Hi,
I am Keleigh and am also new to the craft of soapmaking. I am particularly interested in liquid soaps since that is my family's preference. I have a friend who is showing me the ropes. She has given a couple of free demonstrations in the area...very kind. So far so good. I would like to totally replace the storebought lquid soaps in my home and possibly head in the direction of selling to others...eventually. Thank you for the forum. I hope that it really takes off!
Hello all. My name is Fred Keefer. I have been making soap for about five years: starting as a hobby and after I retired again, selling at craft shows and in shops for about one and one-half years. I make cold process bar soaps using a six oil blend that I formulated. I also make shaving soap, saddle soap/artist's brush cleaner and 100% pure Castille soap. I have found that I can sell my soaps at a much more reasonable price by using fragrance oils as opposed to esential oils. I am currently working on a laundry soap recipe. I don't know if it will eventually be liquid, cream or powder. I am starting with a zero superfat simple bar soap recipe. As you might tell I love making and discussing soap. I have even had the privilege of doing a couple of soap making demonstrations. The Texas sun does an excellent job of warming my oils most of the year so I guess you could say it is a solar powered soap business.
To the newbees I say don't be discouraged when, not if, your soap batch turns out to be a botch. It has happened to us all. Just pay very close attention to the details when making your soap. Measure/weigh carefully. Have your water moving (stirring) as you add lye. Have your oils moving (stirring) as you add your lye water. Doing those three things will eliminate a LOT of botched batches. Soap making is a lot of fun and can be a lot of work. Enjoy.
fred
Hello, I am Becci, I live in the Ozarks of Arkansas. I made my first batch of soap out in the country with a group of women, several years ago. The lady teachinig us has since moved to Australia and then to Central America... cool huh!! Anyway, I have been meaning to get busy and make more soap, but have not found the time to do so. I have a lot of supplies stored up, I just need to get them put together and make some really awesome soaps!
I do have a question, though, I heard that in order to add essential oils or any type of fragrance to the soap it has to be melted down after it cures and then the oils/fragrances can be added. Is this so? Is that because the lye will 'eat' away the fragrance? (I can't think of a better word there, sorry.) I would like to add essential oils at some point in my soap making journey.
Thanks for being here and I hope to be able to post some photos .... soon!
Becci
Hi Becci
Adding scent material by remelting done soap & then stirring the scent in would be ideal (& the only way if one's dealing with melt & pur soap), but tough to do with solid handcrafted soap. It's ok to add scent stuff when the new soap batter has reached 'trace' and is ready to pour into your mold. By then the majority of saponification has happened and the pH is no longer so extremely alkaline as at first addition of lye-water.
Be careful & work quickly at this point because some scent materials will suddenly accelerate saponification and you'll need to pour into your mold quickly before it 'sets up' in your bowl.
Cool! Thank you so much. I have melted the hardened soap before and that was a pure mess. I was convinced that I would never have a scented soap, at least not made by me. LOL.
Thanks for the site and the info....
Hi Keleigh and welcome to the forum! Since this is a realtive new forum we are all "new"; keep us posted on your progress.