Soap Makers Help!

[Morgaine]

Quote:
I'll answer what I can.

With the olive oil, extra virgin is from the first pressing, and pomace olive oil is what is left over from the first and second pressings. Often a solvent is used to extract the oil. Unlike cooking, for soaping you ca use the cheapest olive oil you can find and it won't make a difference. I have never used pomace olive oil before, but I have read that it can speed up trace so keep that in mind. You also need to decide if you care that a solvent was used.

The 76 and 92 degree coconut tells you at what temp they go from solid to liquid. Most of the stuff in the stores is the 76 degree one, it's what I use. I think the fractionated one is one that has been treated to stay a liquid, but I'm not positive.

If you are into saving the rain forest, you might want to use the organic palm. I can find you more info later.

Jojoba oil is actually a wax. I don't like to use products that have it in them because it breaks me out.

I'm not sure about the castor oil. I don't know what turkey red is. It might be a lower grade like pomace that is fine for soap but is not food grade.

Shea Butter. refined means that the natural scent and color have been removed.

Hope that helps. It really is addictive. I just finished making Oatmeal, milk and Honey salt bars. I used coconut milk for the liquid and didn't let it gel. This will be my first time not gelling. I'll post some pictures later.

Good Luck!

 

[chiknwhisperer]

My bird dog pushed through the kennel fencing to get to the chickens. Him and my rooster never did get along. My dog never had a problem with any of my other chickens until now. I had let the dogs out to run around and when I went out to put them back in their kennel I could tell something was wrong by the look on my other dog's face. I looked right over to the chicken coop and their was my other lab standing over Atreyu

He got cussed out and everything. DH yelled at me for being so angry with him. The dog has awsome instinct as hunting dog wich is what we use him for. I never thought he would go that far. They used to stand as close as they could and bark and crow at eachother.

All I could do is hold him in my arms and cry. DH didn't think I should be all lik that since he was livestock. But I was the only one who loved him even though he was rowdy and ornery. I loved him he was a beautiful BA

I was going to make soap tonight but I just can't. I'm sorry to be off topic but I have been talkin to you gals so much that I felt you wouldn't mind if I shared my sorrow with you for a moment. I hate crying. And right now I hate my dog right now.

 

[Backyard Buddies]

ChicksnPacas - Welcome! Glad to have you join us! You are SOOOO lucky to live close to Columbus Foods/Soapers Choice! I'm jealous!

To answer your questions - what Morgaine said!

Olive Oil - In the TSC book, she writes that her preference is grade A or B REFINED Olive Oil. The higher grades will need a longer saponification time. With a pomace OO, you need to be prepared to act quickly once the fragrance is added because it can overreact to other soapmaking ingredients.

Castor Oil - I bought mine there and selected the USP. Turkey Red is sulfonated Castor Oil (added sulfuric acid) and completely disperses in water. It's supposed to be good for making bath oil products. It is dark red/brown in color whereas the USP is nearly colorless and odorless. Since I was making soap instead of bath oils, I opted for the USP rather than the Turkey Red because I was afraid it might discolor my soap and overpower any scents I was adding. Still, those who like the Turkey Red say it is amazing stuff.

Can't wait to see your soaps!

 

[Backyard Buddies]

Quote:
Oh dang chiknwhisperer! I'm so sorry that happened. You must be heartbroken - not just at your lost, but because another pet you love was responsible.

I feel honored that you brought your heartbreak to us on this thread. I hope that the hugs and support we can offer will in some small way help you through this.

I'm so sorry!

 

[ChicksnPacas]

Thanks Morgaine and Backyard Buddies for explaining some of the differences. I can't wait to get my order going. Now I have to figure out essential oils or fragrances!

Chiknwhisperer, I am so sorry for your loss. It brings tears to my eyes. I am very sad for you.

We all feel you pain.

 

[chiknwhisperer]

Thank you everyone I'm still teary eyed this mornin. There was no crowing back at the dogs. He hated the dogs lol. Well mostly the one that killed him.

I think he was trying to defend his ladies when it happened. He could be real mean when you got on his bad side. I'll miss the heck outa him

I'm going to try to make more soap today in between baking. Maybe that will help. I got OO, SO, and PO from GFS yesterday. I have a recipe that calls for coconut oil and palm oil. Can I substitute peanut oil for palm oil? I also have to convert from grams to ounces. The recipe is just enough for one bar but I want LOTS of bars. Maybe I'll just look for a different recipe. Thanks agin for your sympathy it really helps espeacially when everyone else in your hoome says they can't think of anything good about your roo. I'm the only one that loved him

 

[cockadoodlemom]

chiknwhisperer~I know your pain and I'm sorry you lost him that way.

 

[Backyard Buddies]

Quote:
Just remind your family that you love THEM despite their flaws!

As for your question about the peanut oil replacing the palm - remember that the peanut oil is liquid and the palm is solid at room temperature. Replacing a saturated fat with an unsaturated one will affect the hardness of your bar and/or the curing time. Peanut oil will also provide some conditioning lacking in the palm. Trace may also take longer.

If you use any peanut oil in your soaps, be sure to label them that way. Some people have a deadly reaction to peanut products.

As for the recipe, go to the MMS calculator. Plug in the recipe as stated. Once calculated, scroll down to the bottom of the page and there's a place to change the recipe. It'll ask you how many ounces of oil you want to use and will figure out everything including the new lye figures.
http://www.thesage.com/calcs/lyecalc2.php

 

[Backyard Buddies]

Did we lose cheeptrick, Ninja, and MP?

I miss their presence and great advice. And, I was looking forward to the possibility of the soap swap and all. Hope you guys find some time to say hi amongst what must be keeping you busy!

 

[chiknwhisperer]

Thanks for the info on the diferences in the oils. I didn't know about that part. I have started labeling my soaps that are curing so that I don't forget what is what and made with what.