Soap Makers Help!

[cheeptrick]

Quote:
I personally use the cigar bands and muslin tea bags that are food grade....etsy is a great place to check out packaging ideas.

I thought you meant WHAT do you store them in AFTER curing is done!

I purchase these wooden crates from Michael's craft store....and layer the soaps in them. I usually try to package them right before sell/show....so the packaging is crisp.

 

[redhead83402]

Quote:
Do not store in plastic...I store in wooden crates.

Ask me again HOW I know!

Chlorophyll troubleshooting RAMBLINGS...

Here is what I did...
Soaped at 80 degrees...at trace I added a NEW essential oil from Essentail Wholesale (i have had trouble with some of their essentail oils....when soaping before) (eucalyptus spearmint) and 2 tbsp of liquid chlorophyll. I DID NOT insulate...and did not use goatsmilk. I think the problem was the cooler temps personally....it did go thru gel...I actually watched it. But WHY would the lye separate only on the ends? I did not whisk this batch...so it would gel. I did not insulate either...so maybe that was my problem? I've never had this happen before...I did switch chlorophyll brands? Maybe something in the chlorophyll?? I do not insulate most of my batches...and have never had this problem. I think it was the chlorophyll. I usually USE a ton more of chlorophyll too...for a much darker OLIVE color.

So...I've got 2 new ingredients that I've used in this batch and it could have affected something...and I mixed at cooler temps. I think next time I'm going to add the chlorophyll into the lye/water since rebatching it did not change the bright green color....I added at trace because I was worried the lye would super heat it and if I was going to gel it would super heat it also AGAIN...and I wanted my color to stay intact. So if I add to the lye water right before mixing with oils....I might get a better result. Also...I poured the glycerin soap on top during the end of the gel stage...maybe that was it?????

OK...do not read this far please....ramble ramble ramble!!

It helps me work it thru in my head to post this!

I am betting it was the stirring ~ remember that first batch I posted? It had the very same issue in the very corners only. Also, I did not insulate with that batch at all, nor did I let it gel. I DID, however, take forever stirring in the eo's & the tea, and then again, the corners were where it was coolest, and it DID cool down somewhat quickly. I got the exact same sort of curdy cheesy soft greasy white stuff in my corners. Also, in adding my essential oils, I did add them beofre full trace, and it was after that that I added the teas in about 3 to 4 oz of water ~ I am now wondering if it was trying to superfat or something, but the lg amount of water inhibited that somehow. One thing though ~ it did not ruin the whole batch, it was only in the very corners, so I just trimmed it off.

lol ~ in fact, I thought that was the stuff I was supposed to make the soap balls from, but they sure the heck weren't sticking together too hot. So now I have these ugly soapballs in that 1st recipe, with white curdy crap on them. I wonder if I can remelt them, (rebatch?) & use them for something else? I did taste test them, and they didn't zing me, so it probably isn't an overabundance of lye, or lye pockets, anyway.
~Red

eta: pics of issue ~

 

[cheeptrick]

Hey Thanks Red...when I tongue tested mine the ZAP was slow. At first it tasted fine like most of my soaps...but I slathered my tongue all around and WOW...it slowly zapped me and I was rushing for the sink wagging my tongue under the fawcett!! LOL

Mine rebatched alright not great because I hate rebatched soap URGH....I was so disgusted with it though that I put it molded and all in the basement; so I did not have to look at it for awhile; so I get my VIBE back! Troubleshooting this batch is getting me interested again...

 

[redhead83402]

here are my latest batches ~
Zesty Twist

&
I can't decide the name here ~ lol ~ either Wake Me Up or My Favorite Bookstore (smells just like walking into a Barnes & Noble, after having passed by the cinnamon nuts stand at the mall ~ lol)

 

[chiknwhisperer]

Redhead I love the soaps

But I couldn't help but see that in the background you have your soaps in plastic ziplocks like I do. Is that how your storing them to? Right now mine or in ziplock bags as well. I was just wondering if there was something better to store htem in or that was enough until you wanted to wrap them for giving or selling. I can't wait to go get more CO today so I can get soaping again

 

[chiknwhisperer]

how is my order supost to be here on time when it is STILL in Jacksonville FL ?! I think they are not changing their info just to spite me

 

[Morgaine]

Hey everybody! I hope every one had a great turkey day. We got back late saturday from our camping trip in the witchita mountains. We had a fantastic time. And yesterday we were able to pick up our new stove and installed it.


Quote:
I really like soap calc because I can make a recipe using percents of oils instead of having to enter exact amounts and having to tweek it till I'm close to what I want. ( I am really bad at math)

One bad thing about soap calc though is that they consider olive oil to be a soft oil and says that if you use all olive oil you will get a soft bar, which might be true at 4 weeks but with a longer cure will be rock hard.

I don't know why the lye amounts would be so different. I've had them be a gram or so different between soap calc and MMS. I personally prefer soap calc. A feature I like is that I can enter how much fragrance I want to use ppo and it will calculate to my recipe size.

Cheeptrick, so sorry to see your green soap didn't turn out. On wednesday just before we left I made soap using chlorophyll too. I added one cap full to a pound and half of oils and blended those together with the stick blender before adding my water/lye. Turned out a very pretty olive leafy green. This was a new recipe that used 15 % avocado oil. I used a cucumber melon fragrance. I have to get new batteries for my camera, but I want to post pics, I was really happy with it.

Redhead, Wow, what a soap stash you are building! I love the look of the pink one you have. How did you get that color? very nice.

Chiknwhisperer, Fingers crossed that you package gets there soon! I know just how you feel. My first order of soap stuff was delayed because they said they couldn't find our house. It was so fustrating cause it was like right there!

Are we still planning a soap swap? I am so in if we are. I can't wait to try some of yall's soaps! I think I am going to send in my salt bars. I was really happy with them and can't wait to try them in the shower!

 

[smom1976]

I think we are still planning a soap swap..

I believe it said in the posts that we were going to have a sign up after christmas.

I am totally in that one..

 

[chiknwhisperer]

I want to soap but I am nervous becasue I just started and I haven't started expeirimenting all that much and I don't want to make the same kind as anyone else.

 

[chiknwhisperer]

Here is my new boy! I pick him up tomorrow because the roads are to icy today.