Beth' el Acres Farm

Homesteaders Way Soap

I started making soaps in 1997.  My daughter  was 9 yrs. old at the time and started developing rashes and very dry patches on her skin.  I had read about goat milk soap and how people raved about it's gentleness on their skin. We had the goats for the milk so why not use it. One morning I was making soap and it turned into hours and hours, seemed like forever- the first recipe was a disaster, no matter how long I stirred, it would not come to trace. I thought my arms were going to fall off. I ended up adding water to it and using it for laundry soap. I proceeded to gather information and experimented with many different recipes; I then realized, that the simplest recipe, was my very favorite one. The only thing I change now is the essential oil to vary the scent and sometimes use more or less goat milk. I love simplicity and why fix something if it isn't broke. I sold 90 bars at Christmastime in 1999 for stocking stuffers. People loved my soap. One lady from church said that her 80 yr. old father's psoriasis starting clearing up. Now, I am not claiming any medicinal values here, but when I related this story to another soapmaker they had the same feedback on their goat milk soap. The funniest thing I have seen is my mother, in her late 60's, and my grandmother, in her early 90's, argueing over not using each others bar of goat soap..the memories!! The reason I love my soap is because store soap dried my skin making it feel taunt and I'd dash for the counter to slather on lotion- I don't have to do that with goat milk soap. I have a variety of scents to choose from: Lavender, Sweet Orange (this is my very favorite), Lemon Creme, California Dreamin (citrus blend), Tangerine, and my new bar, Sugar and  Spice. This bar has the aroma of cinnomin and cloves bringing back memories of Mom baking in the kitchen...mmm yummy- just don't eat it . One that is particularly wonderful, especially if you have a head cold, is my Breathe EZ bar, scented with a Citrus Eucalyptus blend . It smells so absolutely awesome in a warm shower. It makes you feel as though your breathing passages open up and you can breathe again. I will be experimenting with new scents in the future and will list them also.

Scented only with pure essential oils and/or spices-- No perfumes or dyes.

Ingredients: saponified vegetable oils, goat milk and/or distilled water.

I do have some bars made with Sweet Lard instead of vegetable oils and scented as well. These are also very good for dry skin  as the soap is very heavy in fat and the lather very creamy.

3.5 - 5 ounce bars

$3.50  -  5.00  per bar

Christmas is drawing closer; get your order of individual bars all wrapped in holiday decor. They make awesome stocking stuffers. Great homemade gifts that are perfect for family and friends.

Homemade Laundry Soap

I found this recipe on the internet sometime in 2007- I have yet to purchase another jug/box of laundry soap. The ingredients can be found at Fred Meyers. Items you will need are : a new 5 gallon bucket, a 5 qt. soup pot, wire whisk and a grater. Ingredients you will need are: 1 bar of your favorite soap (Coast, Ivory, etc),  1/2  bar of Fels Naptha, 1 cup Arm and Hammer Super Washing Soda and 1 cup of 20 Mule Team Borax.

Grate your soap and place in pot. Cover soap with warm water, fill pot half way with water. Turn on low heat, stirring occasionally until soap shavings are melted. Add 1 cup washing soda and 1 cup borax, whisk until dissolved in pot- you can add more water if it's too thick. Stir until well blended. Place your 5 gallon bucket in your sink,  fill bucket half way with warm water- add soap mixture from pot. Stir this until well blended. Fill bucket up slowly to about 3 inches from top and mix well. This will gel into a thick, gooey mixture, whisk occasionally (I use a long handled BBQ spatula to stir mine). I have my bucket next to the washer. I use an old coffee cup to measure 1-2 cups depending on how dirty laundry is. Hold a small plastic bowl under the cup to keep from dripping. I also use it to hold the cup when I'm done scooping the soap from the bucket. This soap is amazing and so much cheaper than store bought. I do still occasionally use bleach for whites or spray and wash for tough stains. This is estimated to be anywhere between 11 and 18 cents per cup, depending on which store you buy your products from. NOTE: If by chance your soap gel gets real thick just add some hot water and stir- I also found that adding soap gel into the washing machine first, then place the clothes in last, really gets the soap gel agitated good.