Whilst in America, in September. We stopped in the town of Pagosa Springs, Colorado, one day, and did the touristy thing, of walking around the shops. In one of the shops we were given a sample of a goats milk soap, which we bought home to use. This sample piqued my interest enough, that I decided to start learning how to make vegetable oil soaps. Here are some photo's of my first batch and the equipment

It is a straight olive oil (Castile) soap, made using a cold process. This results in keeping the glycerine in the soap, giving it moisturizing properties, instead of the drying affect associated with commercial soaps (glycerine is extracted for use in other products).

This batch is two weeks old now, and I have just started using it. I find it much easier on my skin than what I have been using, so can see the continuation of me making soap, and experimenting with other formulations too. It will be interesting to see how this batch changes as it matures. If what I have been reading is correct, it should improve over the next month or so, whilst hopefully not turning rancid. Due to the manufactoring process, there is some excess oil (extra moisturizing), to ensure all of the sodium hydroxide is used in the conversion.