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HOW TO MAKE PURE TALLOW SOAP FROM SCRATCH: A SIMPLE RECIPE

Pure tallow soap recipe

If you’re a fan of grass-fed tallow, you’ll love this simple and pure tallow soap recipe. It’s perfect for beginners looking to make soap from scratch.

As the owner of a skincare shop (which you can explore here), I’ve been crafting soaps with a blend of tallow, coconut oil, and olive oil for a while, and the results are amazing! The combination of oils works wonderfully together, enhancing each other’s benefits. However, after receiving numerous requests from my customers for a pure tallow soap, I decided to create this recipe to meet their needs.

Why use tallow for soap making?

If you’ve been following me for a while, you know how much I adore grass-fed beef tallow. It’s truly amazing, packed with nutrients that are fantastic for the skin.

I’ve previously discussed what tallow is and why skin loves grass-fed tallow. You can dive deeper into its benefits here.

Tallow is the perfect fat for soap making. It’s easily accessible, adds both hardness and creaminess to soap bars, and is incredibly nourishing for the skin. I love using it on its own in this pure tallow soap recipe or mixing it with other oils for added benefits.

For more reasons why I include tallow in my soap recipes, check out the full details here.

A true homesteader’s soap

I also love the fact that our homesteading ancestors made tallow soap like this for their own use. Making it ourselves today feels like taking a step back in time, reconnecting with a simpler, more sustainable way of living. It’s a wonderful tradition to continue, and it’s amazing to see how these old methods still benefit us today.

Things to know about soap making

If you’re new to making soap from scratch, there are a few safety precautions you should keep in mind. Soap making requires lye, which turns the oils into soap. Don’t worry—there’s no lye left in the finished soap after the curing process, but we do need to handle it with care during the process.

Lye is highly alkaline, and the lye water or soap mixture can burn your skin if it splashes on you. I recommend wearing gloves, long sleeves, and eye protection when working with lye. Additionally, when mixing the lye into the water, some fumes are released, so it’s best to do this outdoors.

That’s all! While these precautions might seem a bit intimidating at first, don’t let them discourage you from learning how to make soap from scratch. Once you get the hang of it, it’s such a fun and rewarding activity. If you follow the safety guidelines, you’ll be just fine.

I also have a post where I go over the soap-making process and share the essential equipment you’ll need. I recommend checking it out before you start!

Customize it

Like many other DIY skincare items, this pure tallow soap recipe can be easily personalized with your favorite essential oils. Whether you choose a single scent or get creative with a blend, the possibilities are endless!

Keep in mind that some essential oils are more potent as soap scents than others. For example, citrus oils tend to be too mild to provide a strong fragrance. Some of my personal favorites for soap are peppermint, lavender, and lemongrass.

If you prefer a more traditional approach, you can also skip the essential oils altogether, creating an unscented version just like the homesteaders used to make. This unscented option is especially good for those with very sensitive skin, who may find it more soothing.

Pure tallow soap recipe directions

INGREDIENTS:

  • 32 oz. tallow
  • 4.2 oz. lye
  • 12.16 oz. water
  • 1.5 fl. oz. essential oils (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS:

  • Weigh the tallow and place it into a crockpot. It’s easiest to melt the tallow before weighing it. If the tallow is below 100°F, turn the crockpot on low to gently heat it.
  • Weigh the water in a heat-safe container or sturdy plastic bucket, and weigh the lye separately.
  • Check the temperature of the tallow. You want it to be around 100°F. Let it cool if necessary.
  • Once the tallow has reached 100°F, take the lye and water outdoors. Wear gloves and safety goggles, then carefully and slowly pour the lye into the water. Stir gently.
  • Once the lye water turns from cloudy to clear, leave it to cool for about 10 minutes.
  • Carefully pour the cooled lye water into the tallow.
  • Use an immersion blender to mix the soap. After a few minutes, it will become creamy and start to thicken. Continue blending until it reaches “trace,” a light pudding consistency.
  • Add the essential oils (if using) and blend again to incorporate them into the soap.
  • Pour the soap mixture into molds. Cover the top with wax paper and wrap the molds in towels to insulate.
  • After 24 hours, remove the soap from the mold and slice it into bars.
  • Let the soap cure in a well-ventilated area for about 4 weeks before using.

    Pure tallow soap recipe video

    CONCLUSION

    In conclusion, making pure tallow soap from scratch is a simple and rewarding process that allows you to create a natural, nourishing product for your skin. By following the steps carefully and taking the necessary safety precautions, you’ll be able to craft your own homemade soap using high-quality ingredients like grass-fed tallow. Whether you choose to add essential oils for fragrance or leave it unscented, this soap provides all the benefits of tallow, offering a creamy, skin-loving bar that’s perfect for everyday use. Enjoy the satisfaction of making your own soap while embracing a traditional, time-tested method!

    DIY GALLERY WALL IDEAS ACCENT WALL DECORATING IDEAS

    When it comes to accent walls for your home, nothing adds more warmth and personality than a family photo wall or a “gallery wall.”

    If you’re thinking about creating one, you’ll love these aesthetic gallery wall ideas, layout design tips, and photo wall arrangement suggestions to help you craft the perfect family picture wall in your home.

    Pictures

    Below are plenty of photo wall ideas, pictures, and inspiration to suit all home decor styles, helping you find the perfect layout for your accent wall.

    Whether you prefer framed or unframed photo arrangements, these ideas can transform any wall in your living room, bedroom, dining room, foyer, hallway, or any other space into a beautiful and aesthetic photo display.

    Gallery Wall Ideas

    Let’s explore some gallery wall layout ideas. From simple designs for your living room, bedroom, stairway, or foyer, to more modern gallery wall concepts, there’s an arrangement for every style.

    A gallery wall can effortlessly enhance the vibe of any room in your home. The possibilities are endless, from covering an entire wall to framing the space above a couch or piece of furniture, stretching up a staircase, or adorning any other wall.

    You can even get creative by arranging photos on one or two shelves. Below are some fantastic arrangements to inspire your next gallery wall.

    That’s what makes these wall decorating ideas so great—gallery walls are incredibly versatile. Whether you’re decorating your living room, bedroom, or even adding a personal touch around your desk or TV, the choice is yours!

    Here’s a simple yet stunning family photo gallery wall above the couch in the living room. The layout is clean and aesthetic, creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere while showcasing cherished memories.

    I’m a huge fan of farmhouse decor myself (there’s something about the rustic charm that just feels so inviting!), but when it comes to gallery walls, they bring an eclectic, almost “random” vibe to a space. However, it’s important to remember that a well-curated gallery wall requires careful planning before you hang anything up.

    A gallery wall is a perfect way to showcase your personality and interests. It lets you tell the story of your travels, celebrate family memories, display artwork you’ve collected, frame hand-drawn illustrations, and even incorporate unique metal or wooden objects that you’ve gathered along the way. It’s a chance to create a meaningful, personalized space that reflects who you are.

    Farmhouse Wall Decor Ideas

    I totally get that! If farmhouse style is your thing, it’s natural to gravitate toward farmhouse wall decor ideas when designing your own gallery accent wall. The charm of rustic elements, vintage frames, distressed wood, and cozy touches can transform a simple photo display into something truly special and personal. Whether you’re adding family photos, farmhouse-inspired art, or handmade pieces, a gallery wall in this style effortlessly brings warmth and character to your space.

    When designing your gallery or photo wall, start by selecting the photos and artwork you want to feature, then think about the layout that will best showcase them.

    A great tip is to lay everything out on the floor first. Rearranging the pieces in different configurations will help you visualize how they’ll look on the wall. Don’t hesitate to experiment with a variety of frames and wall hangings—the different textures, colors, and sizes will add depth and an aesthetic, curated feel to your gallery wall.

    The best aesthetic photo wall arrangements strike a perfect balance, like the ones shown here. Don’t hesitate to mix and match your favorite photos, artwork, and personal items to make it uniquely yours.

    Get creative by incorporating different elements into your photo wall—consider mixing high and low pieces, and feel free to blend black-and-white photos with colorful ones for contrast. Check out our cheat sheet for helpful do’s and don’ts to guide you.

    A gallery wall can include a variety of things like artwork, paintings, family photos, souvenirs from your travels, and even metal or wooden objects. If you’re on the hunt for the perfect pieces, flea markets, garage sales, thrift stores, Etsy, consignment shops, your grandmother’s house, and antique stores are all great places to discover unique finds. Enjoy the treasure hunt—it’s part of the fun!

    In addition to choosing the art itself, pay attention to the frames that will highlight and complement your pieces. For a clean, formal, and minimalist look, opt for frames in the same size and color to create a cohesive feel.

    Here’s a perfect example of a gallery wall that uses identical frames to achieve a neat, organized, and visually harmonious arrangement. This approach keeps the focus on the artwork while still providing structure and consistency to the overall design.

    For a more eclectic vibe, mix and match picture frames to give the impression that you’ve curated the art over time. This approach adds character and personality to your gallery wall. If you’re looking for budget-friendly framing options, consider browsing online for affordable frames, or explore flea markets, antique stores, and yard sales for unique vintage frames that can add extra charm to your wall.

    Tip: If there’s an unsightly object on your wall—like a door chime box—get creative and frame it. By incorporating it into your gallery, you can make it feel intentional and part of the overall design.

    Family Photo Wall Layouts

    Once you’ve selected the perfect pictures for your family photo wall, it’s time to focus on the layout.

    Placement is key, so don’t just start hanging things randomly—plan out the look you want first.

    Here are a few tips for creating a stunning family photo wall:

    • Measure the space you want to fill on your wall, then tape off that area on the floor to visualize the size.
    • Arrange and rearrange your photos and frames until you find a layout you love. Take your time experimenting with different arrangements.
    • Once you’re happy with the setup, take a few photos of the arrangement for reference, or cut out paper in the same sizes as your frames and tape them to the wall to get a better sense of the spacing.
    • Finally, hang your art one piece at a time, making adjustments as needed until everything looks perfect.

    The most important thing to remember is that there’s no magic formula for creating an interesting gallery wall. Don’t let the process overwhelm you—just dive in and enjoy the creative journey!

    However, if you’re feeling a bit intimidated, I’ve found some helpful gallery wall layout charts on my Pinterest account that might give you some guidance.

    As you’ll see, there are countless ways to arrange your family photos or gallery wall, whether it’s on your main wall or along a staircase.

    Ultimately, there’s no “right way” or “wrong way” to design your family photo gallery wall—just make it personal, and let it reflect your unique style and memories!

    There are countless ways to frame your gallery wall, whether you opt for frames of the same shape and size for a uniform look or mix in objects, mirrors, and lights for added texture. You can blend paintings with photography, combine black-and-white with color images, or embrace an eclectic mix of frame sizes and shapes, incorporating both high and low pieces. The possibilities are endless—use whatever combination sparks your creativity.

    Here’s a simple method to help you create a beautiful and cohesive gallery wall:

    The most important thing to remember when creating your gallery wall is that there’s no one-size-fits-all method for displaying frames. The key is to enjoy the creative process and let your unique style guide you. With that mindset, your gallery wall will naturally come together beautifully!

    Picture Wall Layout Tips

    • To create an aesthetic gallery wall, choose picture frames that complement and enhance your photos—check out the ideas above for inspiration.
    • Use the design charts provided to experiment with different layouts and find what feels right for your space.
    • Start by hanging the largest pieces first to establish a focal point, then gradually add in the smaller items around them to fill in the gaps.
    • For the best visual impact, aim to hang your photo wall frames at eye level, which is typically around 5 feet from the ground.

    We accumulate so many photos over time, but how often do we take the opportunity to get them off our computers and onto our walls? If your walls are looking bare, these accent gallery wall ideas are here to inspire you to create unique photo displays.

    One popular method is filling a large wall with a collection of photos or artwork framed in identical frames, or using the same size frames for similar photos. But why not get a little creative? For example, you could make your own frames from cardboard tubes—how clever is that? Or if you have an empty corner, corner picture frames can be a great way to utilize that space.

    Do you have photos of different family members? Consider creating a beautiful family tree wall to showcase them. Or if you’ve inherited your grandma’s old handbags, don’t let them gather dust. Instead, repurpose them into special, unique frames for your wall—turning cherished items into meaningful art displays.

    Ledges mounted to the wall are a fantastic way to display framed or mounted photos, artwork, prints, canvases, and more. For a creative twist, consider cutting old suitcases in half and using them as wall-mounted shelves—what a unique and stylish storage solution!

    Another fun idea is using a metal wall frame with clips. This allows you to easily arrange your photos or artwork in any design you like. It’s modern, high-quality, and adds a fresh touch to any room. Plus, it’s an affordable way to decorate your walls. Remember, pictures don’t always have to be framed! For an unconventional display, try hanging unframed prints or photos from a length of wire with clips for a playful and dynamic arrangement.

    CONCLUSION

    In conclusion, creating a gallery wall is a personal and creative way to showcase your favorite photos, artwork, and memories. Whether you opt for a traditional, cohesive layout with matching frames or embrace an eclectic, unique approach, the possibilities are endless. From using ledges and shelves to repurposing old items as frames, there are countless ways to display your art and photos. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different materials, layouts, and framing styles to make the space truly your own. Ultimately, the process of arranging your gallery wall should be enjoyable, allowing you to create a stunning and meaningful focal point in any room.