Soap Makers Help!

[ChicksterJo]

Renee I love the color of that green soap!! I am going to try to do a sea clay soap today to try to get a green color. Hope it doesn't look yucky.

My past two or three batches haven't really gelled. They feel "creamier" than my lavender batch, which was the last one to gel.

I've been adding castor oil to superfat my batches and so far it has worked ok.

 

[MullersLaneFarm]

I need to put down my knitting, spinning and mini-needle punching to make some more soap!!

How fast does chlorophyll fade in soaps? anyone know?

 

[Morgaine]

I have stopped using it in soap because if it is exposed to light, it turns brown and stinks like DOS but worse. If you keep in your house away from sunlight, it can take months before it starts to fade or turn. But I am in hot humid Texas. Not sure if that plays a part or not.

Cyndi, you think you would be able to do a valentines swap?
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=592426

 

[MullersLaneFarm]

Quote:
Thanks for the info, Morgaine.

I'm going to be teaching classes every week in January & February (spinning, knitting & soap making), so I better not commit to it.

 

[Renee']

Quote:
Right, the chlorophyll bar I had was more perfume-y I guess, but not overwhelming or too sweet, either. My dd and I really liked it and would love to reproduce it. Where did you get your chlorophyll? I was going to order it online, but it sounds like you maybe found yours locally.

I bought it at Clark's, a health food store.

Here are the three I made last night. I was concerned about the coconut oil content of my recipe (25% too drying) so I decided to tweak it a bit and add 1% shea butter, boy did that 1% change the texture. I hope I am not sorry.

I wouldn't be worried about the coconut oil being too drying, what superfat percentage are you using? I did a coffee soap that was 80% coconut & 20% lard with a 20% superfat and it is a huge hit around here. My sister says her hands feel great and smell like "hotel soap" after she washes. This is weird, because the coffee soap is meant to remove smells from hands... it's totally unscented!

I need to make another batch of this soon, along with yet another that I'll add anise eo to for my hunter friends. They'll be bringing me free tallow soon, so I need to get some bars made up for them.

Honestly, I don't know my superfat" info. I'm still a newbie and a bit afraid of trying to superfat.
I like that chlorophyll one, I'm going to have to get some... That middle one is so creamy-white! I love it! What size tube are you using for your round soaps? I need to run out today and I'd like to pick up a pvc pipe while I'm out. I'm thinking 3", but a little less might be better. (I need them to fit in men's shave mugs)

My husband is a Pringles freak so I have used a gazillion Pringles cans (been saving for a while). They are a tad under 3" (don't remember exactly)

I really need to stop making soap and start knitting!

I hear you! I left a hat half finished last year. I just haven't had it in me to pick it up again yet. I'm sure I'll pick up the needles again soon, but for now soaping and my books are the bigger draw.

 

[Renee']

Quote:
Thanks for the info, Morgaine.

I'm going to be teaching classes every week in January & February (spinning, knitting & soap making), so I better not commit to it.

I wish I lived closer so I could attend your classes.

 

[mom'sfolly]

I cut the lemon/ginger poppyseed soap today. It isn't as yellow as I was hoping for, but at least it isn't orange. It is slightly tannish, but still in the yellow family.

 

[buffbeauty]

How does it smell??

 

[mom'sfolly]

It smells strongly of lemongrass with a ginger undertone. The Ginger EO was very earthy, so I'm glad that this scent has a very citrusy note. I was afraid the earthiness of the ginger would be overwhelming. I used four different EOs with lemongrass and ginger being the main ones. One is a mixed herbal EO that I use with the citrusy EOs as an anchor. I used about 1-2 tablespoons of poppyseed and it seems to be about the look I was going for.

 

[itsy]

Hey all! I want to try my hand at making my first soap tonight or tomorrow. Without EO or liquid fragrance....is there a way to scent the soap?

I have:

A TON of extra virgin olive oil
A 14oz jar of coconut oil that is solidified, so I'm sure I'd have to heat it
Lye (16oz crystals)
Honey
Bananas
Dried Sage
Fresh Rosemary
Cinnamon
Sweet potatos....... Can any of this be used for me (the ultimate soap newbie) to make soap?

I also bought a stick blender and two cans of Pringles (to use as molds and for me to get fat on.

)

Thanks in advance for your help!