Friday, July 13, 2018

With a Little Luck

 As of today all of the soap from the summer giveaway has been packaged and sent off to their new homes. I know it's Friday the 13th but I am going to need a little luck with this heat to get it to you in decent shape. Let's all cross our fingers.



 Since I had a lot of newcomers participate this time around I thought I'd share some things most of you already know. First, the ingredient label. It's not on the individual soaps since these soaps are so small. It's on the bag. If you plan on giving it away make sure the label goes with it. Allergies are no fun and can be serious business.



Having said that, I make soap because I have so many allergies and can't use store bought soap. Everything makes me sneeze, wheeze or itch. I've tried many recipes but this is the one that gives me the least trouble. I use lots of food grade ingredients. The way I look at it is if I can eat it then I can probably take a bath in it.




Even the lye I use is food grade-not the kind you find in the hardware store for unclogging drains but the kind you use for making pretzels.




 What gives me the most trouble is the fragrance. Some make me itch. That's why I call some hand soap. My hands can handle anything, my other parts not so much. That spoon is how much fragrance oil I put in the soap. See those blue bottles? Most recipes call for at least HALF A BOTTLE per pound of oil of which there are two of in my small loaf recipe. I can't even imagine using that much. Wowza. Just the thought makes me itch.



The same goes for the cosmetic grade mica colorant that makes all the pretty swirls.




I only use a quarter of a spoon for each color I use in the soap. A little goes a very long way.




That's what my bathtub looks like when I am testing soap. I won't give it away until I've used it. If I can put it on my face, it's okay.




To make sure your soap stays nice and fresh, take it out of the big plastic bag and let it breathe in it's little plastic soap band. It will last about two years if you put it in a dry place. Don't store your extra bars in the bathroom. It's too humid. They will continue to cure and grow milder and creamier the longer you hang onto them. Without preservatives they will turn one day. You'll know it's time to toss them if they turn orange and spotty. I have been making soap for four years now and not one has turned on me yet. Those oldies but goodies I use from time to time are amazing, totally worth the long cure.



Those boxes contain the soap I have left. If you are late to the party, there is still plenty. Come and get it. Kathy B-if you want some for that charity thing let me know. I can't respond to comments anymore  thanks to Blogger. Message me what you need and I'll send it on.



So to sum it all up, the rules of soap are:
*Keep it out of your eyes. Like all soap it will sting.
*Because of all the fancy butters it's slippery. Be careful if you drop it.
*If it makes you itch or sting, toss it or use it for hand soap, I use it on my dog and for doing dishes.
*Remember it's soap. No matter how lovely it feels rinse it completely off.
*Finally, don't eat it. Yes, I had someone take a bite of the coffee soap. Don't. Just don't.


ALSO don't forget to let me know what condition the soap and card were in when you got it and what the weather was like in your neck of the woods. It will help me decide whether to do this again next summer.

THANKS AGAIN.....believe it or not, I am already planning the fall soap giveaway and it's going to be a doozy. Something completely new-details in AUGUST!!!!


13 comments:

  1. I loved reading about your soap ingredients and why you do what do when you make it. Very, very interesting to a non-soap maker.
    I would love a bar or two if you still have any. I was in Omaha and pretty far from blogland when you had the giveaway.
    I have a bar of your chocolate soap in my bathroom right now and I’m loving it. Thank you for being so generous with all of us.
    Blessings,
    Betsy

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    1. Any preferences? I've still got some of each. Look at last Sunday's post for all the fragrances.

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    2. Whatever you would like to send wouldn’t be just perfect. Thank you so much Debra.💜
      Blessings,
      Betsy

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  2. I have sensitive skin and never had any problem with your soaps. They are great! Thank you.

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  3. Thanks for sharing that info - it's nice to know what's in things. I don't tend to have skin allergies myself but I know some people that do and it's not pretty! Oh, and if you have an extra blackberry and sage I'm in. I didn't get that to you originally.

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  4. That last soap looks like Christmas!!!! :-)

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  5. Your generosity knows no bounds!!!
    Thank you so much for all your caring touches in your seasonal giveaways!

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  6. What an interesting read! I love your soaps and have never had any problems - well, the only problem is usually which one to use next!

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  7. An interesting post on the soap ingredients and the care you take to make them.

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  8. I am sensitive too, but I've never had any issues with your soaps. And I think they have more than enough fragrance!

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  9. I received Lemongrass Verbena and Sea Breeze today as well as the beautiful card. Everything was in perfect condition. The soap was firm and no evidence of melting and the card had no bent edges or anything. Temperatures in the 80s today and the package was in my mailbox in full sun for several hours before I got home. Thank you for being so generous with your readers! I love the fragrance of both soaps and look forward to using them. Also, I appreciate all the information about the ingredients and storage. Again, thank you! Happy Friday 13th!

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  10. Deb

    I can take anything you want to send. I plan to wrap them in the squares given from a friend and send them on to the womens' shelter nearby. 3, 4 5 or whatever you want. Not more than 6 because I have to sew them into the squares and you and I both know I hate to sew . HAHAHA. THank you Deb.

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  11. Mine came perfect. It's very hot & humid here in SE GA. I love both of the scents that you sent me. Thank you so much, Miss Deb.

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