Nestled along main street in downtown Sulphur Springs is Buff City Soap. A franchise that focuses on handmade, plant based soaps for the whole house. When Buff City Soap first came to town I thought it would be a great touch to add their soaps to our rooms for guest to enjoy. With a local store from at 217 Main Street, guest could easily find their location and select some new favorites to take home. Since our goal is to help promote the local shopping industry in Sulphur Springs, our addition of their products would help drive customers to their downtown location without overwhelming guests and provides them with a local treat to enjoy while staying in Sulphur Springs, at The Oaks.
One day a couple came and stayed with us and had visited Buff City, while at breakfast they told me they made their own custom bar of soap. I think I vaguely remember them asking me if I wanted to make the soap myself when I ordered mine but I said no at the time. Well this time, I needed to refill my bar soap supply so I figured why not give it a go and make the soap that the guests will be enjoying in the rooms.
I set up a time to come in and make my product, and the day had finally arrived. I only added color to my soaps this time, to add some interest to our bars, but it would hopefully keep with the décor of the rooms.
Before you can get started you need to get "dressed." Safety first on this adventure. Make sure you wear closed toed shoes and long pants for your class. Otherwise, they will have everything you need to stay safe. Googles, face shield, apron, gloves and shoe booties are all on and now we were ready to make soap.
Since we decided to add color, we chose two different colors to mix together this time around, an orangish gold and a turquoise with our honey oatmeal scent. The process is fairly simple and you even use a standard kitchen tool, an immersion blender, to mix everything together. First you mix the water and scent together and then add in the color to blend it all together.
Your soap is not ready for the molds. We added our gold color first then poured the turquoise over the top. But your artistic skills do not stop there, by dragging a tooth pick through the liquid you are able to create a "design" in your soap to fit your stylistic needs.
Once you are satisfied with your pattern, your soap needs to cure and harden before being cut. Buff City will cut it for you into the desired size you want for your soap to be used and displayed. This a great and creative way to make gifts or have a unique bar at home for when guests come to stay. We hope that you will take advantage of making your own bar of soap when you visit, or by making your own bath bombs.
Be sure to stop by Buff City during your visit to Sulphur Springs, they are open seven days a week and are happy to help you find the perfect scent to please your senses.