Teach Soap

So in my recent unemployment, I've decided to do something that I've been dying to do forever- make some CP soap. I have read and watched videos and I feel confident in the steps and safety precautions and all that.

I do have a couple of questions though. A while back I bought "The Natural Soap Book" by Susan Miller Cavitch and read it several times. She talks about the importance of adding a natural preservative (grapeseed extract oil) and adds it to every one of the recipes in the book. I could have sworn I've read on here that several of you don't even bother with preservatives... why? What, if any, are the pro's of using GSE?

Also, she talks about colorants and how most of them aren't natural. She suggests using spices for colorants... but wouldn't spices add scent as well? That seems unfavorable. She also mentions vegetable dyes but says that they won't make it past the CP process. What do you guys use?

One more thing: does anyone have the book "Soap and Other Obsessions"? What do you think of it?

Thanks in advance for helping and responding!

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ween rules

Grapeseed extract is wasted in soap. It's an anti-oxidant, not a preservative. Spices will not add scent. If you haven't made soap before, I would suggest taking a look at Kathy Miller's site. http://www.millersoap.com/#Soap Contents
Good luck on your new endeavor!

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Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.

I second what Soap Buddy said - adding GSE is a waste in cold process.

I like Susan Miller Cavitch's books, as well, and have tried most of the recipes, but I don't always agree with her outlook on fragrances and colorants - or on the use of GSE!!

GOOD LUCK and HAVE FUN!

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HEAVENLY SCENT SOAPS

Thanks for the information and encouraging words. I bought a really nice soap mold off of Ebay last night that has a 5 lb. capacity.

Probably a really silly question, but how do I make a batch that is around 5 lbs? Do just the oils need to add up to 5 lbs, or is it the oils + lye soulution? I haven't seen this question anywhere- maybe I'm just overthinking it?

Thanks again!

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ween rules

Confirm this with Soap Buddy for sure, but I believe that it is based on total weight of the ingredients - not just the oils. Many recipes are designed for 5lb batches. But, the recipes in Susan Miller Cavitche's first book are larger than 5lb, so I cut them in half. In her 2nd book, her recipes accommodate 5lb batches.

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HEAVENLY SCENT SOAPS

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Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.

Thanks Soapbuddy! When the mold gets here I'll do that!

In the meantime, I have been futzing around with SoapCalc trying to make a recipe of my own for a 5 lb batch. Can someone who knows what they're doing look this over real quick and tell me whether or not it's any good?

34% olive
27% palm
26% coconut
8% castor
5% shea butter

I also used the recommended 5% superfat and 38% water with 2.5oz of fragrance.

Thanks in advance, and I really don't think I'd ever consider making CP soap if it wasn't for you guys!

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ween rules

I would do 5% castor and add the difference to your olive.

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Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.

I wish I could hug you through the computer. Thank you so much

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ween rules

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Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.