“Rural Suds by Sandy” – Keeping it Rural

By Sandy Considine

We use soap every day, whether to wash ourselves, our clothes, or our dishes. In the supermarket, it is easy to come by and cheap. But lately, there have been more people buying natural soaps. Why do I make my own soap?

Fun fact: the “soap” you buy in stores is not really soap. According to the FDA, real soap is made of “alkali salts of fatty acids” (essentially, oils or fats combined with lye). To mass-produce soap, companies have found it is easier to use synthetic ingredients instead of oils. Therefore, most mass-produced soap-like products (Dove, Irish Springs, etc.) are not technically soap, but a “synthetic detergent product.”

When I make soap, you can be assured that it is actual soap because I am in charge of the ingredients I put in it! I avoid synthetic materials, harsh chemicals, and unnatural fragrances.
The ingredients in real soap are simple:
Fat – animal, vegetable, or mineral oils
Lye – the alkaline used to hold the soap together
Water

That is it! Just three ingredients. I also add natural fragrances such as essential oils or beauty fillers like herbs, flowers, spices, clay, coffee and salt. The bottom line: I am in control of the ingredients in my soap and, therefore, the overall health of my and your skin.

I use the cold process method of making soap. The cold process method uses the heat created by the oil and lye reaction to make soap instead of adding heat. This method reduces the need for heating the lye and takes between four to six weeks to set up. Making soap might seem like it would be a hassle. I can guarantee you that it is at times. Your soap does not always turn out, your colors change when cooled, your soap cracks or doesn’t harden like it should. But all-in-all 90% of the time it turns out and it surprises you when you cut it and you see the beauty in each bar. When using essential oils, your whole house smells divine. I think the hardest part of soap making is waiting for the soap to cure and getting your combination of essential oils to blend together for the scent you are trying to create. Scent levels in soaps can be subtle to complex, you have base, middle and top notes if using different fragrances. Soap can be fruity, spicy, floral and woody.

After all these practical, environmental, and healthy reasons to make soap, this reason might sound a little tame, but it is true. I make soap because I love the process. I love the challenge and the ability to create and offer good natural soap.

With the satisfaction of creating something, the knowledge that my soap is better for me and your health, and the pleasure of giving soap as gifts to others, there are many ways to find genuine enjoyment in the process of making homemade soap. Having fun is another reason why I make soap and creativity never ends. Learning never ends; I take online workshops to expand my knowledge on how I can make my soap prettier in design and patterns.

I have been making soap for 3 years now and I am grateful to the people who purchase my soap from Facebook and word of mouth. I use local Lard or Tallow, Olive oil and Coconut oil. These oils are the only oils I use. My essential oils are organic, coloring ingredients vary based on the scent of the soap. I use an advanced Lye calculator, so my soap is ideal for your skin with the properties of Conditioning, Hardness, Cleansing, Bubbly, Creaminess and Longevity.

I was a bit frightened thinking about making soap and using lye. The amount of protection is needed by wearing goggles, special rubber gloves, and a face mask so you don’t inhale the fumes, table protection and making sure your feet are covered in case you drop a few lye granules on the floor. Your containers need marked LYE so you don’t use them for anything else. And most importantly, children and pets are out of the room.

I love making soap even with all the steps needed and the disappointments at times because soap is a needed product so why not use soap that is good for your skin. My soap is available on Facebook under Marketplace and my Facebook page “Rural Suds by Sandy”. My newest soaps are in the cure process and won’t be ready until the end of October and the 2nd week of November. They are a version of Chanel #5 (feminine and elegant). Peaceful Lavender is a combination of lavender, vanilla, musk and sandalwood. Flannel is my new man scent with Cedarwood, nutmeg, bergamot, vanilla and orange. Autumn is a combination of cloves, cinnamon, apple, orange and vanilla.

My most bought scents are Patchouli, Lavender and Vanilla. I usually have about 9 different scents for the holidays. If you have a special request, just remember it takes at least 4 to 6 weeks before you can get it. I also offer small party size as a thank you or a parting gift for baby showers, weddings, etc.
Keeping it rural, keeping it natural is my priority in soap making.