Post Holiday Natural Soapmaking
Were your holidays as busy as mine? The fun, activity filled whirlwind is finally fading away and I am excited to get back to some project work again. And helping me out on this goal is a fun and useful book that I received from publisher Robert Rose: The Best Natural Homemade Soaps: 40 Recipes for Olive Oil-Based Soaps.
Natural Soapmking “Cookbook”
Have you ever wanted to try making soap–or are you a former soapmaker whose skills are getting rusty? In either case, the Best Natural Homemade Soaps is a lovely and inspirational book. While I generally recommend that wannabe soapmakers take an in person class before starting (since soapmaking requires precautions for working with lye), I can’t tell you how many soap books I bought before I finally started! Kind of like a hobby hope chest 😉
This book is full of natural and beautiful olive oil based recipes like Marigold Soap and Dead Sea Salt Soap. And it has an innovation I haven’t found in many books–it provides instruction in doing your own infusions, water based extractions from fragrant plants like lavender or cedar. And isn’t their rosemary soap below lovely?
Rosemary Soap*
I fall into the “revive” your natural soapmaking category. I used to make a lot of soap, but somehow it faded away. It’s a fun and productive hobby and just a couple of sessions a year can produce all the (fine quality, glycerin loaded) soap a family needs, plus some for giving away.
Rosemary Soap Recipe*
Did you know that when they make commercial soap, most manufacturers remove the (valuable) skin renewing glycerin and sell it separately leaving you with the (cheaper, more drying) leftovers? Then they may add in synthetic fragrances containing phthalates and other chemicals linked to health concerns–convinced to go natural yet? I’ll be starting on some of the more basic recipes soon and infusions in the spring when the greenery pops up again.
The holidays were wonderful, but I’m sure glad to have some free time again! Do you have any fun plans for filling your post holiday days?
Natural soap making is amazing. You get to create something that looks almost edible and smells great. Then you get to enjoy soaking in a tub knowing that it will make you look younger because it’s made with loving care from natural ingredients.
It’s great isn’t it Greg!
I am glad you had such busy and wonderful holidays! Love the rosemary soap photos, the little green in the centre makes it look so good!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Isn’t that pretty! I’ll probably do something a little less fancy first, then work up to that.