foxandmonkey
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- Sep 26, 2014
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Hello all,
First post here and brand new to soapmaking. I imagine based on what I have read so far that this is likely my next obsession, to go along with sourdough bread making and a few others! I'm trying to read as much as possible without asking questions that have likely been asked and answered time and time again but I do have one specific to using local ingredients. I know that oils such as olive and coconut are very well regarded for soap making, but unfortunately coconuts and olives don't grow in the UK! Part of the reason I want to start making my own soaps (and other body products) is to live not only more naturally, but also more sustainably.
Now both lard and tallow are readily available here and I like the idea of using what are quite often waste products in soap. Other oils which can be locally sourced include rapeseed oil (we have some really nice cold pressed extra virgin ones too), hemp seed oil, linseed oil and borage seed oil. Essential oils get a bit more tricky but, based on the minute amounts used compared to base oils, I think that locally sourced is less important. (I do a lot of cooking and try to buy all my produce locally but spices obviously can't be). That being said, perhaps doing infusions of locally grown herbs in the oils could replace the use of imported essential oils? I have also heard that ground horse chestnuts make for a nice exfoliant to add.
Does anyone have any experience using these ingredients (or others) for 'local soap'? Would be interested to know if people have any recipes I could try of general guidance to percentages for these oils etc. Also any thoughts or ideas for other ingredients that are local to SW England / Wales for scent, lather, preserving, exfoliation or other.
Thank you in advance.
Best Regards,
James (Monkey)
First post here and brand new to soapmaking. I imagine based on what I have read so far that this is likely my next obsession, to go along with sourdough bread making and a few others! I'm trying to read as much as possible without asking questions that have likely been asked and answered time and time again but I do have one specific to using local ingredients. I know that oils such as olive and coconut are very well regarded for soap making, but unfortunately coconuts and olives don't grow in the UK! Part of the reason I want to start making my own soaps (and other body products) is to live not only more naturally, but also more sustainably.
Now both lard and tallow are readily available here and I like the idea of using what are quite often waste products in soap. Other oils which can be locally sourced include rapeseed oil (we have some really nice cold pressed extra virgin ones too), hemp seed oil, linseed oil and borage seed oil. Essential oils get a bit more tricky but, based on the minute amounts used compared to base oils, I think that locally sourced is less important. (I do a lot of cooking and try to buy all my produce locally but spices obviously can't be). That being said, perhaps doing infusions of locally grown herbs in the oils could replace the use of imported essential oils? I have also heard that ground horse chestnuts make for a nice exfoliant to add.
Does anyone have any experience using these ingredients (or others) for 'local soap'? Would be interested to know if people have any recipes I could try of general guidance to percentages for these oils etc. Also any thoughts or ideas for other ingredients that are local to SW England / Wales for scent, lather, preserving, exfoliation or other.
Thank you in advance.
Best Regards,
James (Monkey)