I was making a batch of homemade yoghurt this morning, thinking about someone asking me recently if there was "anything you can't make?" and my reply-which was that yes, there is much I don't know how to do but I'll go out and learn how if I want to! Recently I have learned how to do the following for myself after finding information online:
* Make soap
*Make laundry detergent
*Make sourdough bread, cakes and pancakes
*Make yoghurt in my Thermos
*Make my own citrus cleaner
That whole process of mentally musing made me ponder why many people DON"T try new things...and I think that it just could be through fear! In our consumer driven society all advertising is centred around perfection and the atainment thereof...our human frailties are focused upon, our imperfections are highlighted and the products advertised are always presented as perfect!
Reality has blemishes- as does some of the produce coming out of our backyard! When you learn a new skill, chances are the finished product will NOT be picture perfect-it will most likely be totally adequate and will come with a sense of achievment; but will show the handcrafted nature of your work!
She who maketh mistakes will be learning so much!
Showing posts with label homemade soap. Show all posts
Showing posts with label homemade soap. Show all posts
Monday, February 6, 2012
Friday, January 13, 2012
Soap me up Scotty!
After spending the morning at work I came home to "potter" in the garden in order to destress-and then decided to make a batch of soap.
I use the cold press method described here: http://down---to---earth.blogspot.com/2010/09/soap-new-recipe.html . It is very easy and safe ( as long as the appropriate precautions are followed).
This is my third batch of soap-the first I just made as the Castile Soap, whereas my second batch became Oatmeal & Honey. All I did was whizz some rolled oats to a finer consitency ( around a cup I think) and added the oats plus a tablespoon of honey to the saponified mix once it reached trace. My husband loves the Oatmeal & Honey, so with this batch I used some of the base mix to make some heart shaped guest soap, then use the rest to make Oatmeal & Honey.
I think that 3 or 4 batches a year will provide enough soap for our personal use plus what I give as gifts ( I used half of each of the first two batches as Christmas gifts last year!).
Soap making is such a simple yet useful skill-yet so few know how to make their own soap these days! I am so grateful to Rhonda at Down To Earth for not only drawing together the skills which were in danger of becoming forgotten; but also in having the generosity of spirit in sharing them!
I use the cold press method described here: http://down---to---earth.blogspot.com/2010/09/soap-new-recipe.html . It is very easy and safe ( as long as the appropriate precautions are followed).
This is my third batch of soap-the first I just made as the Castile Soap, whereas my second batch became Oatmeal & Honey. All I did was whizz some rolled oats to a finer consitency ( around a cup I think) and added the oats plus a tablespoon of honey to the saponified mix once it reached trace. My husband loves the Oatmeal & Honey, so with this batch I used some of the base mix to make some heart shaped guest soap, then use the rest to make Oatmeal & Honey.
I think that 3 or 4 batches a year will provide enough soap for our personal use plus what I give as gifts ( I used half of each of the first two batches as Christmas gifts last year!).
Soap making is such a simple yet useful skill-yet so few know how to make their own soap these days! I am so grateful to Rhonda at Down To Earth for not only drawing together the skills which were in danger of becoming forgotten; but also in having the generosity of spirit in sharing them!
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Gonna wash that grime right outta my hair....
Those of you reading along at home will remember that a few weeks ago I made soap for the first time ( using the recipe from here: http://down---to---earth.blogspot.com/ ).
Yesterday I made up my own shampoo using offcuts from that soap. I shaved some of the soaps to tidy them up before packaging as Christmas gifts. Then I took the shavings, placed them in a jar and added around the same quantity of boiling water. A bit of stirring to dissolve the soap and I had my shampoo!
I know that there are posts elsewhere about using the soap just as is without diluting it-but I find I like the sensation of applying the liquid onto my scalp.
I used it this morning and it took the salt and grime from my day at the beach yesterday clean out! As someone with ridiculously sensitive skin I am really pleased with this lovely soothing soap-which is clearly multipurpose!
Yesterday I made up my own shampoo using offcuts from that soap. I shaved some of the soaps to tidy them up before packaging as Christmas gifts. Then I took the shavings, placed them in a jar and added around the same quantity of boiling water. A bit of stirring to dissolve the soap and I had my shampoo!
I know that there are posts elsewhere about using the soap just as is without diluting it-but I find I like the sensation of applying the liquid onto my scalp.
I used it this morning and it took the salt and grime from my day at the beach yesterday clean out! As someone with ridiculously sensitive skin I am really pleased with this lovely soothing soap-which is clearly multipurpose!
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Cleaning up the cleaning..........
As someone with sensitive skin who also wants to spend less on the essentials, I was eager to try the recipe for home made laundry powder found on the Down To Earth site ( link: http://down---to---earth.blogspot.com/2007/08/various-recipes-for-green-cleaning.html .
This morning I made my first batch of concentrated laundry powder-and it is so easy!!!! Have to love that! :-)
I mixed together:
4 cups Lux soap flakes
2cups washing (lectric) soda
2cups borax
and placed it all in a plastic container. 2 tablespoons/wash will work out very economical and will give my skin a break too!
Next project is to make some homemade soap using olive oil & copha. If the soap turns out I'm contemplating putting together some gift baskets with home made, green cleaning products for Christmas presents....
This morning I made my first batch of concentrated laundry powder-and it is so easy!!!! Have to love that! :-)
I mixed together:
4 cups Lux soap flakes
2cups washing (lectric) soda
2cups borax
and placed it all in a plastic container. 2 tablespoons/wash will work out very economical and will give my skin a break too!
Next project is to make some homemade soap using olive oil & copha. If the soap turns out I'm contemplating putting together some gift baskets with home made, green cleaning products for Christmas presents....
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
