Goats (or cows) Milk Soap Recipes

[Deleted]

The first recipe posted here I have used and liked it real well! Its a nice easy recipe and the ingredients are easy to find and cheap. The second one is one I plan on making in the next couple weeks (im waiting on a Nubian shaped soap mold I bought on-line LOL) When a soap recipe calls for olive oil, go to your local dollar store or Walmart and buy the cheapest brand there. The cheaper the olive oil, the better it is for making soap. So DONT buy thats exspensive extra virgin olive oil that costs a fortune, it wont make your soap as good!

Basic Oatmeal & Honey Goat's Milk Soap

* 6 cups goats milk

* 4 cups lard (2 pounds)

* 2/3 cups standard can Red Devil brand lye

* 2 cops dry oatmeal (run through the blender)(I have made this recipe with and without oatmeal)

* 1/2 cup honey


Carefully mix the milk and lye in a stainless container. Allow to cool to 85 degrees. Stir in the refined oatmeal and honey. Mix well. Ward lard to 85 degrees and slowly add to milk mixture. Mix for 15 minutes, let stand 5 minutes. Mix again for 5 minutes. Watch closely as soap takes shape suddenly. When thick like honey pour into prepared milds. Let set 24-48 hours until set. Cut into bars and air cure for 3 to 4 weeks.



GOAT'S MILK & HONEY SOAP RECIPE

* 4 oz. of your favorite scent (if you want it scented)

* 48 oz olive oil (I use pomace--it's CHEAP and just as good for soap)

* 48 oz coconut oil (you can find it in walmart now in small containers)
* 76 oz hydrogenized vegetable shortening (like Crisco)

* 24 oz sodium hydroxide ( you can use red devil lye...it's pure)


Make sure to add the honey, tea tree oil and milk to the oil olive oil (before adding lye). Don't overheat your oils or you may cook the milk(curdle)! You should take care to keep it at around 95-110 degrees ( a little higher won't hurt, but that's about as warm as you want it to be anyway)
I mix the remaining water with the lye and let it cool to the correct temp before adding it to everything else.
If you leave out the scent, tea tree oil and honey.... it will not effect the soap except to make it a little less creamy (more solid- but definately not as nice to shower with).
The tea tree is something I put in because it is a natural antiseptic, germicide, antibacterial and fungicide. It's awesome for people with various skin problems, and never hurts anyone who doesn't have skin problems.
The honey is a natural healer... I sometimes use it directly on minor wounds to help heal quickly.
The goat's milk is a "super fatter" which gives the soap a milder, more creamy consistency and helps to moisturize the skin.
By Marsha Becker

[Vanessa]

Thank you so much for posting this!
I've read in one book that you should freeze the milk first for stability. Do you find this necessary?
Also-do you ever improvise your molds, say-a cardboard flat and wax paper? Any other tips for would-be soapmakers? This is something I am quite interested in, and think it would make good gifts!

[Deleted]

Vanessa,
I freeze mine till it hits that really slushy stage and then shake it up really good . The reason for it is because if you dont make your milk freezing cold your lye will burn the milk and ruine your whole batch! Boy does it stink!! Yuck It smells like a nasty perm job! LOL, it also turns a very carmel color too. Your milk soap will turn a nice cream color because of the milk, but shouldnt be a brownish or carmel color unless you dye it that way or add another fat that may turn the color some.
I have found that as far as molds go, its best to go to a local craft store and buy a couple. I have a few that are just ovals and squares and such, really plain and simple, that I bought at a craft store for $3.00. It has 5 diffrent molds to it, not bad. I have tryed to homemade ideas, but they never turned out as nice as I would like. When your dealing with active lye its best to get soething thats made to stade up to it then to end up ruining a whole batch of soap!
I have another recipe somewher thats just calls for lard, olive oil, lye and milk....you can add honey also if you want. Its very simple and doesnt make a huge batch. Its best to start out with smaller batches, they're easier to handle and if you do mess up its not alot of product out the door and into the garbage LOL I'll find that one and post it also

[FlipFlopFarmer]

Thank you ;D Thank you ;D Thank you ;D

I printed this off and will try it asap!

[Deleted]

FlipFlopFarmer said:

Thank you ;D Thank you ;D Thank you ;D

I printed this off and will try it asap!

FlipFlop (just ganna call ya that for now seeing as I dont know your name LOL), Dont go runnin off just yet!! I have here my simplest, funnest best for the beginer, Goats milk soap recipe!! <g> Here it is, for all the new to be milk soapers, garenteed NOT to discourage ya!!

Basic Lard/Milk Soap
(this is a 2 pound recipe)

1 1/2 cups melted tallow
1/2 cup olive oil (can substitute with extra tallow or coconut oil)
6 oz of freezing cold raw whole milk
4 Tbs of lye
molds (you can btw use glass casserole pans, I have used them with a pretty good turn out on bar soaps, I just remembered that LOL)

Optional:
essential oils or fragrance oil- about 1 tsp per pound of fat
preservative of your choice
colorant of your choice

Prepare the lye solution by adding the 4 tbs of lye to 6 oz of freezing cold milk. Stire constantly until the ganules have completely dissolved. Let sit till cooled to room temp.

1. Melt the fats and oils together in a large stainless steel or glass container. The fats should also be at room temp when you mix it with the lye solution. (This can be checked by simply feeling the outside edges of the container. Never dip your fingers in to check!)
2. When both the lye solution and the fats are at room temp slowly and carefully pour the lye solution into the fats. Stir immediately and continue to stire for 15 min (if you are using grapefruit seed extract as a preservitave, this is when you should add it). You can then take a break for 5 min, then stire for 5 min (the 5-5 method). Do this until the soap mixture traces. The time varies , sometimes an hour, sometimes less. Dont be alarmed , just be ready to pour your soap!
3. At trace, add your essential oils, herds, colorants, honey, teatree oil, what ever you have chosen. Make sure to fully incorperate them into your soap mixture.
4. Now you are ready to pour your soap into the molds. Be careful while pouring because the mixture has active lye in it! Insulate your molds and leave them covered for at least 24 hours (old towels or blankets work nicely)
5. After 24 hours, unmold your soap and cup (if needed) into bars. Store in a dry place with good ventilation for 2-4 weeks.

You wanna make this easier and half the size of a batch??? Well, here ya go!



Making soap in a blender 101 ;D

I suggest using coconut oil in place of oil for this method, it makes for a nice hard bar with fairly quick trace time.
Although using a blender doesnt allow for big batches of soap, it has four majr advantages:
1. Blending you soap mix makes for a much shorter time to the thin trace stage. Instead of 15-40 minutes, it might be only minutes or even seconds!
2. Since liquid fat and oils can be used at room temp, no thermometer are required. For solid fats simply heat them until the melt.
3. The blender effectively whips the lye milk into the fats producing a much smoother mixture so the chances of you mixture seperating are greatly reduced.
4. Your soap bars will be creamier in consistancy and should float due to the air that is whipped into the solution.

(cut the above basic lar/milk recipe in half for this, only 1 pound batches can be made in the blender)
step 1- follow the dirrections for making your lye solution as stated in the original recipe above.
step 2-Carefully pour the oil and then the lye solution into the blender. Be careful not to splash!
step 3-Lock the blender in position, secure the lid, place a towel over the top of the blender for safety and process at the lowest speed possiable.
Stop the blender and check often for the thin trace stage, thats when the mixture begins to thicken. Just when the mixture begins to thicken, stop the blender and stire to check for a full trace stage .
Step 4- At this point you can add any essential oils, honey and oatmeal and such. Blend these for a few seconds and then stop the blender.
Step 5-Pour the soap into molds, cover with a banket and let it set up for a day or two. After that pop out of molds or cut and pop out and let it age for at least 3 weeks.

[FlipFlopFarmer]

Couple questions.........

I don't have tallow - what can I substitute?

Also, in my "Milk Based Soaps" book it talks about removing a portion of the milk/lye mixture, blending it with a blender or hand mixer (like the wand type) and then putting it back into the milk/lye mixture...repeat until blended. Is there a reason why I can just stick the little hand held wand mixer into the lye/milk and mix it right in the pot? (provided I wear eye protection, of course!)

Carla

[Deleted]

Carla,
Tallow, lard, same thing :0) You can buy a pretty cheap little 5 pound tub of lard at Walmart (about $2.50 here).
As far as the mixing the milk/lye mixture, I mix mine very slowly. Meaning, in a very large bowl (helps prevent it from splashing on me!) I put my slushy/frozen milk. Then I take my measured amount of lye and slowly begin adding it as I stire as quickly as possiable without splattering on myself! LOL I have learned, if you slowly add the lye and mix it constantly at the same time, it doesnt give the lye a chance to heat up to the point of scolding your milk. Now, if you just dumped the whole amount of lye into your milk and started stirring, within seconds your mixture would begin to turn this awful rust color, which means its burning the milk and the milk/lye mixture is ruined. I just use a wooden spoon myself, nothing fancy when it comes to a stirring utinsel :0)

[FlipFlopFarmer]

Thanks for the info! I'm surprised that the lye doesn't "eat" your wooden spoon?

Do you sell your soaps? I have regular milk customers and they are all very interested in buying soap as well. I'm thinking of making a laundry type soap as well, probably without milk in it.

Carla

[Deleted]

I do have to replace the sppons after awhile, but they're so cheap that its not a big deal
I am lookin at selling some soaps here, we dont have anyone locally that makes milk soaps , so that opens a door for me LOL
As far as the laundry detergent, I have a recipe for that too! ;D No, it doesnt have milk in it though . My next recipe I wanna find will be for homemade liquid dish soap. I go through alot of that stuff around here also!! LOL If you want the recipe for the laindry soap let me know !

[FlipFlopFarmer]

I would love the laundry soap recipe and the dish soap one too, if you find one. ;D Where are you getting all of these recipes from? I have found a few on the internet and my father-in-law bought the Milk based soaps book for me.

Carla

[Deleted]

Well, I have found a few from books, some from the internet and a couple from a friend of mine who selles milk soaps at craft shows and such ;D I havent tried the laundry soap recipes yet (waiting till I get close to running out, I buy the big tubs having 4 kids and all!), but it seems pretty simple and cost efficent too ;)I want to try the powdered soap recipe, It has Borax in it, and that stuff is awsome at getting whites white and such! Plus, it sounds like the easier one to try .Here they are:

Homemade Laundry Detergents

Liquid Laundry Detergents

Recipe #1

3 Pints Water
1/3 Bar Fels Naptha Soap, Grated
1/2 Cup Washing Soda
1/2 Cup Borax
2 Gallon Bucket
1 Quart Hot Water
Hot Water

Mix Fels Naptha soap in a saucepan with 3 pints of water, and heat on low until dissolved. Stir in Washing Soda and Borax. Stir until thickened, and remove from heat. Add 1 Quart Hot Water to 2 Gallon Bucket. Add soap mixture, and mix well. Fill bucket with hot water, and mix well. Set aside for 24 hours, or until mixture thickens. Use 1/2 cup of mixture per load.



Recipe #2

1 Cup Grated Fels Naptha Soap
1/2 Cup Washing Soda
1/2 Cup Borax
2 Tablespoons Glycerin
2 Gallons Water (NOTE: This recipe originally called for 2 Cups Water)

Mix all three ingredients together. Add glycerin and water. Use 1/2 - 3/4 cup per load. Best when used with cold or warm water.



Recipe #3

Water
1 Bar Fels Naptha Soap, Grated
5 Gallon Bucket
1 Cup Washing Soda
4 1/2 Gallons Water

Place grated soap in a small saucepan and cover with water. Heat on low until dissolved. Fill bucket with hot water, and add soap. Stir to combine. Add 1 cup washing soda and mix well. As it cools it will thicken. May be used immediately. Use 1-2 cups per load.



Powdered Laundry Detergent

1 Cup Grated Fels Naptha Soap
1/2 Cup Washing Soda
1/2 Cup Borax

For light load, use 1 tablespoon. For heavy or heavily soiled load, use 2 tablespoons.



TIPS

* Liquid detergent can also be used as a pretreater for stains.
* Ivory Soap, Deodorant Soap, and Beauty Bars can be substituted for the Fels Naptha Soap.
* Essential Oils can be added to soap for fragrance.

WHERE TO FIND INGREDIENTS

Fels-Naptha® Laundry Soap Bar: Made by the Dial Soap Company, so any store that carries Dial should be able to get it for you. If they carry it, it will be found in the bar soap or laundry soap aisle at your regular supermarket. It is usually on the bottom shelf. If you can't find it in your area, try
Ivory Soap instead.

Super Washing Soda: Washing Soda can be found on the laundry detergent aisle of your supermarket. It comes in a 55-ounce yellow box. Baking soda SHOULD NOT be used in place of washing soda. They are completely different products, although they are both made by Arm & Hammer.

Borax: One brand name is 20 Mule Team® Borax. It is also found on the laundry detergent aisle.

[FlipFlopFarmer]

I use the fels naptha/borax/washing soda laundry soap recipe and I really like it. We all have sensitve skin so tradtional laundry products, even the "free & clear" kind, break our skin out.

Thanks for the recipes. I am hoping to make some soap this weekend....of course I've been saying that for many weekends and things always get too busy! ;D

Carla

[mullerslanefarm]

Trying very gently not to step on people's toes here.

Please, Please, PLEASE invest in a good digital scale and use weighted measurements when making lye soap.

Using the two pounds of soap as an example, .2 oz will make this recipe go from being nice to being nasty! Do you know how small .2 oz is???

I have a soapmaking page on my website. www.mullerslanefarm.com/soapmaking.html It has recipes (& pictures) on it. All I make is milk soaps (using our Jersey milk).

When making milk soaps, weigh and melt your oils first, then mix your lye with your frozen milk.

[Deleted]

I know what you mean about weighing your ingredients, but......I have used the simple lard recipe I posted over and over again using the simple measurements like you would use for baking a cake, and every single bar of soap has turned out perfect. I have been using this recipe for well over a year without fail. So there are some eceptions to every rule I guess This recipe is soooo simple that the newest soap maker can make a great batch of soap without discouragement, I *LOVE* it!!! Tha batches are smaller, but thats probably why its so hard to mess it up. It seems to me that the larger the batch the harder it becomes to control the oils and lye with milk combination. Just my 2 cents ;D

[FlipFlopFarmer]

I'm drying some mint right now to add to my first soap recipe. I just gotta find the darn time to make it without kids under my feet. ;D

[Deleted]

I know just what you mean about kids under foot!!! I like to make mine at night, right after I put the lil stinkers to bed LOL ;D
The mint sounds yummy! I am looking forward to this summer when I'll have fresh from the garden herbs to add to mine also. I wanna try a rosemary soap for starters, I *LOVE* the smell of rosemary!!! I recently made a oatmeal, honey, cinnamon facial soap, it turned out really nice.

[Empress]

ok, question for you all, with the laundry soap recipes, how would you suggest altering/ reducing the amout used for a HE washer? (high Eficciancy)
I'd love to make my own, but the washer freaks out with regular laundry soap. I was told that you could try a smaller amount of reg. soap, but when I did, it was BAD, just like a cartoon, with bubbles everywhere.
Any sugestions?
Marie

[janie]

Wow I cant believe I missed this post! I've got a freezer full of frozen milk (long story) we are feeding to the pigs, but I definitely want to make some soap. I to have been talking about it for years. These recipes sound really doable. Very excited ;D

Janie

[Deleted]

Just wanted to add......I made a batch of soap and it didn't turn out, it was dry and crumbly so I substituted my hand soap for the Fels Naptha soap. It was scented also, so now I have scented laundry soap. I used all of the other ingredients you listed for laundry soap, just switched the soaps.

[Lesli]

Bump, again, uh so I never made the soap way back when, but I am gonna do it maybe this week end!! Need to be able to find this recipe. Does anyone have just a milk, lard and lye recipe? I need measurements.

Lesli