches - we seem to be whizzing our way through the stock...


But I wasn't happy with just making blocks of soap, so I searched on-line for silicone molds and came across a company in South Africa which had just what I needed :)


So, with my stock running low, I made my third batch on Wednesday using those molds.
Fill the molds with your mixture - to just on the rim
What a pleasure they are to use.  And so simple.  All you do is pour the soap mixture into the mold, let it sit for 12 - 18 hours and then de-mold.


How? Just peel the silicone mold back...
Just peel the mold away from the hardening bar of soap
... and place your soap on the rack to cure for 3 weeks.
3rd batch of soap - using silicone molds
I bought three different shaped molds and love them all.  They look like they will give a better bar than my hodge-podge slicing of a rectangle of soap.
1st batch of soap
Don't get me wrong - I still love the squares of soap - but variety is the spice of life :)


And I can use the silicone molds in baking too!
Posted by Dani at 10:06:00
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12 comments:

  1. Tania9 September 2011 at 12:24

    As I keep saying, I must make some soap! Yours looks great Dani...

    I will have a look tomorrow for some silicon molds. Hubby made me some out of PVC pipe, but I have heard it is hard to get out.

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  2. Jane @ Hard Work Homestead9 September 2011 at 14:37

    Soap making is fun. Once you get on to it you can't believe you ever bought it!

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  3. Dani9 September 2011 at 18:35

    Tania - Take the plunge - you won't regret it :) You can use PVC pipe, but then you must line it with plastic wrap / dustbin bag, otherwise you won't get it loose from the mold.

    Jane - I agree - but if only I could reduce the costs - it is more expensive to make than shop bought. But DOES contain less chemicals LOL

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  4. Diana Studer9 September 2011 at 22:40

    Do you use tallow? Or what is the main ingredient?

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  5. Just Me9 September 2011 at 22:42

    Small plastic tubs from single-serving foods make great soap molds. Yogurt is first to come to mind, but also the single-serve fruits and applesauce that are usually sold in 6-packs. It works great for school groups to offer students a gelatin or pudding cup while you explain the process, then allow them to make a soap to take home in their cup. These more-or-less round soaps are great for putting in the toe of a very thin sock or panty-hose leg to hang by a deep sink or an outdoor wash basin. The soap dries without need of a soap dish, the fabric serves as a mild scrubber, and the soap is always easy to find.

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  6. Dani10 September 2011 at 07:50

    Diana - The main ingredient is coconut oil. I have a recipe for tallow soap, but haven't tried it yet.

    JustMe - The only problem with using rigid containers like yoghurt tubs is removing the soap afterwards - they don't give enough. They probably would work, but they would have to be removed by cutting them away.

    I have heard about using "lonely socks" to hold soap for use after garden work - haven't tried it yet though :)

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  7. Anonymous12 September 2011 at 03:17

    It is great to see your new molds. I am addicted to making soap and it has been hard not to make any all summer. I find with our heat and humidity that I get a harder bar when I make and cure it in the winter. I make rectangular bars (no spice here - ha). I too have yet to use tallow. I have heard it can help make a harder bar that will last longer. Have fun with it.Emily

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  8. Dani12 September 2011 at 14:18

    Emily - I have never made soap in summer - guess I'll find out this year LOL

    What do you use to make your bar harder?

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  9. Unknown5 July 2012 at 14:13

    Those are nice moulds, can you share where you get them? Thanks!

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    Replies
    1. Dani6 July 2012 at 11:59

      Golden Horde - Welcome. I purchased them directly from wizbake.co.za :)

      Delete
  10. Unknown10 August 2015 at 14:50

    hi guys, does anyone know where we can get custom soap molds made?

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    Replies
    1. Dani10 August 2015 at 15:44

      VP - Sorry - apart from a local carpenter, the only soap molds I know are from Wizbake.

      Delete

Thank you for taking the time to comment - it makes my day and removes the "loneliness' of sitting at my screen blogging supposedly to myself ;) I try and reply as quickly as possible so please forgive me if sometimes my response is delayed.

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