DIY Goat Milk Soap: Easy Homemade Recipe for Natural Skincare

Dairy goats are a popular choice amongst many homesteaders and hobby farmers. Not only do they provide delicious, nutritious milk, but they also make great pets, providing companionship and hours of entertainment. But did you know that their milk can also be used to make goat milk soap? In this article, I will be discussing the different types of dairy goats, how to care for them, goat's milk soap, and a simple recipe for making your own. Let’s dive in!

Introduction to Goat Milk Soap

Goat milk soap is a luxurious, natural soap made with nutrient-rich goat milk. It has gained popularity because it lathers creamy and leaves skin feeling soft and comfortable rather than tight. Goat milk naturally contains fats, proteins and vitamins, which is part of why soap makers love it. In this article, we will look at what makes goat milk soap special, guide you through the process of making it, and provide a simple recipe for homemade goat milk soap.

Types of Dairy Goats

Dairy goats come in a variety of shapes, sizes, colors, and temperaments. The most popular breeds in the United States include Nubians, Saanens, Alpines, and Toggenburgs. Nubians are known for their long, floppy ears and Roman noses. Saanens are the most common breed and the largest. These animals have white coats and long, straight ears. Alpines have short ears and long coats, and Toggenburgs are medium-sized with white and brown markings.

No matter which breed you choose, all dairy goats need proper nutrition to produce high-quality milk. This means providing them with a balanced diet and ample access to fresh, clean water. They should also be given an adequate supply of hay, straw, and other roughage.

Nigerian Dwarf Goats

Nigerian Dwarf goats are a miniature breed of dairy goat that has become increasingly popular in recent years. These goats are small, with males weighing anywhere from 60 to 100 pounds and females weighing between 40 and 90 pounds. Nigerian Dwarfs are often used as companion animals, and they produce a sweet, rich milk that is high in butterfat.

Nigerian Dwarfs require the same care as any other dairy goat. They should be provided with regular vaccinations, deworming, and hoof trimming. Like other dairy goats, they should also be given a balanced diet and plenty of fresh water.

How to Care for Dairy Goats

Caring for dairy goats is relatively easy, but it does require a certain level of commitment. Goats need to be kept in a clean, dry environment, and their hooves should be trimmed regularly to prevent health problems. They should also be provided with adequate shelter and protection from the elements, such as wind, rain, and extreme temperatures.

Goats should also be given plenty of space to roam and play. A common guideline is at least 15 to 20 square feet of sheltered space per goat plus a secure outdoor area to browse, though needs vary by breed and size. Additionally, goats need to be provided with enrichment activities, such as climbing structures and toys, to keep them from getting bored.

Dairy Goat Breeding

Once you have decided to raise dairy goats, you may want to consider breeding them. Breeding dairy goats requires knowledge of the goats' reproductive cycles, as well as the proper nutrition and care to ensure a successful pregnancy. It is also important to find a good buck, as the quality of the offspring will depend on the genetic material of the parents.

When deciding which goats to breed, it is important to select animals with desirable traits. This includes body conformation, milk production, and health. It is also important to select goats that are free of defects and diseases. Once you have chosen the right goats, you will need to wait until they come into heat to breed them.

Sourcing Goat Milk for Soapmaking

Sourcing high-quality goat milk is crucial for creating exceptional goat milk soap. There are several avenues you can explore to find the best goat milk for your soap-making endeavors:

• Local Dairy Farms: Many local dairy farms offer fresh goat milk, which is ideal for soap making. Supporting local farms not only ensures you get fresh, high-quality milk but also helps sustain local agriculture.

• Health Food Stores: Some health food stores carry goat milk in their dairy section. This can be a convenient option if you don’t have access to a local farm.

• Online Retailers: Numerous online retailers sell goat milk powder or frozen goat milk, which can be used for soap making. This option provides flexibility and convenience, especially if fresh goat milk is not readily available in your area.

• Farmers’ Markets: Farmers’ markets are a great place to find fresh goat milk from local dairy farms. This option allows you to connect with local producers and ensure the quality of the milk you are purchasing.

When sourcing goat milk, it’s essential to choose milk that is rich in nutrients and has a good fat content. Fresh goat milk is ideal, but powdered goat milk can also be a viable option for making high-quality goat milk soap.

What is Goat Milk Soap?

Milk soaps, including goat milk soap, are natural, handmade soaps made with fresh milk. Goat milk soap, in particular, is a popular alternative to commercial bars because the milk brings natural fats, proteins and vitamins into the recipe.

Many people find goat milk soap gentle and less drying than commercial detergent bars, which is why it is a favorite for everyday use. Handmade versions are usually made with simple, recognizable ingredients and no synthetic fragrance.

Essential Ingredients for Homemade Goat Milk Soap

Creating your own homemade goat milk soap requires a few essential ingredients that work together to produce a nourishing and moisturizing soap. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Goat Milk: Fresh or powdered goat milk can be used for soap making. Goat milk is the star ingredient, giving the bar its creamy lather and soft, conditioned feel.

• Lye: Also known as sodium hydroxide, lye is a crucial ingredient in the soap-making process. It reacts with the oils to create soap through a process called saponification.

• Oils: A blend of fats and oils creates a hard bar with a rich, creamy lather. At Ollie we use shea butter, coconut oil, beef tallow, lard, sunflower oil and castor oil, but many home recipes use coconut and olive oil.

• Essential Oils: Essential oils can be added for a natural scent. Follow safe usage rates, since some essential oils can bother sensitive skin.

• Shea Butter: Shea butter is a fantastic addition to goat milk soap, adding to the creamy, conditioning feel of the bar. It helps to create a luxurious, creamy soap that is gentle on the skin.

Benefits of Goat Milk Soap

People love goat milk soap for how it feels. It cleanses with a creamy lather and tends to leave skin feeling soft and moisturized instead of tight. A well-made bar with a little superfat (extra oil left in the soap) is a gentle choice for everyday washing.

If you have a skin condition, talk with a dermatologist about what soap is right for you, and patch-test any new product first.

How to Make Goat Milk Soap

Making goat milk soap is a simple process, but it does require some specialized equipment and ingredients. The most essential supplies include lye, essential oils, and fresh goat milk. Additionally, you will need a digital scale, a soap mold, a thermometer, and protective gear such as goggles and gloves.

Always weigh every ingredient and run your recipe through a soap calculator first. The first step is to make the lye solution: slowly add the lye to frozen or very cold goat milk (never the other way around), stirring until it dissolves. Frozen milk keeps the temperature down so the milk doesn't scorch. Next, melt your fats and oils. When the lye solution and oils are both around 90 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit, slowly pour the lye solution into the oils and stick blend to light trace (the batter thickens like thin pudding). Add essential oils if using, then pour the batter into the soap mold.

Once the soap has been poured into the mold, it should be left to cool and harden for 18 to 24 hours. Once it has hardened, it can be cut into bars and left to cure for 4 to 6 weeks. After the curing process is complete, the soap is ready to be used and enjoyed.

Safety Precautions and Equipment

When making homemade goat milk soap, it’s essential to take safety precautions to protect your skin and eyes from lye, which is caustic. Here are some safety precautions and equipment you will need:

• Safety Gloves: Wear safety gloves to protect your skin from lye and other harsh ingredients.

• Safety Glasses: Wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from splashes and spills.

• Thermometer: A thermometer is necessary for monitoring the temperature of the lye and oil mixture.

• Stick Blender: A stick blender is necessary for mixing and blending the ingredients.

• Soap Mold: A soap mold is necessary for shaping the soap.

Mixing and Blending

Mixing and blending the ingredients is a crucial step in making homemade goat milk soap. Here are some tips for mixing and blending:

• Mix the Lye and Goat Milk Slowly: Add the lye to the frozen goat milk slowly and carefully to avoid splashing and spills. This step requires patience and precision.

• Separate Mixing of Oils: Mix the oils and essential oils separately before adding them to the lye and goat milk mixture. This ensures even distribution of the oils.

• Use a Stick Blender: A stick blender is essential for mixing and blending the ingredients until they reach a consistent texture. This helps to achieve a smooth and uniform soap mixture.

• Avoid Overmixing: Blend just to light trace. Over-blending can thicken the batter so fast it is hard to pour smoothly.

By following these steps and using high-quality ingredients, you can create your own luxurious goat milk soap that is gentle, nourishing, and perfect for your skin.

Recipes for Goat Milk Soap

Making your own goat milk soap is a fun and rewarding project. You can also use powdered goats milk in your soap recipes, which can yield a different consistency compared to fresh goats milk. Here is a list of recipe that you can use to get started:

Goat Milk Soap Recipe from Brambleberry
Goat Milk Soap Recipe from Lovin’ Soap Studio
Goat Milk Oatmeal and Honey Recipe from Lovin’ Soap Studio

We recommend running recipes through a soap calculator. You can use a soap calculator to calculate:

• The quantity of oils and butters in a formula.

• The quantity of lye necessary to saponify.

• How many grams of water you need to use for your formula if you use the standard 38% water of oils. Or you can adjust the water percentage for a water discount (you can use less than 38% but you should not use less than 25% water as of oils);

• How much fragrance or essential oil you need to use for your formula.

• The superfat you want to use. Standard is 5% but you can increase or decrease it. The higher the super fat, the milder the soap will be.

If you’re interested in making soap, you may enjoy reading our blog post on the perfect oils for bar soap.

Where to Buy Goat Milk Soap

If you don't have the time or desire to make your own goat milk soap, you can buy ours. We make every bar in small batches in Wisconsin with goat milk and simple ingredients. Start with our classic Goat Milk Soap or view all our goat milk soap bars.

Goat milk soap is a simple, gentle way to cleanse your skin, and many people love how soft their skin feels after using it. If you are looking for an alternative to regular soap, goat milk soap is worth a try.

Whether you decide to make your own goat milk soap or buy it from us, you can rest assured that you are getting a quality bar made with simple ingredients. So, why not give it a try and see what all the fuss is about?