Teach Soap

Istarted out with just a plain ol meat thermometer. Then I upgraded to this and like it alot better http://www.amazon.com/Digital-Non-Conta ... hermometer
I got my stock pots from walmart pretty cheap

That's a great price for a digital thermometer! I didn't think the meat ones would work, which is why I got a candy/deep fry one. Honestly I should replace my meat ones - they are ancient and I don't think they are very accurate. :-/

Harbour Freight is having a sale and you can buy a non-contact laser thermometer for about $10

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Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.

You can get some nice stainless steel stock pots from Walmart for under $10, 8 quart I think. They are a thinner steel, but work great for soap and lotions and shampoo (etc). I picked up 2 of them and absolutely love them! They were $6.99 before taxes. I also got some nice silicone spatulas for around $1 a piece.

You can also get cheap spoons, spatulas, and measuring vessels from Big Lots for great prices, and a lot better quality that the dollar store (I always worry about dollar store products with so much lead and mercury in their items... even plastics!).

Five Below is also a great place to pick up soaping stuff, if you have one nearby.

Also, check sales tables! I picked up a $40 knife set for $10 at Target because the box was torn! Also got a dozen stainless steel teaspoons for $4 because the handle pattern was discontinued.

The $1 section at the front of Target is also a great place to check. I've gotten mixing bowls, small measuring vessels, small measuring bowls, and some little dishes for mixing colourants in all from this section! As well as some organizational stuff. The majority of it was 2, 3, or 4 for $1!

If there is something specific you're looking for, PM me and I will let you know where I got mine, or where I have seen it. I'm cheap. Not even thrifty... darn right cheap LOL. I'll help if I can!!!

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~~Heather~~
Mad [soaping] Scientist

Love you! Super cheap myself, which is why I rarely shop. I forgot about the $1 section in Target! I'll check that out Monday. It's also why I don't have a lot of extra stuff in the house, I use things till they break for good. I went through the attic yesterday hoping I could find some old utensils but I have a feeling I freecycled them when I did my first pass at a super cleaning a couple of years ago. I love sales tables, that's the first place I head to whenever I'm in Staples.

I did get a long spoon at Ace for $1.50. Couldn't believe it. I'm not sure how close a Big Lot is to me, but I've tried Ocean State with little luck. I looked at their stuff in two stores, and so much is cheap made in China stuff that I had the same fears you did about the lead etc. I don't think I need much more to get started and I'm about to place my orders for supplies! I'm trying not to go too far overboard, I'm headed into my slow financial season and I really should be saving money but..... the plan is that this will save me in the long run.

<edit> OMG there is a Big Lot right in town, in a mostly vacant plaza set off the street. No wonder I didn't know it's there! I'll see if I can head over there tomorrow! I'm not using anything I've bought yet until I get it all sorted out.

Ahhh freecycle! I wish more folks used that. Especially here in NJ! I'd have loved to use second hand cabinets in my workshop but I couldn't find any giveaways. And the habitat for humainty shop wanted more for a used cabinet than I paid for all 3 brand new ones! Same quality too.

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~~Heather~~
Mad [soaping] Scientist

TBH I got a little fed up with it. I haven't gotten rid of anything in a couple of years but I have picked stuff up. I got really tired of people who'd reply for every email I sent, then never show (and then denied it when I called them out on it - I had ALL their emails and I gotta say, someone who asks about a bus schedule every time she emailed kind of stood out!). The last straw was when I had a guy refuse to tell me when he'd be by to pick up a large piece of pvc piping. Turned out he showed up when I was out (or home and never knocked, I could never really tell) and rooted through my back yard and took it from there. I went off on him publicly for that stunt. The reason I ask when they are showing up is so I can put stuff out front for them, but I didn't want something that big staying out there for days!

That rant said, in principle it's a good idea - if people follow simple rules of courtesy! And now I will peruse my freecycle emails for kitchen supplies lol

And remind myself to check out Big Lot tomorrow!

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Linda
I know the voices in my head aren't real, but they sure have some great ideas!

Honestly I'd have used the Habitat store, but they said its 30% to donation and 70% to "management". I think I'll just volunteer for them instead. Then its 100% donation!

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~~Heather~~
Mad [soaping] Scientist

I did make it to Big Lot - their sign is barely readable which is how I missed it. Cool store, I found a less expensive thermometer but no luck on any pots. All their measuring cups (ie the little sets from 1/4 cup to 1 cup) and measuring spoons are plastic though. I used to always be able to find metal measuring spoons and cups... but betting some of my spoons are aluminum. I can use those for anything but lye though right? I found stuff on amazon but I don't have anything else I need to get so I can get free shipping.

I'll return my other thermometer to Ace - PLUS I got a discount card in the mail from them today, so I'll get some lye when I do so.

Anyone find anything at the Christmas Tree Shop?

If any of your spoons or utensils are aluminum, it will react with lye. Save those for only cooking food.

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Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.

Hi all,

My wife and i make our own deodorant and i have provided a simple recipe below to help.

You will need the following.
¼ cup of baking soda
¼ cup of corn flour or arrowroot powder
¼ cup of coconut oil
15 drops of your choice or essential oil

Method
1. Blend baking soda, corn flour or arrowroot powder and coconut oil together in a bowl
2. Add up to 15 drops of essential oil.
3. Mix well
4. Store into an empty deodorant stick container or jar.

Just be careful with the amount of baking soda that you use as sometimes it can cause a rash. Perhaps try using a little less in the first instance and then increase the amount as you get more confident.

We will never go back to commercial deodorants now that we know how easy it is to make our own.

You can rally have some fun customising the smells of them too! Again just be carefull how much essential oil you use per batch as these are potent.

All the best!

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When the why gets stronger the how gets easier.

For more information on how to make deodorant visit www.howtomakedeodorant.com.

Hi ahutchins9,

First of all, well done for giving the recipe a go!

When you say you couldnt use it at all, what was the main problem?

Sometimes the baking soda can cause an issue in which case you could try removing it all together and replace it with a cornstarch and arrowroot powder blend.

Baking soda has so many functional uses such as relieving skin irritations, rashes, or bug bites. It is a mild antiseptic and also kills some unpleasant odours due to ability to neutralize pH levels.

Kaolin Clay is a mild clay and is suitable for sensitive skin. It helps stimulate circulation to the skin while gently exfoliating and cleansing it. If you find this is the most useful then keep using it.

We are constantly experimenting with new ingredients and combinations that we hear about so please let me know if there are any ingredients you are unsure of before using them as I would be happy to provide some feedback.

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When the why gets stronger the how gets easier.

For more information on how to make deodorant visit www.howtomakedeodorant.com.

Try Columbus Foods.com for your soaping oils. They are VERY reasonable, Eastern US, and their shipping is the lowest I have seen of anyone's.
You do not want glass measuring cups for lye because it etches and then it can explode/crack/break.
Where I live the drain cleaner lye is way more expensive than lye from a supplier. Essential depot or AAA chemicals or the lye supply guy usually have some kind of deal or sale going that makes them less expensive than buying from the hardware store in my experience (but some people are more lucky than me in my area I know- I think they hiked our prices due to fear of the drug trade!)

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Remember, it's not just that we weather the storm, but how we dance in the rain.

Tammy