Soapmaking

Vicki's experience

For centuries soap was made at home, though usually with left over fats and oils and a certain amount of guesswork which often gave unpleasant results.

My own soapmaking began with a search to find a soap that didn't cause skin irritations.

My first attempts involved using animal fats. Refined and deodorised tallow can be purchased, but I rendered my own from suet purchased at a local butcher's shop.

The odour was unforgettable, and helped make my decision to make vegetable based soaps.

I started collecting soapmaking books and they contained recipes for so many different types of soap, the possibilities seemed endless.

Why make your own?

Soapmaking is addictive.

Ask any soapmaker. Once you've experienced the luxury of using your own handcrafted soap, you'll never use mass produced soap again.

Reviving skills such as soapmaking is just one way of making our communities become more sustainable.

The knowledge shared in these pages may provide a way for that to happen (see make your own).

There are many online soapmaking lists willing to share their knowledge (see soapmaking links).

So join in the fun and make soap for yourself, for gifts or even start your own business.