Does Lard Smell Bad?

by Hayley
(UK)

I have only made one batch of soap so far and can't wait to have another go! But this time I wondered about making it with Lard because its so inexpensive like you said. I've read what you've written about lard in your Fats & Oils section, but was wondering does it make your soap smell bad? Because that would be so gross!!

I have bought some Lard from the supermarket, so I assume its food quality stuff, but when I smelled it it does smell piggy. Eeeew. Does this smell go after you have cured the soap perhaps or is it there for good once its in your soap? I will add an EO but dont want a special pig & lemongrass fragrance!! Hehe

Thankyou so much for your time, I can't wait to have another go!!!

Answer:

Hi Hayley,

Hmmmm.....lemon piggy soap....it kind of has a nice ring to it!!! Too funny!!

No, you don't want your soaps smelling of piglet. Unfortunately, what you put in the soap is what you will get out.

When I want to have a light chocolately scent in a soap, I use cocoa butter that hasn't been deodorized and the scent definately comes through.

Not all lards smell strongly so I would try another brand...see if you can find a store that refridgerates theirs...this can be a challenge, unfortunately.

Good luck and happy soaping,

Cathy

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Does Lard Smell Bad?

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starstarstarstarstar 		Lard smelling bad?
by: Barbara

I've been soaping with Vegetable Lard for about 2 years with much success. I think Cathy is right, if you're going to use an animal fat, perhaps the refrigerated type would be best. However, if you can find vegetable, you'd see there is little to no smell right out of the can. Vegetable lard holds fragrance too! I would suggest a little Orris root powder or Oakmoss absolute to help carry the fragrance a little longer, but you should have no problem with vegetable. Here in the US, we have a product called "Crisco". Crisco is a brand of shortening (lard) that is popular in the United States. It was first produced in 1911 by Procter & Gamble and was the first shortening to be made entirely of vegetable oil. As such, Crisco may be considered appropriate for vegan diets as it contains no animal products.No animal, no smell! :) Hope this has been insightful! Best Wishes in your crafting!
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starstarstarstarstar 		Camellia Oil (Difference)
by: Barbara

Cathy,
Is the Camellia oil you are using in your soaps Camellia Oleifera or Camellia Sinesis? Could you give a look and email me? I might have a resource in the US for your readers. No disrespect to your preferred link..just more the merrier! Thank you!
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starstarstarstarstar 		Lard versus shortening
by: Cathy

Hi Barbara,

Crisco is actually never referred to as lard even though it looks and feels very similar.

Lard is the name used for the animal fat found in pigs and crisco is a vegetable shortening made up of soybean and palm oils.

Crisco can be substituted for some of the lard in recipes but for a hard bar of soap it should be used in conjunction with other hard oils...say cocoa butter, shea butter, palm oil, etc. Crisco will make a much softer bar than lard because it doesn't contain nearly the same amount of Palmitic acid.

As to the Camellia Seed oil I use...Camellia Sinensis is the one I have but, as far as I know, either would be fine.

If you have a link to add for a supplier of Camellia oil, feel free to do so....could you put it with one of the questions about Camellia oil though?

Thanks,
Cathy

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