I think I've become "commercialized"

[rickboone1]

I've not tried many home brewed soaps, but those that I have they just weren't very impressive. The ingredients caused horrible burn and the lather has been quite lacking. I know many have used these same products with success and that is well. Me, not so. So, I began thinking about this. And, I don't want to put anyone down nor their talents. Just wondering if others feel the same way. I mean, we are dealing with skin. Our bodies. Is it safe to trust what someone brews in their kitchen over what would be created with the aid of a labratory scientist? I mean, anyone can make soaps. Search ingredients online (real reliable source, sarcasm implied), stir together and voila! But, at what expense? There are no FDA regulations governing the cleanliness of the facilites nor the "industry" for a "home brewer". Anything could end up in the "pot" and make it to your face. Now, granted that is not likely an issue with those that make their presence known on this board. But, what about their suppliers?

It is odd because typically I am all about natural and organic ingredients and products. However, my bad experiences are causing me to purchase stuff from a store shelf foremost. That too goes against so much, because typically I have always wanted to support the local businessman and their crafts.

Okay, the point of this was non-existent I know.

 

[valmara1971]

OK so the point I think you want to make is home made soaps don't work for you. You have correctly mentioned that all soapers on B&B have nothing but pride in their products and I believe would not use anything they wouldn't use on themselves. May I suggest talking to the folks who made the soaps that gave you irritation to see if they can taylor make a soap for you? That's got to be better than keeping Proctor and Gamble in Hawian islands right?

 

[wedwards]

I am sure there are soap makers down a dark alley somewhere making soap from rat and alley cat tallow, and maybe you got some of that?

Seriously, if a soap burns your skin, its generally due to one of 2 things;

1. It hasnt cured properly
2. You are allergic to one of the ingredients

I am ruling out stupid things like the make putting too much potassium hydroxide or other chemicals in the mix, as I assume they know what they are doing.

As has been suggested, maybe speak with some of the soapers here and get them to make you up something to your specifications - you will be happier with it, I am sure.

 

[13ALPHA]

alley cat tallow

Perfect name, sounds so good I would try it!

 

[JPM]

I'm not so sure I can agree with you on this one. The soaps I've gotten from the small soap makers on this site have been great. And as far as relying on the FDA, have you seen the number of products including drugs that get recalled after killing people that were produced by big companies and tested extensively?

I agree with one of the other comments, it probably has more to do with an ingredient that doesn't agree with you than the size of the soap maker's operation.

Of course, just my opinion.

 

[raisindot]

I agree with the others that your issues probably have more to do with the specific allergins than the making of soap.

Larger operation doesn't necessarily mean cleaner or healthier, as anyone who has been to a Tyson chicken processing plant could probably testify. I doubt that the Williams soap plant is a model of laboratory cleanliness. After all, look at the ingredients we're dealing with here--the fatty byproducts of dead animals! And I don't even want to know how the Mitchell's people get the lanolin into their MWF! Sometimes ya just have to have faith that no one's put any part of Fido or Ralphie or ***** in the mix.

Jeff in Boston

 

[Confilo]

Perfect name, sounds so good I would try it!

Alley cat tallow, it probably is a fat cat.

 

[MrGuy]

I feel much better about trying new things from the reliable soap makers that we all know and love here on B&B than a big company. I know that if I do end up with a problem product, they will do absolutely everything they can to make things better. I don't think I'd get that kind of customer service from "laboratory scientists". Speaking of, napalm was cooked up in a lab, not a home kitchen, but I'd still rather not use it to shave.
(OK, that was just a cheap shot at your theory, but true none the less)

 

[13ALPHA]

Alley cat tallow, it probably is a fat cat.

That's the brand. If I make a soap someday thats it...

Fat Cat's, Alley Cat Tallow. It'd be in a can with a pull off lid! Lather it up!

In all seriousness, I prefer dealing with small vendors, easy to call and talk to the person who actually makes the product.

 

[WhosYerBob]

Is it safe to trust what someone brews in their kitchen over what would be created with the aid of a labratory scientist?

Ummm, do you eat anywhere besides your own kitchen? Friend's house? Restaurant? Fast food joint?

Worry about it much? Same deal.

 

[rickboone1]

Ummm, do you eat anywhere besides your own kitchen? Friend's house? Restaurant? Fast food joint?

Worry about it much? Same deal.

Friends' houses--no. I've gotten sick every time.

Restaurants have strict FDA and DHEC regs and guidelines.

 

[davecmu]

Restaurants have strict FDA and DHEC regs and guidelines.

HAHAHAHAHAAHHAHAHAHAHHAAAAHAHAHAHAA...

Whew, that was - oh, wait - not done

HAHAAAHAHAHAAHAHaahahaHASHAHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAAHAAHAA!!!

AHHAHHHAHHAHAAAHAHAHAHAHAAHHAAH!HAHAAHha@hAHhaHAlaai:LAiaa:LAa;alkjaaALkja:::cough sputtercough:::

Sorry, man, I thought you said there were strict guidelines for restaurants. Whew, that was a needed laugh at this time of year.

Ha. Aha. Ha.

Guidelines are only as stringent as those who enforce them, and when you're talking about inspectors, you're talking about people who passed a civil service exam and that is it. They're no more strict or stringent than your average guy, and they're outnumbered 1,000 to 1.

I've cooked in commercial kitchens, baked in commercial and mom-and-pop bakeries. I've prepared ridiculously large piles of ingredients from scratch, crafted pastries from homemade dough and fillings, and watched as the owners, chefs, inspectors, neighborhood guy, etc. dipped their fingers into the butter, sauce, or onion rings, licked them clean, and went back for second and thirds. I've killed the cockroaches with my shoes and squished them with kitchen towels. I've seen a guy pee into the butter vat at a large commercial bakery (you've eaten their products, I guarantee it) because the bathroom is on the far end of the warehouse and he "ain't walking all the way down there."

You're absolutely entitled your opinion about the soapmakers here or anywhere, but to suggest that restaurants are somehow more clean than your friends' kitchens, or that commercial operations are more stringent in their processes than someone who absolutely relies on the good word of mouth a place like B&B offers, is a bit of a stretch.

What commercial places do is aim for the middle 50% because that's where the money is. Don't upset anyone, don't offend anyone, don't do anything weird. Your skin is obviously on the sensitive side (as might be your stomach, if you get sick at friends' houses), so they're perfect for you. But those places you've mentioned are as well-kept as all but the most conscientious commercial joints, if not better.

 

[Go West Young Man]

Friends' houses--no. I've gotten sick every time.

Restaurants have strict FDA and DHEC regs and guidelines.

Oh dear. I have a lot of stories you probably don't want to hear.

 

[MrGuy]

Restaurants have strict FDA and DHEC regs and guidelines.

And every staff at every restaurant follow those guidelines all the time!

You have some interesting views on "clean" and "safe". I trust our soap makers WAY more than some teenage kid who has access to my food before I get it. But as always, only do what makes you happy. I will say that you're gypping yourself out of some great performing and scented soaps by automatically discounting anything made with love and care in someone's home, or small shop.

 

[Deltaboy]

Go to a good health food store and find a soap that works for you. Good ole Williams has been used by millions of shavers for 70 + years with no issues other than the scent.

 

[rickboone1]

I'm not saying every restaurant follows the guidelines, nor am I in any way implying a soap maker here or anywhere is using a contaminated kitchen. I am saying the food industry is regulated. Mis-followed and fought against and outright abused--obviously. But there are those guidelines in place, which are strict. X has to be stored at such temperature, etc. A soap-maker does not have any agency's rules to follow, or be guided by.

So, thus bringing me back to my own personal observation--might it be better, based on my skin's reaction, to use labratory researched and tested products? Time will tell. And, I wonder whom, if anyone, may be in the same category as I.

 

[WithTheGrain]

I'm not saying every restaurant follows the guidelines, nor am I in any way implying a soap maker here or anywhere is using a contaminated kitchen. I am saying the food industry is regulated. Mis-followed and fought against and outright abused--obviously. But there are those guidelines in place, which are strict. X has to be stored at such temperature, etc. A soap-maker does not have any agency's rules to follow, or be guided by.

So, thus bringing me back to my own personal observation--might it be better, based on my skin's reaction, to use labratory researched and tested products? Time will tell. And, I wonder whom, if anyone, may be in the same category as I.

If you need the stamp of a lab to make you feel better-- so be it. Dumbo needed a feather to think he could fly. That said, I am thinking the issue is an allergy to a common ingredient used in the soaps you have issue with.

That said, given your worry about government observations of restaurants versus your friends homes, commercial soaps versus homegrown etc, to answer your other question-- yes you have become commercialized.

I realize this post may come off as snarky, but I find it hard to believe that you get sick "everytime" you eat at a friends home. Same with the idea that "everytime" you use a home grown soap it burns. If this is indeed the case, allergies or just a mental hangup is involved... All that said, if you find some products that you like (commercial or otherwise), use them and enjoy. I don't use any homegrowns, but only because I have found others that I am happy with. If you like commercial, enjoy them.

 

[rickboone1]

That's true and good information. I'm pretty sure the burning sensation I've felt is due to using too much EO's. As far as lack of latherability (is that a word?), I'm not sure what has caused that.

Have I tried every home soap maker or their products? No.

I do have friends that cook well and I will eat at their homes. There are some I do not wish to eat in their homes, though.

All being said, I do wish I could find a product that worked well and support the small business. I myself have had a small business and understand the importance of this.

I've used Williams and surprisingly got a good lather off it.

The ease of Arko's lathering got me spoiled.

 

[MrGuy]

The ease of Arko's lathering got me spoiled.

Something we agree on Love the Arko

 

[azmark]

Fat Cat Alley Shaving Soap. Made by AZMARK soap makers. I love it! Just finished my first batch, any victims...errr I mean users.

Will compliment my El Octane cologne line.