Sunday, January 29, 2012

Saponification Sunday WHAMPOO!!

On the menu today at South Pork Ranch we have homemade Corned Beef. All the kids coming for our monthly dinner in a few hours, but first things first.

     SOAP.



Recently I made more shampoo bars. I call them WHAMPOO! bars because I can. When I started making soap 15 months ago I was one of those folk who had the shower full of bottles;shampoo,conditioner,deep conditioner, shallow conditioner, body wash, and usually one bar of industrial strength soap for my grungy feet.



Now, the only thing in my shower is homemade soap. Some is mine, some from others I've swapped with and then of course I love to buy other peoples homemade soap so I can compare and snoop. (Hmmmm that lather is thick enough to wash our cows. HOW did they do that?!?)

The shampoo bar was originally a recipe from the world famous Julia of Cocobong. If you soap and you don't know her, well leave my blog and check out hers RIGHT NOW    http://cocobongsoaps.blogspot.com/ 

(please come back, we little newbie soapers need fans too  'sniff)
Of course, I tweaked her recipe a bit because of no good reason that is why because, I just did OK?!



My recipe goes a like this

Babassu Oil                  20 oz                     Blood Orange EO    1oz
Olive Oil                      10 oz                      Lavender EO            1oz
Rice Bran Oil               20 oz                      Pink grapefruit         1 oz
Castor Oil                     5  oz                      Lemongrass EO        1 oz
Sweet Almond Oil       5oz

Lye 7.0   oz                                                Organic orange peel powder  1tsp
Distilled water   15 oz                                Annetto seed powder             1 tsp

I prepared a 3 in diameter PVC tube by spraying the inside with mineral oil and blocking off one end with anything round that I can tape to it. This might explain why our black cat Jackson is missing some hair on his hind side.  Then I put it on the floor with the open side up (the PVC tube not the cat) and taped the tube to an old bench I have, to keep the tube upright.



I mix the lye water and set aside
I mix oils and then blend in the EO's and the powders.
I pour the lye water into the oil mixture. The oils and lye water are all approximately 100 degrees F.
I mix it all into a lovely soupy orange mix. It will trace and get thick quickly.
I immediately pour into the PVC tube using a funnel with a wide end.

Because the mix is thick I do get a few air holes but I'm not concerned about those and my customers don't care either. We're a swarmy farmy bunch who judge soap by its ability to remove major barnyard gunk from skin and hair while not stripping it completely . (did you hear that? It was me rationalizing. One of my strong character traits)

I let it sit for 2-3 days and then with the great strength of my husband we push it out of the tube using a small tomato paste can and a broom. Well, he pushed while I hold the soap as it comes out the other end, keeping it from crashing to the floor. Yeah, we're professionals with high tech tools.


I let it sit another 24 hrs and then I cut with a kitchen knife into 5 inch sections. Each of those sections is split in half giving you a great hunky piece, about 5.5 oz to hold easily in your hand. The shape makes it very easy to hold in the shower and rub all over your hair. The evolving lather is unbelievable -HUGE-and therefore makes a super body bar as well. I have very dry middle aging grey and silver Crone hair and the bar is wonderful for it. Today, I'll be handing out samples to the girls in our family so they can test it on their long 20-something locks. Then I'll know how well it works on the youth of our society.



If you make a shampoo bar tell me a little about your recipe and why you love it.

Now back to my corned beef experiment. It's our own 100% grass fed beef brisket but the spices , peppers, salts were all collected at various stores and then there was the "pickling spice" I bought from that guy on the corner of Ashland and Grand. He seemed like a nice enough fellow.We'll see.
Wish my kids luck as they'll be the ones stuck eating it.

Yes, I know, I should've checked with you first Nessa, dangit. What was I thinking?

18 comments:

  1. Donna, this looks awesome! I really need to take the plunge and try making soap.

    I actually started making EO candles with 100% filler-free soy wax and lead-free wicks. Finding organic EO's are SO expensive. I found some naturally sourced one's that aren't certified. Where do you buy yours?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Very cool to hear how you make your soaps. My wife also loves them. So, start stocking up I think we are getting low and I'll be done for our dozen or so. It does get a little creepy though when the hairdresser/barber keeps smelling you and comments how good you smell. We finally gave him a bar.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Awww a real & true Pioneer woman! Love your blog!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I've never eaten proper home made corned beef, only that strange product that one finds in tins. I hope the kids survive; I'm sure they will!

    ReplyDelete
  5. That sounds like a wonderful concoction ~ both the whampoo and the beef! I do love using rice bran oil in my soap and shampoo bars so I know it will feel silky on your hair and skin :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Now why would I make my own "whampoo" when I can buy it from you! I love, love, love your whampoo. I haven't used any other shampoo since I've tried yours back in August or September 2011. I too, have middle age hair, dark with grey and natural wave. I do a vinegar rinse once a week, although I don't think it's necessary. My husband likes your whampoo,as well.
    Keep up the good work that you do.
    Your friend in Central Pennsylvania
    Cathy

    ReplyDelete
  7. Ashley I get my EO's from organic creations. http://www.organic-creations.com/servlet/StoreFront
    They are moderately priced and good quality. I have bought cheap EO's on ebay with poor results but every soaper has their own experience and favorite seller.

    Lana. My methods are often suspect but thank you anyway

    Doug, it is obvious your hairdressor is not a barber which means...you are probably getting a great haircut! Thanks for sharing the word about my soaps. Yes I am making Lots more, I just wish I had arelative in the oil business

    Sandy, Many thanks. I love your blog too, Its so unlike mine. Yours is pretty :)

    Topcat Thanks. I don't see the ricebran oil in many other soaps, probably because people know "olive oil", but I love it too.

    Cathy of White Frost, thanks so much. Your new order is almost ready to go!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Your corned beef sounds great. Nice soapies too, looks like you are having fun.

    Michelle

    ReplyDelete
  9. Michelle, The corned beef was very good but the spice combo was too uh...spicy for the potatoes and cabbage. Back to the drawing board.

    Yes, having lots of fun with the soap. Always learning something new from all of YOU guys though.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Wowsa...how have I missed you and your great blog until now?? I live about 40 minutes south of you...

    Going back to reading older posts...

    ReplyDelete
  11. OOPS. My bad. I was thinking of Chatham, IL which is south of Springfield.

    But....still.... lol

    ReplyDelete
  12. Akannie, no matter where YOU live , I am glad you found ME :)

    Oh OK, I'll be polite and check out your blog beacuse I am just fabulous that way

    ReplyDelete
  13. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Donna, i love the shape of your whampoo, i love too your blog.
    I am now experimenting with my shampoo bars, last week I tried one shampoo bar I made, it´s very simple: infusioned rosemary, thyme and chamomile wild collected where I live, olive oil, coconut and shea butter, lavander eo, and I liked the experience, this shampoo bar left my very long and hard hair very clean and silky.
    I´ll like reading how it worked in the hair of the youth of your house.
    kisses from the forest!!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Your high tech tools sound fairly similar to mine when it comes to getting soap out of PVC! This fits in the PVC, perfect!

    Robin
    Kinky Witch Soap

    ReplyDelete
  16. Here it is nearly Sunday again, and I'm just now reading your post. Whampoo sounds like a great name for your shampoo bars!!! I have also used variations on Cocobong's recipe. So far I'm loving the Beer & Seaweed version the best. And it's ALMOST ready to sell. Planning to wrap my round bars in unbleached coffee filters!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Hi, I love homemade 'ecological' stuff, food, household, as well for the body like facial & body creams, bubble fizz, scrubbs,...
    Your Whampoo looks fab. I am experimenting on soaps now and I noticed Cocobong's name severall times. I tried to go to her blog, but I can't get in, unless I am invited. Alas I don't have an email address where I can reach the lady. Please can someone help me out on this. Thank you!
    Have a nice day.

    ReplyDelete