Vintage Ivory – Soap Bar – It Floats!

Vintage Ivory Soap, It Floats @ Time’s Tin Cup !

The Smithsonian Institution recently acquired an extensive history of Ivory Soap. Ivory Soap is a product that has been ingrained into people’s consciousness since 1879. Who doesn’t automatically know that Ivory Soap is pure and floats?

When Ivory Soap was first launched, it was .05¢ for 10 ounces! It was promoted to use for everything from personal hygiene to cleaning laundry.

Did you know that it is relatively easy to make soap? And what a fun hobby that can be. You would always have your own supply of soap, get creative with the hobby and you will always have customized gifts for holidays. Get a little entrepreneurial with the hobby and sell soap on a website, at flea markets or yard sales!

How to Make Soap

Making your own soap has several benefits. Saves money, it’s healthier and you can make money as a product for a side business. Please use care and use proper precautions as you work through this recipe.

The equipment needed is minimal. More than likely, you already own most of it!

Instructions:

If you’re using a glass or wooden mold, line it with wax paper.
Put on your protective gear. Pour water into the jar until it reads 10.5 ounces. Then set aside.

Carefully pour 4.25 ounces of lye into the glass dish.
Put your goggles, mask and gloves on now. Carefully and slowly pour the lye into the water. Stir the mixture until the lye is completely dissolved. As you stir, the mixture will become quite hot so be careful if you need to move it. Let it cool to between 100-120 degrees.

Place the lard in a stainless steel pot and put it on the burner. Heat over medium heat until completely melted. Remove the mixture from the heat and let cool to between 100-120 degrees. Use a candy or meat thermometer to test the temperature every 5-10 minutes until it reaches the desired temperature.

Heat the oils and herbs you choose for your soap, like lavender and turmeric (this is where you can get creative once you have the hang of making soap!) in another pot to warm up while the lye mixture cools.

Slowly pour the lye/water into the oils. Blend in the pot, with a whisk, until it resembles a cake batter (3-5 minutes).
Pour the soap into the molds you have chosen.

Put the mold somewhere warm (like an oven with the light on) and let it sit for 24 hours.

After 24 hours, pop your soap out of the mold and cut if needed. Stand bars up in a dry area with space in between each one to allow for air circulation. Let them sit and harden.

When you’re done (with your gloves still on) rinse any supplies that had lye or soap mixture in them with running water. Pour some vinegar in a sink filled with hot soapy water and wash everything in there, then set aside away from your food prep area to dry. Store all soap making tools in a closet or cabinet away from food making tools.