Why is this so Taboo or My Soapbox.....

Okay, you soapers out there, we need to talk.
    From 2004-2007 I made cold-process soap.  That means lye, saponification, etc.  I loved it and was successful at it.  I was NOT successful as a self-promoter.....I stopped making it when finances became tight because I insist on good quality ingredients.
    I do, however, miss soaping.  And, I am becoming a bit of a GreenWannaBe.  I wonder if that is politically incorrect?   (Pooh on that.)  Let me explain...
    If I can make something that is recycled, inexpensive, but most importantly, as healthy as or BETTER than what I can buy, then I want to do so.  I believe the earth is God's and "saving the planet" is a bunch of hooey.....meaning, He knows what He's about.  That does not mean I can be unwise and foolish with the resources we have.  Americans are obscenely wasteful as a whole.  Poverty, in the minimal way I know it, has it's upside---you learn to not take things for granted nor throw things out foolishly.
    BUT:
I am a child of the 60s.  I remember being taught that standing water breeds bacteria.  It doesn't matter if the water was distilled or boiled....if left too long, it will grow what you don't want to touch nor want touching you.
WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE YOU-TUBERS AND BLOG AUTHORS WHO POST ALL THESE LIQUID SOAP RECIPES BUT NEVER MENTION PRESERVATIVES?  (Yes, I AM yelling.  Just ask my daughter who is shaking her head.)  Few people comment on this----and those who do post on these sites rarely have their questions addressed.  (At least that seems the case from my limited investigation.)

I am grateful for the few who, like me, are freaked out by the health knowledge that seems to be missing from these other-wise conscientious bloggers. These bloggers/YouTubers mean well and want to share what they think is a good, cost-effective method of making soap.   I have to ask why were they not taught about standing water and bacteria??

  When I started making soap bars, I found that they are the ONLY cosemetic product one can make at home (and sell) without needed to have the product lab tested.  Why the testing, you might ask?  All I can think is that during the saponification process (which is magic to watch, if you sneak a peek now and then) the water becomes a part of the soap....this is synergy.  Preservatives are not needed in Cold Process soap bars...but other H2O products have unsaponified water in them which now creates a standing water problem.
    So now what, since I want to make liquid foaming soap? I have known for years that if you want to make lotions or liquid soap and sell it,  you MUST have it lab tested for bacteria (it is the law).  If you want to make it for yourself and refrigerate it for a few days and use it up, you can.  Otherwise, it needs a preservative.  Essential oils are NOT preservatives, at least not in the dosage that the skin can handle.  Also, Grapeseed Extract is not a preservative.  The preservatives liquid soap needs are chemicals.  So the liquid soap maker is now faced with the decision to 1) buy commercially-made liquid soap, 2) make soap with a preservative (which is still healthier than option 1, in my opinion), or 3) make it without preservatives and play roulette with the unknowns------bacteria, fungus, and yeast to name a few.

As one blogger thoughtfuly wrote, "we are all chemically made."   Food for thought.

 I do want to make liquid soap for three reasons:
1) I am allergic to antibacterial soap...after three uses in a day, by hands will bleed.  Honest.
2) I have friends with large families who would benefit from a more economical soap.
3) I love the process and satisfaction I get from making soap!

I do want to promote two websites here.  I am not connected to them in any way, except I do buy their products and do respect their knowledge.

Magestic Mountain Sage (in Nibley, Utah)
www.thesage.com
They have fantastic products as well as good prices.  They also have a lye calculator that allowed me to have only one failure in over 50 batches of soap!  (They make no such claim, it is just how it worked for me.)  Their research team is readily available and very helpful.  There is a link to the left of my posts.

www.bottlesandfoamers.com
Kevin is the owner and is so helpful.  You can get deals on "value packs" and I found the 18.5 oz. foamer is a great foamer.  There is a link to the left of my posts.

I am currently using Optiphen as the preservative in my foaming soap (1.5% of total weight), glycerin at 1% of total weight, 1 part store-bought liquid soap to 8 parts distilled water.  I am making those calculations with a gallon of water in mind.  I have been advised that the Optiphen will give the gallon a shelf life of about a year.  I tried using Bronner's castile soap, but forgot that I am allergic to hemp.  My skin itches terribly from hemp fabric or oil.  I also have to be careful with fragrances, as they sort of freak me out if too strong on the hands.  I am considering using a mild kitchen liquid soap as my soap base.  As much as I'd like to use bar soap and do the grating thing, I don't relish the thought of the viscosity of the finished product.  Too mucus-y.  :(
(Update 5/31/14:  I have used Ivory Hand Soap  in my foaming formula and it fits my needs perfectly!)

I do not profess to know much about soapmaking, bar or liquid.  Please, dear soapers, don't get caught up in the "natural" craze and think "no preservatives" is the best way to go.   Natural is good, but butulism is natural and so are a lot of other bacteria that cannot be seen nor smelled.  Don't let your nose be your guide...no one's health and life are worth it.  What is most frustrating is even the science world cannot seem to land on what kind/amounts of preservatives are best....and what the health trade offs are.  Hmmmmm.....financial politics again, no?
Okay, no more yelling.  Back to the fun---the kitchen and soapmaking!