Customer Reviews

Making Soap for Fun and Profit

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(10)

 

 

I have ordered several books on soap making to read, and after looking at the books offered on this website, I narrowed it down to three. This was the first book to arrive, and as a beginner, I was disappointed in the very little content the book offered considering the price. The book actually only has about 55 pages of content, and many of those are half-pages. The recipes make up a lot of the book's content, with only one recipe per page. There were no milk-based recipes. The book's title gives the impression that the book contains information re: making soap for profit, but actually only contains 6 pages (with lots of spacing) on the subject, giving really very little specific information, and primarily telling the reader her story of starting her own business. The book has so little content that I was actually able to read the whole book in less than 30 minutes. The book does make the process sound less intimidating, and does make soap making seem much more simple that other writers do. If you want a collection of recipes then this is a good book for your soap making library. But if you want more information on the process itself, including troubleshooting, and on soap making for profit, then look to other authors. If you are on a budget, and can only buy 1 or 2 books, then look elsewhere to get more content for your dollars.

I'd really like to give this book NO starts, but I guess that's not an option. I am returning my copy. I can't believe the safety hazards this woman takes with LYE. It is a HIGHLY caustic material. (which Ms. Inlow does state) However, In her instructions she syas to pour your liquids into your lye... DO NOT DO THIS! Other than creating a volcano effect which could boil over and out of the container in which the mixing is taking place, due to Lye being considered a HAZMAT(Hazardous Material) it is actually illegal to do your mixing this way in some states.. PLEASE check with your local HAZMAT safety regulations before following her instructions.

Misinformation: After studying soapmaking for over two years, I have learned that CASTILLE soap must have at least 50% olive oil in it, or the name must be changed. Ms. Inlow lists a Castille soap that is barely 1/3 olive oil.

I admit I was disappointed when Linda Inlow's book first arrived. During the last 3 months I have read 4 information packed soap books that have got me reading avidly about soap making, but didn't seem to give me the confidence to start making it myself. So how would Linda's slim, notebook type book (with no pictures!) do it? 24hours later, I'd made my first batch of soap. Each soap writer has their own style of making and writing about soap. You almost get too much information as a beginner and its becomes confusing. Linda is different in that she really is writing for the novice. She also knows how to teach soap making. Being able to teach a craft is a very different skill from just being able to write about it. This book is a user-friendly, and interesting tutorial. Each chapter gave me just the right amount of information and in the right order. Unlike other books, it didn't side-track me into other topics which left me confused. Why didn't anyone think of spiral bound, laminated covers before? Great. I love her sections on natural coloring and special scent blends. Her information for starting a business is just enough to send you in the right direction. The blank note pages at the back are useful too. I'm already hoping she'll write "Soap Making for Fun and Profit II." I'll be the first to buy it.

I am completely outraged that a book like this can enter the marketplace. SEVERAL of her recipes are lye heavy and the soap made WILL burn the skin. She instructs the reader to use massive quantities of certain essential oils, such a cassia that are known to be caustic on the skin. The author obviously has not ever used the soap she's instructing to make. If she had, she would be red, raw and probably blistered. What a shame, so many will be injured by using a soap book.

This book was short on safety facts for new soapmakers and short on content for experienced soapers. Please get a different book - this one isn't worth your money.

I wish I would have read the reviews on this book before I bought it. As a novice soaper, I found this book short on technique. I tried one recipe and threw it out. The texture was good but it didn't smell like 'oatmeal cookies' and looked like dog food. I did like the spiral bound design.

I bought this book to learn. Well, what I learned was this book stinks. There are many empty pages, it seems like most of her soaps are the same base soap and just switch the additives (fragances, etc) and the section about how to turn soapmaking into a busness was a farce. I didn't want to hear about what she went through, I was hoping for information on who to talk to, where to go for licensing, or anything remotely related. None of that was here. A list of suppliers or something would have helped also.

I Bought this book hoping to learn some new recipes. Most of the recipes in this book are based on two main recipes. The only difference is the fragrances used. I was hoping to get alot more different base recipes. It's a small book for as much as it costs. I do like the fact that it is spiral bound, but I don't think it is worth the money I paid for it.

This is a great little book just for people like me - beginners! The recipes are simple and allow you to use measurements that will not intimidate you. (i.e. some recipes use measuring cups and teaspoons instead of relying on weight measures in ounces/grams) Her basic recipes have got me excited about all of the different soaps that I can make!

UGH!! Can't believe I spent my $$ on this book! Cheesy, single side pages, one basic recipe for soap, no help on selling my stuff, WASTE OF $$ AND TIME!!!!