Saturday, February 6, 2010

What Fat Do You Use For Making Soap? ...Bacon, Anyone???

Most know that along with lye and water, fat is needed to make soap. These days, most handmade soap makers will use a blend of different oils (typically coconut, palm and olive oils) or vegetable shortening. On the package ingredients list of many commercial bars, you'll probably see the ingredient sodium tallowate. Can you guess what this might be? That's right! This ingredient comes from rendered beef fat. Yum!

BUT, soap can be made from practically any kind of fat...

Don't get squeamish while you read this next section, but here's another "fun" fact about soap: During World War II, the Nazi's were accused of mass producing soap made from human fat. Some suspect that this was just a rumour perpetuated by the Nazi's to frighten camp inmates, but evidence has been found to solidify the idea.

So, if soap can be made from any kind of fat, could you make soap from bacon fat? The answer is YES! I invite you to watch the video below to find out how. Who know's? If you wash with bacon fat, maybe that pesky neighbourhood dog will think your is best friend... if he doesn't chase you!

To best view this page/video, I suggest clicking the play button and the clicking the 'View All Steps On One Page' in the top left corner. Enjoy!



How to Make Bacon Soap - More DIY How To Projects

1 comment:

  1. My grandmother and all my old aunties always saved bacon fat and relatives would save bacon fat for one another for the purpose of soap making.
    My grandmother also made rugs out of old stockings!
    Just think, when I was born there was no such thing as plastic.

    ReplyDelete