Soap Book

by Sandy Maine

Fire Light, Forest Garden, Gentlemen Farmer, Lemon Verbena, Oat and Wheat Bran--this is but a sampling of the thirty wonderful recipes you'll find in this guide to making soap. History, chemistry, equipment, plants, and oils--everything you need to know to create your own all-natural, handcrafted, herbal, aromatherapy, and floral soaps.

Genres: Nonfiction

96 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1995

Reviews

[Shannon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nothing special here. This book has essentially one recipe - olive oil, coconut oil, and Crisco - with a dozen different scent combinations. There is a nice section on different exfoliating fillers such as cornmeal and wheat bran, but in general this book reads like an advertisement for her soap making company. Don't bother unless you are really stretched for essential oil blending ideas.

[DC · Rating 3 out of 5]

The actual method described seems like an outline; I'm not sure this book is for beginners.

I enjoyed reading the brief history of soap making.

I would have liked to see more recipes that don't involve patchouli (personal preference) and more photos of the finished soaps.

[Vaishali · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some *surprising* facts and recipes:
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Facts:
* First evidence of soap in Sumerian tablets circa 2500 BC
* A soap factory was buried under Pompeii ash circa 79 AD
* Name derived from Mount Sapo, where ancient Romans sacrificed animals and the rains washed down a mix of fats & wood ashes into the Tiber River. The soapy goop was discovered to be useful for washing clothes, fur, and skin.
* Soap guilds spring up in 7th century, heavily guarding secret recipes
* King James I grants a monopoly of $100,000 annually to a single soap maker in 1622
* English soap tax repealed in 1853, converting soap from a luxe to mainstream item. Personal hygiene comes into vogue.
* Napolean's favorite was the famed "Brown Windsor" soap

Recipes:
* Men's soap containing kerosene and pumice
* The author's beautiful, proud male cat who secretly rolled in sweet-smelling oakmoss inspired her to add it to soap.
* She adds cosmetic-grade clay for a strong scent

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book has great pictures of their soaps, good instruction, and lots of fun recipes in the back. i'm reading different kinds of soap books from the library until i get stocked with what i need and actually attempt to make my first batch...this book does motivate me to hurry it up though - the soaps are beautiful!

[Cheryl Merrell]

This the book I make all my soap from. Excellent.