Went to two rummage sales after thinking about getting into soap making and
By writersedge
@writersedge (22563)
United States
August 15, 2008 6:05pm CST
guess what? I got a glycerine soap for melting, molding, coloring, scenting kit for a dollar. I also got a blender for two dollars. I'll use the blender to do the jewelweed to add to some soap.
So have you ever thought about something and then found one or more items related to it at a rummage sale, in a thrift store, or even have a friend give you something like what you thought about?
Have you ever made soap bars by melting glycerine and pouring into molds? This kit came with hearts. Or even melting small pieces of leftover soap and pouring into molds. I think lots of people throw soap away. I often put pieces in a soap dispenser in water to make them go farther. Do you do that too? What do you do to make your soap go farther? As kids my Mom used to pour 1/2 our shampoo into an other bottle and fill both halfs up with water. That way we had twice as much shampoo, seemed to lather better to.
I also have soapwart (bouncing bet) near me, so I can make shampoo, too. Do you make your own soap, shampoo, dishwashing liquid or laundry soap?
5 people like this
15 responses
@lilaclady (28207)
• Australia
16 Aug 08
Oh I have never heard of amyone making their own soap before, how interesting and what a find at the jumble sale, which reminds me it is saturday day here in Australia i better go for my little drive around and see if there are any garage sales near me...maybe i will find something good...
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
16 Aug 08
If you do find something good, please let us know.
Yes, people can make soap at home, glycerine melt is easiest and least dangerous. Plant type is also ok, but not very long lasting.
So you call them jumble sales in your area. I wonder why. Like rummage is because people rummage around trying to find a bargain. Garage sales, yard sales, barn sales, porch sales are because of the location of the sale.
I love how international this all is, fun to learn from people form other countries, isn't it?
3 people like this
@lilaclady (28207)
• Australia
16 Aug 08
yeh jumble sales is an older name and usually people say that for schools and nursing home sales although another name they have been using lately is boot sales as in car boot or trunk as they say in the US...i love them no matter what they are called...
2 people like this
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
16 Aug 08
I love them, too, no matter what they are called. Do people actually sell out of their trucks/boots of their cars? Or is it just an expression?
3 people like this
@mynameismine (771)
• United States
16 Aug 08
I have been thinking about doing this for quiet a while now but have never gotten around to doing more than just looking at web sites. I do mix up my own lotion concoctions because I have really bad skin and most of what is out there burns me so I mix up my own with stuff I have at home. Works better and saves money, plus I can pronounce everything I'm using which is always a plus in my book. My biggest fear of making my own soaps would be using lye, not something I really want to play with. But I think I found some recipes yesterday that don't use lye at all so I might look into it a bit more later.
3 people like this
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
17 Aug 08
Oh yes, there are many with and without lye. Lye is quite dangerous. Please let us know if you do and how they turn out.
I had a friend who turned her homemade lotions into a business. Something to think about. Thanks and take care.
1 person likes this
@ali136 (199)
• United States
16 Aug 08
I've never made my own soap, shampoo, dishwashing liquid, or laundry soap, but I have bought handmade soap before. A friend of mine makes soap and sells it. The smell is awesome, and it doesn't leave that filmy feel when you rinse it off. The bar I am using now is speariment. It has little seeds in it that exfoliate your skin. It's gentle enough to us on your face, but does such an excellent job I use it all the time. Good luck in your endeaver.
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
17 Aug 08
Mint soap, really? That sounds cool. Seeds in the soap, that is different from anything I've ever heard also. Oatmeal to exfoliate, but seeds. Interesting. Thanks very much for sharing. Glad you friend makes soap. Seems like a good business. Take care
1 person likes this
@carolbee (16230)
• United States
16 Aug 08
Glad you got a good bargain. You really know how to shop. I have often thought of buying what I needed along with taking a class to make soap. Thought it would be fun. But I am so addicted to working with plastic canvas that I can't quit..lol
I love designing my very own projects to use at home. If they work well and are handy, I will make more and take to a craft fair.
2 people like this
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
16 Aug 08
Broken soap can be used in a variety of ways. Never thought about blending it with the next piece like PearlGrace below you, though. Take care
2 people like this
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
16 Aug 08
Plastic canvas work really ranges. I've seen so-so stuff to amazing stuff that I didn't know was plastic canvas until I was right on top of it. It can be used for so many things.
With your plastic canvas ability, I bet that could also transfer as a skill to some kind of rag rug making. Take care and thanks.
2 people like this
@FlaKNMB (831)
• United States
17 Aug 08
What a fabulous find! I love finding craft items and supplies at yard sales. For instance, I can occassionally find a Creative Ideas for Living hardcover craft book at a yard sale for $1. I always buy those!
I've enjoyed lots of crafts, but have never made soap. I think it would be really fun and could make a fabulous gift. Many, many years ago, I used to put stickers and tiny pictures on bars of soap and then seal them with wax. I would also paint little details on the soap before sealing it. I think making bars of soap would be even more fun than that!
Enjoy your wonderful find and be sure to let us know how your project(s) turns out.
2 people like this
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
18 Aug 08
I just read about a couple of weeks ago about putting pictures or stickers on soap with a little melted clear wax and covering with a little clear wax. You can use the soap and the picture stays good. Thanks and take care.
1 person likes this
@thebeaddoodler (4262)
• Lubbock, Texas
16 Aug 08
Sounds like a great bargain if you like glycerine soap. It's drying to my skin so I can't use it. Instead I make mine from scratch. Bath bars, shampoo/bath bars, and laundry detergent. I've tried dishwashing soap, but I can't figure out what to put in it to keep my dishes from streaking in our extremely hard water.
With my hand made, natural soaps, when the bar gets really thin, I get a new bar and get both of them really wet and stick them together and let them dry. Viola! One bar, no leftovers!
2 people like this
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
17 Aug 08
Which from scratch? Lye and oil? Ashes and fat? Etc. Just curious as to your two main ingredients. I wonder if vinegar would help with streaking or lemon juice.
I love the bar combining idea, got to get my husband to try it, he hates my reusing soap in a pump bottle. Thanks and take care
1 person likes this
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
18 Aug 08
Lye and oil sounds interesting. I guess it could be addictive. Thanks and take care
@thebeaddoodler (4262)
• Lubbock, Texas
17 Aug 08
Lye and oil. I don't think the ashes are a stable, reliable enough source of lye. Commercial lye is more predictable. Besides, I don't have the patience to soak the ashes and extract the potassium hydroxide from them. 
I've tried putting vinegar in my rinse water and it didn't help with the dish streaking. I've tried putting a small amount of borax in the soap and that didn't do it either. Can't go with too much borax or it will be harsh on the skin.
I hope you find your soap making kit enjoyable. Be careful! Soapmaking is as addictive as myLot!
I've tried putting vinegar in my rinse water and it didn't help with the dish streaking. I've tried putting a small amount of borax in the soap and that didn't do it either. Can't go with too much borax or it will be harsh on the skin.
I hope you find your soap making kit enjoyable. Be careful! Soapmaking is as addictive as myLot!
@sweetgirl_k1 (3972)
• United States
16 Aug 08
That's great! I've never made my own soap before. Years ago I bought some stuff and made some candles though. It is nice to want stuff and then find it for so cheap when you are really wanting the item. I don't go to many yard sales but I have found some stuff before at a consignment shop for cheaper than regular price that I was wanting to buy for my son.
2 people like this
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
17 Aug 08
Consignment shops are nice. I've bought lots of clothes at them. I've had some stuff in one, but not much sold. Thanks and take care.
@wondericequeen (7876)
• Hong Kong
16 Aug 08
I think if I have time, I would definitely explore the ideas. I like making my own stuff and I always dream about having my own beauty stuff and making them. Think you should try and see how that goes, especially these days people are into those kinds of interesting products. Good luck!
2 people like this
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
16 Aug 08
Thanks, I appreciate the encouragement. I'm glad you're helping me with my discussions. I hope you are able to make your own line of beauty products some day. Take care and thanks again.
2 people like this
@PearlGrace (3171)
• United States
16 Aug 08
I think your find of all the soapmaking kit was quite a bargain! Plus the blender for $2? That is just unbelievable!
I have made soap by melting glycerine and pouring it into molds. Also, I used color and scent in it. It was alot of fun. I haven't ever melted down any left over soap. Usually, we just lather what's left of the old bar with the new one and "blend" them together. I rarely have to throw any soap away.
I never thought to put the soap pieces in a soap dispenser with water. Does that work? I mean, do they really soap up? I've not heard about splitting a bottle of shampoo into 2 bottles and filling them up with water. Guess it would soap up better that way, and last longer, too.
I've never made my own shampoo, dishwashing liquid, or laundry soap. If you know how to do all this stuff, writersedge, then you know alot more than me!
Good luck with your soapmaking.
2 people like this
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
16 Aug 08
A couple people above you here have some great ideas, too.
3 people like this
@gemini_rose (16264)
•
16 Aug 08
I have never made my own soaps or anything before but I love to buy homemade soaps. I think they are loads better than the shops and the smells of some of them are gorgeous!
2 people like this
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
17 Aug 08
Handmade do tend to be better with fewer additives. Thanks and take care.
1 person likes this
@Annie2 (594)
• United States
17 Aug 08
I have a friend who raises goats, and she makes goats milk soap! She makes oatmeal soap, too, I think. She sells her soap to a Bed & Breakfast, and to individuals who place orders with her.
The goats milk soap is supposed to be good for your skin, complexion and acne. I've never tried it, but will some day.
I've never made my own soap. I do add water to my dish soap to make it last longer and have added it to my shampoo, but usually don't remember to do that.
1 person likes this
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
17 Aug 08
I've heard that goat's milk is really, really gentle and nice. I haven't tried it, usually cost prohibitive and I don''t have goats. But that sounds great.
Thanks and take care.
1 person likes this
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
18 Aug 08
When I get a job and some money, I'll have to try that out again. Right now, I just lost 2 part-time jobs and I have only the 12 hour a week one left and that one will be cut even more hours soon. Thanks and take care.
1 person likes this
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
18 Aug 08
I'm very lucky and "I love it when a plan comes together."
1 person likes this
@fluffnflowers (1594)
• United States
16 Aug 08
Sounds like you got a great deal! I love homemade soap, but I've got too many projects going already. I have some jewelweed soap that I use when I get poison ivy, and it's really soothing for irritation. I've heard soapmaking is addictive!
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
16 Aug 08
I don't know if it's addictive or not, will have to see and let you know. Take care and thanks.
2 people like this
@Canellita (12029)
• United States
27 Jul 10
I wish I had saponacious plants growing near by! I've made melt and pour soap before from kits. It's fun to experiment.
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
16 Aug 10
Sopodimides, saponins, oh who knows.
Anyway, eaching soapwort, soapwart, bouncing bet pictures. You may have a soap plant in your area. Just make sure you check several pictures from different sources. One nert, s/he whoever had tall phlox as bouncing bet and they aren't the same.
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
16 Aug 10
Not eaching, searching, (sorry) if you do a search like:
soapwart pictures
soapwort pictures
bouncing bet pictures
Then look in your yard or even the neighbor's, you might have some. If not, search soap plants of USA. Most areas have at least one soap plant, yucca, etc. Happy searching and take care.
@Canellita (12029)
• United States
16 Aug 10
I doubt there is anything like that near here. Maybe a few miles away in the country, but not in town. I may have to look for a book on the subject.
@randylovesdar (4932)
• United States
13 Jul 10
I would love to get into soap making. I have been looking for cheap molds. I have also been looking for a recipe to make my own laundry soap so I can save money. I will have to try to garage sales to see if anyone has anything for soap making. I am also looking into making Christmas Ornaments.
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
22 Jul 10
There are lots of recipes for laundry soap online and also for making Christmas Ornaments. Just search recipes laundry soap and then later, how to make Christmas ornaments. You'll get tons! Thanks for responding and take care.
