Making your own toiletries...

Oh, I was going to dig out a couple of books for you that you might find useful. I have some recipes tucked away somewhere copied from the books that I learnt from. Sorry to annoy you.

And she's back!

That would be awesome :) Sorry hun, but you were coming off a bit condescending... I would love to learn as long as it's a cheaper alternative. I have a few books here but they call for really expensive ingredients, and I want the simple life stuff. Cheap and easy but still effective. I don't plan on using it for gifts or selling or anything like that. Just would love some easy tried and true recipes that don't involve Lye or anything too exxy.

I like blogs because it seems a lot of people experiment with recipes from this very funky book I'd like to have, I also like the fact there are pictures and trails of comments from people who've tried it. But books are definitely good, especially if you have tried them. I guess I was just hoping for a place that we could share the cheaper alternative, the more natural alternative and having fun all in the same process as it appeals to me a lot :)

The liquid soap I'm making today (if I can find the bloody glycerine) is with soap flakes, glycerine, essential oils and water. I tried the other type with olive oil but it solidified instead of liquified even after adding lots of water.

I have a book called Homemade & it has heaps of stuff in it. You can get it from readers digest online for $50 or in Kmart for $21

Rouge, all the Lye is, is the sodium hydroxide or caustic soda (borax). lt's not expensive. You just buy it form the supermarket in the cleaning section. If you want to borrow my book, you are more than welcome, I'll post it to you and you can copy what you want from it and post the book back to me.

I use Borax a lot with cleaning. I have lots of it. I'm pretty sure it's not Lye though. Borax is Sodium Borate. Unless I'm super confused, which is more than possible. ;)

I really don't want to use Caustic Soda as I have a huge chemical phobia (stems from an accident in high school lol) and I'm a bit paranoid around the kids. I've had lots of people tell me it's not dangerous, but I've also see Lye burns too.

i have a book that makes liquid soap and it calls for liquid castile body soap :dunno: i have no idea what it is but thought id mention it :lol:

Maybe it is me that is confused? I read a soap recipe that called specifically for borax as lye.... :dunno: Now I am confused!

I haven't had any accidents with chemicals (except for chemical burns from too much contact with cleaning stuff at an old job.... noice), but I'm not enthused on the idea of using caustic soda either.

Olive; I've heard of that soap, but off hand, can't remember what it is. Just a soap base ?

Goat's milk soap is wonderful and gentle for childrens skin conditions. Google it, and you will find plenty of recipies.

Thanks Kimmi, that sounds great. I will have a look today. So far been to 3 different supermarkets and come home minus Glycerine. I think a trip to bunnings is in order.

cai have you tried a health food shop??

you have inspired me to make some stuff too, im itching to go to the shops now... will see how DD is this arvo and i might go :D

I'm also making Clothes Detergent... but thats another thread ;)

Books are found in libraries. I was asking you what you wanted specifically so I could point you to the right places, or share what I already have.

Ok I'm just ignoring you now till you stop being narky :p