The Basics of Cold Process Soap Making ~ Homemade Soap ~ DIY Soap Rack ~ Natural Handmade Soap

When I learned to make lye soap from my grandmother in the 70s, we used a huge cast iron pot, melted the lard over an open fire, poured in the lye, and cooked for some time. The hard part was pouring it into the cheese cloth lined wooden crate. That stuff could take a stain out of anything. I also learned how to make lye from wood ash. We sold it at the Yesteryear Fair in Decatur, IL for the historical society. My great-grandmother tried to make soap in her basement around that time, when no one was there, and the lye ate through her aluminum pot, coating the basement floor in soap. Great-grandma was born in 1888 and had quite a personality.

Good morning Mary, had been really looking forward to this video. Your kindness and generosity of spirit is so welcome to all of us watching. Thank you! ☺️

Hi Mary, I have been a handmade soap maker for 25 years and enjoyed watching your video!! Just a little FYI. If you'll substitute your castor with another oil, it will keep your soap from saponifying so quickly and allow you more ease and time to work with it in the design stages. I've been following you since Dec 2021 and so appreciate your authenticity! My daughter and family were coming for Christmas, and I wanted to make a craft with my 4-year-old granddaughter Abigail and found your video. I was hooked then on your style and talent and your gift in making videos of your work! Abigail and I made the snow pinecone Christmas trees with the wooden stars and colored balls and gave them as gifts to our family. LOVE and blessings to you! I love all the videos and your Rosemary

Who would have thought that so much planning and timing goes into making a bar of soap. I now have a new appreciation! Thank you so much for this tutorial Mary. Your son is adorable.

Oh! I love this video! My Grandmother Tracy made lye-soap using collected bacon grease - a necessity since she lived through the Depression. Her homemade soap was used in the kitchen sink for dishes, in the washing machine for clothes, and in the bathtub for dirty bodies. One of my most precious memories is sleeping between her deliciously clean and pure smelling sheets that were washed with her lye-soap and dried in the sunshine! My soul was filled with delicious joy as so many memories flooded my heart and mind! I am determined to order supplies and start making my own soap too. Thank you again, Mary Yoder, for your delightful video!!!!

So fun to watch you make soap! I’ve been making my own cold process soap for years and never tire of it. I think you said you thought a glass bowl could be used when mixing the lye. No! I tried that right at the beginning with a Pyrex bowl. The temperature shoots up so fast when the lye is added that the glass shatters! ❤

Although I have no interest in soap making I found myself enjoying this video. One reason this is my favorite channel is that Mary has so many interests and skills that she shares with us........there's something for everyone, and always something to learn. Mary is a "modern old fashioned woman" and her joy in life is a testament to her faith in Jesus.

What a wonderful episode! I’m very intimidated by soap making but you, my sweet lady, are courageous! Your soaps are beautiful and I bet they smell amazing! Would you ever have thought that you’d be dabbling in so many fabulous crafts??? John’s shelf is beautiful. What a great craftsman he is. Loved seeing the new shop! My mouth dropped open seeing all that gorgeous fabric! I know that people are gonna keep you busy in soap making! Your cottage guests will feel so spoiled! The Air B and B’s that I clean leave handmade goat’s milk soaps out for their guests. People appreciate such special touches like that! I wish you guys all the best!!! 🌼🫶🏻🙌🏻💗😊🧼

Good morning Mary. Loved watching this and I will be ordering the Rose and Peony when it is available. The little oval soaps are adorable and perfect for your cottages. I was wondering if you have thought about offering these in a few different scents as a bundle on your shop. That way, your customers could actually smell them before they bought the full sized bar. I always get excited when you have posted a new video. Just love your creativity.

You are very generous sharing your knowledge. I can’t buy from you as I’m in the UK and by the time I’ve paid tax and duty and handling fees it becomes very expensive. But all your products and work looks amazing. 💕

That soap looks so good! I didn’t realize how much goes into making soap…very interesting!

Mary, you always amaze me with your creativity, love the shelf John built. Soap making always seems a little complicated, I think I’ll start with candle making, lol. I’m sure it gets easier after a few times.xxx

Product presentation and display is everything! You can have a wonderful product, but if it's not displayed nicely people will just pass it by. Great job, Mary, be blessed today!

I’m always amazed at the quantities of products you can buy in the US. Usually, the largest quantity of a product here in Australia e.g. oils, is only 1 litre/33.8 ounces. It’s quite frustrating when wanting to make soap, candles, face creams etc to have to buy small bottles, which are also very expensive. I always hope that my recipes turn out well so as not to waste time and money. I love your channel and the inspiration it brings me. ❤

Making soap is a science! Your explanation was enlightening even to those of us who don’t plan to make it. Thank you

I’m glad you showed all of the work you go through to make your soap. Sometimes people don’t appreciate the time it takes to create something from scratch. Congratulations on getting floor space in a new store. I wish you success!

There are a lot of steps in the process but oh so worth it!!! Just beautiful and the stand John made is perfect!!! God bless you and your family!

I will never make soap but loved watching the process! Thanks so much for taking the time to video it for us. I’ve heard folks complain at craft fairs and market stalls about the cost of handmade goods. I wish they understood the time and research that goes into the products small producers put into it. Great job! 👏🇨🇦

I love the pink swirled soap! So pretty. That’s a lot of work. Also love your display stand.

Thank you so much Mary, for doing this video! I’ve been making soap for years but have never done the coloring/swirling so I look forward to trying that! I will also be checking out Addies next time I’m in the area 😃 God bless you!