The Poultry Keeper

nigel · Posted: Mon Mar 24, 2008 8:14 am Post subject: calling all soapmakers..

OK - so we have the goats milking regularly now, and Steph is into the cheese-making thing, but I fancy having a go at making some goats milk soap.

Has anyone else tried this?
Do you have any tips or favourite recipes?

Nigel - The Domestic Goddess

Gilly C · Joined: 22 Jun 2006 Posts: 1979 Location: South Cumbria

I have 'The Handmade Soap Book' but being at home all day I don't have the time, so not got around to making any yet lol but here is the instructions
Goat's milk and ylang ylang
It is not a soap that gives a good lather but leaves skin feeling soft and smooth
medium/soft soap little bubbles
creamy texture
8oz vegetable fat
12oz olive oil
12oz sunflower oil
2oz beeswax
10oz goats milk
4 1/2oz soduim hydroxide(caustic soda)
1 tbls ylang ylang essential oil

grease your mould, place the fat and base oils and beeswax in a ss steel or enamel pot over a low heat.pour milk into heavy jug or bowl made from plastic or glass.
wearing rubber gloves and eye protection add the caustic soda to the milk and stir until dissolved,when the oils have melted remove from the heat.

Place one sugar thermometer in the oils and one in the caustic solution when they both reach an equal temp between 120c & 140c pur the caustic solution into the oil stir occasionally until you can leave a race with the spoon takes about 90 mins then add essential oil and stir well pour immediately into mould leave 24 hours
Wearing rubber gloves remove soap from mould cut into blocks leave to cure for 4 weeks before using

seems a lot of work for halp pint of milk ! they use all sort of of plastic boxes guttering plastic conduits for moulds eeven chilfrens hollow toys !!!
have fun

milkmaid · Joined: 19 Apr 2005 Posts: 6622 Location: isle of lewis

thanks for that gilly c ,i've been meaning to have a go Very Happy

ntsmama · Joined: 06 Dec 2007 Posts: 232

Soapmaking is great funa nd very worthwhile but please be VERY careful and follow instructions to the letter.