Soapmaking...

[Bidah]

So, we have had an excess of Goat milk for a while, and just nothing to do with it. The other week I decided that we could do something with it. First on the list was to make Goat Milk Soap. Last night I did the first batch and we will see in about 6 weeks how good it is. Interestingly enough, I have found recipes (old time) for making laundry, hair, baby, and other soaps.

Next to work on cheese...

-Bidah

[FN74]

Please share the recipes if you would.

[Bidah]

Good idea...

Basic Goat Milk Soap.

3C Cool Distilled Water
2C Goat Milk
1 1/4 C Lye (pure lye, or Sodium Hydroxide)
12C Lard or some other fat.

Place water in container, add lye stirring very carefully. Allow mixture to cool to 85 , yes it gets hot. Then add the milk and stir for 5 minutes. It may be hot again. Allow to cool to 75.

Warm lard to 85, and then add it to the lye mixture, slowly and carefully. Continue to stir until mixture is like thick honey.

Pour mixture into container as a mold. I use a box lined with saran wrap. Let it set for a week or so, then cut into bars. Let those set for about 5 more weeks to finish up the soaponification process.

I added chopped up Sage to mine for some smell. Believe me, you need to add some smell.

I am going to try Oatmeal and Honey next.

-Bidah

[Ryder]

Lard and the lye are the main ingredients in homemade soap.

I guess the goats milk is to help keep your skin soft and smooth ;).

[Bidah]

Ryder, you would be correct. You can use any type of oil/fat. Lard is just cheap... The goat milk makes it softer. I have a recipe for a baby bar and hair soap as well. I will get there.. This next spring we should have twice as many milking, so I will have more to experiment with. Plus, I want to get back to making cheese as well.

One thing that I did find out though is that Lye is becoming tightly regulated. It is one of the ingredients in making meth, which surprised me, and it did not..

-Bidah

[FN74]

Thanks for that recipe. I have some fresh herbs in the garden still, maybe they would go well with homemade soap. Sage is growing great in the garden still - you need any?

[Bidah]

Nope, we have millions of acres of it around here, ready all year round, and free for the taking.. :)

-Bidah