Soapmaking

[JONNYROTTEN]

The "loaf" smells overly scented.I'm hoping that settles down after 3 weeks curing.I went by the calculator.
I'm making my wifes tomorrow and were both hoping for some color additives.Anything I can buy at the grocery store to make it look a little nicer? Either full color or playing around with a wooden skewer making lines

 

[Yooper]

The "loaf" smells overly scented.I'm hoping that settles down after 3 weeks curing.I went by the calculator.
I'm making my wifes tomorrow and were both hoping for some color additives.Anything I can buy at the grocery store to make it look a little nicer? Either full color or playing around with a wooden skewer making lines

One thing I like is cocoa powder- just the plain stuff, mixed in a little of the oil from the recipe. Then I pour it at thin trace, and pour the chocolate colored stuff from a little pyrex pitcher lifting it quite high (so it goes deeper in the soap) and lower. Then use a skewer and go sideways across to swirl it across.

Or you could use melted baking chocolate (ONLY! no milk chocolate) if you have that in the cupboard.

 

[JONNYROTTEN]

One thing I like is cocoa powder- just the plain stuff, mixed in a little of the oil from the recipe. Then I pour it at thin trace, and pour the chocolate colored stuff from a little pyrex pitcher lifting it quite high (so it goes deeper in the soap) and lower. Then use a skewer and go sideways across to swirl it across.

Or you could use melted baking chocolate (ONLY! no milk chocolate) if you have that in the cupboard.

Awesome thanks!!! We'll give it a shot! (Cocoa powder)

 

[Melana]

The "loaf" smells overly scented.I'm hoping that settles down after 3 weeks curing.I went by the calculator.
I'm making my wifes tomorrow and were both hoping for some color additives.Anything I can buy at the grocery store to make it look a little nicer? Either full color or playing around with a wooden skewer making lines

It will calm down, trust me.
In addition to cocoa powder you can use paprika or turmeric to color the soap yellow/orange.

 

[rhoadsrage]

I wound up clicking on this thread about a month ago and became fascinated by the concept of soap making. Fast forward to last week, the kids and I made our first batch of soap. I am trying to figure out the next batch for this weekend.

I was going to use this recipe for a black and white soap with salt and activated charcoal. That recipe says to use 10.6 oz of H2O and 5.2 oz NaOH but when I put it into the soapcalc it computes 13.6 oz H2O and 5.73 oz NaOH, which seems like a big difference. Also the soap bar quality numbers seem to be out of range.
Hardness 61
Cleansing 47
Conditioning 31
Bubbly 54
Creamy 22
Iodine 31
INS 211

Any advice would be appreciated. TIA.

 

[Melana]

They may be using a different super fat percentage and a water discount.

 

[rhoadsrage]

They may be using a different super fat percentage and a water discount.

So playing around with the soapcalc if I change the lye conc. to 35% then I get the same numbers as she does. And the reviews of this batch seem to be pretty positive so I will test it out.

Thanks.

 

[JONNYROTTEN]

Loading up on essential oils.How is Amazon for oil?They have alot of Sun Essential brand oils with lots of reviews.Im looking at 2 oz and 4 oz bottles that will add up in cost.Where would be the best CHEAPEST place to buy oil...Thanks

 

[Melana]

Amazon is very expensive for essential oils. Essential Depot is good depending on what you want.

 

[LBussy]

Loading up on essential oils.How is Amazon for oil?They have alot of Sun Essential brand oils with lots of reviews.Im looking at 2 oz and 4 oz bottles that will add up in cost.Where would be the best CHEAPEST place to buy oil...Thanks

Unless you are dead set on the use of essential oils, I would look to fragrance oils as a less expensive and more effective method of adding fragrance. It's not very often that I want a single aroma in my soaps. I do however have a variety of fragrance oils I turn to quite often.

My wife's favorite is "Mineral Salt Spa" from Soapalooza; my personal favorite for shaving soap is "Almond Silk" from the same place.

Soapalooza has 1oz "Cheap Thrill Vials" of nearly all their scents for a very fair price. As low as $1.00 in some cases. You could send $20 + shipping and get a whole bunch of scents to try in small batches.

 

[Melana]

Unless you are dead set on the use of essential oils, I would look to fragrance oils as a less expensive and more effective method of adding fragrance. It's not very often that I want a single aroma in my soaps. I do however have a variety of fragrance oils I turn to quite often.



My wife's favorite is "Mineral Salt Spa" from Soapalooza; my personal favorite for shaving soap is "Almond Silk" from the same place.



Soapalooza has 1oz "Cheap Thrill Vials" of nearly all their scents for a very fair price. As low as $1.00 in some cases. You could send $20 + shipping and get a whole bunch of scents to try in small batches.

How do they stick?

 

[LBussy]

I can vouch for the both of those. The Almond I use in a tub of shaving soap so it's closed but the aroma lasts for a few months while I use it. The Mineral Salt Spa sticks for a year plus on the shelf.

 

[JONNYROTTEN]

How soon can I use my soap.I know your supposed to wait 6 weeks but can I try out a bar after just a few days? Don't really care if it turns to mush just don't want to burn my skin...Kid in a candy store

 

[Melana]

Do a zip test. Put your tongue on it and if it's not 'zappy' you're good.

 

[JONNYROTTEN]

Do a zip test. Put your tongue on it and if it's not 'zappy' you're good.

I read this and thought your messing with me like testing a socket by sticking your finger it.But after looking it up I actually licked the soap
It didn't feel like anything and oddly enough it actually tastes good.Im think I'm good to go

 

[LBussy]

You're good to go safety-wise, but it still may be be drying and harsh. Don't judge it too much based on what results you get right away. It's really worth the wait.

 

[JONNYROTTEN]

You're good to go safety-wise, but it still may be be drying and harsh. Don;t judge it too much based on what results you get right away. It's really worth the wait.

I hear ya..just want to try it.I ordered endless stuff that will be here tomorrow and will have more soap than I know what to do with.

 

[Yooper]

I hear ya..just want to try it.I ordered endless stuff that will be here tomorrow and will have more soap than I know what to do with.

Welcome to the club....................

Soaping becomes an obsession. We have a lifetime supply of soap here, but I must make MORE.

 

[Yooper]

I read this and thought your messing with me like testing a socket by sticking your finger it.But after looking it up I actually licked the soap
It didn't feel like anything and oddly enough it actually tastes good.Im think I'm good to go

Think of it as drinking a beer out of the primary. It may be "good" but it'll be much better in a couple of weeks once it's conditioned a bit!

 

[Temptd2]

There is a guy in Poland who sells these on Etsy (along with other cool molds!) - I WANT THIS ONE! (And I don't even make soap....)

His business is called Sweetmoulds in case any of you soapmakers want to see what else he has.

 

[JONNYROTTEN]

I ordered this for the coloring.Should I just mix it with some olive oil or the batter with the milk frother I ordered and pour it in??
I also have this oil.It has almost no scent and says its used for the skin.Its says 85% essential oil including 33% omega 3.
Is it the wrong stuff for soap making??

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B019LW990Y/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20


https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NTBBU8I/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

 

[LBussy]

I would not use that oil for soap making, it would be a waste. @ $14 for 2 oz it would make one of the most expensive soaps ever.

For the colorant, most people mix with a small amount of oil and then into the soap batter till they get the color they want. Have a look here for the directions on pigments for CP soap:

https://www.brambleberry.com/using-colorants.aspx

 

[thunderwagn]

Agree with Lbussy. Get your fragrances from elsewhere like Brambleberry or Natures Garden (just to name a couple). I've found a decent mold or two on Amazon, but do yourself a favor and shop someplace that specializes in soap and (usually) candle making. You're not saving yourself any money on Amazon. Peak to Peak, Wholesale Supplies, Brambleberry, Natures Garden just to name a few. All reputable with good product. You'll be disappointed soaping if you cut corners.

Spearmint Eucalyptus FO. is the schnizzle! Lovin that stuff for months now.

 

[Melana]

Agree with Lbussy. Get your fragrances from elsewhere like Brambleberry or Natures Garden (just to name a couple). I've found a decent mold or two on Amazon, but do yourself a favor and shop someplace that specializes in soap and (usually) candle making. You're not saving yourself any money on Amazon. Peak to Peak, Wholesale Supplies, Brambleberry, Natures Garden just to name a few. All reputable with good product. You'll be disappointed soaping if you cut corners.

Spearmint Eucalyptus FO. is the schnizzle! Lovin that stuff for months now.

What's your ratio spearmint to Eucalyptus?

 

[JONNYROTTEN]

Agree with Lbussy. Get your fragrances from elsewhere like Brambleberry or Natures Garden (just to name a couple). I've found a decent mold or two on Amazon, but do yourself a favor and shop someplace that specializes in soap and (usually) candle making. You're not saving yourself any money on Amazon. Peak to Peak, Wholesale Supplies, Brambleberry, Natures Garden just to name a few. All reputable with good product. You'll be disappointed soaping if you cut corners.

Spearmint Eucalyptus FO. is the schnizzle! Lovin that stuff for months now.

Interesting.I priced out grapefruit and anise essential oil at Brambleberry and Essential depot and with free Amazon shipping and paying for shipping at the other sires Amazon was cheaper.Next time I buy Ill do another comparison with the others listed. Also why is Vanilla essential oil hard to find or way expensive?

 

[Melana]

Vanilla doesn't behave well in soap. It discolors and can be a PITA. I will check my grapefruit EO tomorrow to let you know where I buy from.

 

[JONNYROTTEN]

Vanilla doesn't behave well in soap. It discolors and can be a PITA. I will check my grapefruit EO tomorrow to let you know where I buy from.

Thank you.I bought 2 oz vanilla I was going to use next batch.Should I not use it or is there another way to use it besides adding at trace? Heres the grapefruit I bought
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00R8GX5TM/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

 

[LBussy]

Agree with Lbussy. Get your fragrances from elsewhere like Brambleberry or Natures Garden (just to name a couple). I've found a decent mold or two on Amazon, but do yourself a favor and shop someplace that specializes in soap and (usually) candle making. You're not saving yourself any money on Amazon. Peak to Peak, Wholesale Supplies, Brambleberry, Natures Garden just to name a few. All reputable with good product. You'll be disappointed soaping if you cut corners.

Essential Oils are expensive and you do need to worry about the provenance of the oils. Not all brands are equal. Find a brand which is recommended and then worry about the price. AND, unless you are just dead-freaking-set on using essential oils, fragrance oils are likely to be a lot less expensive and give you better results in the beginning. Blending fragrances is a whole other thing.

I do buy some bulk oils from Amazon. Coconut Oil for one. You just have to look around a little bit. One of the best places for bulk oils is Columbus foods / Soaper's Choice. They are not cheaper on everything, but on a lot of things and they quality is high.

 

[Yooper]

Thank you.I bought 2 oz vanilla I was going to use next batch.Should I not use it or is there another way to use it besides adding at trace? Heres the grapefruit I bought
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00R8GX5TM/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

What vanilla did you buy? It's almost impossible to use in soap (as Melana said, it doesn't behave well), but some fragrance oils will be ok if you soap very cool so that the vanilla fragrance oil doesn't burn and turn very dark. You also want to stay under the flash point!

Citrus essential oils don't "stick" well, as they fade fast. I do use an orange EO sometimes, but I'm aware that it won't stick around long. I just still like it. It's better in hot process soap (as long as you're under the flash point!) because adding it at the end means that it sticks longer since it doesn't burn off. I tend to use citrus EOs for things like bath salts or lotions where they aren't saponified and then they last.

 

[JONNYROTTEN]

What vanilla did you buy? It's almost impossible to use in soap (as Melana said, it doesn't behave well), but some fragrance oils will be ok if you soap very cool so that the vanilla fragrance oil doesn't burn and turn very dark. You also want to stay under the flash point!

Citrus essential oils don't "stick" well, as they fade fast. I do use an orange EO sometimes, but I'm aware that it won't stick around long. I just still like it. It's better in hot process soap (as long as you're under the flash point!) because adding it at the end means that it sticks longer since it doesn't burn off. I tend to use citrus EOs for things like bath salts or lotions where they aren't saponified and then they last.

This is the Vanilla I bought.I bought Grapefruit,raspberry,vannilla and Anise.Hope I didn't waste my money.I "thought" essential oils was the "best" and fragrance oils was fakin it. Live and learn.I might be able to return everything,but not sure.If I can should I return all the oils and start from scratch with fragrance oils?
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00SNJETF2/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20