Teach Soap

Does an FO free batch smell good? Its an odd question I guess... but my FO free HP smells kind of chemically and I really don't want that again LOL, Mom says it smells "clean" but I find it smells horrible! The FO I have is "CP tested and safe" its not supposed to separate, speed trace or cause seizing or ricing (supposedly). I was considering using 1oz of this FO in my first batch (a 2 lb batch), but I don't know which way to go now!

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~~Heather~~
Mad [soaping] Scientist

Oh!!! I had a second question! SoapCalc has 3 different coconut oil classifications; 76 deg, 92 deg and fractionated. How do I know which I have? Its a bottle from bulk barn (where I work =D) and I've searched the label for indication and there is nothing.

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~~Heather~~
Mad [soaping] Scientist

I like the smell of unscented CP better than unscented MP. It has a "soapy" kind of smell.
I would do an unscented batch before adding any type of fragrance or color, just so you get a feel for the process. I've had FOs that said that, but they can still sometimes cause problems, so why add extra stress on your first batch?

The 72 & 96 degree coconut oils are the temps that the oil becomes a liquid. I think 72 is probably the most common - most of what you buy in the grocery store says that it melts at 72 degrees. Fractionated coconut oil is a liquid already and you would have to order it by name.

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Linda
I know the voices in my head aren't real, but they sure have some great ideas!

Unscented soap has a clean, soapy smell. If you don't know which coconut oil you have, I would go with the 72 degree. Make sure that it's not fractionated, as that would make your soap very soft.

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

The very first batch I made the other day was plain - no colour, no fragrance. I was quite surprised at just how good it smelled!! I kept walking past it and was like "wow, that smells good" and I would go in for a closer sniff.

I agree that has it has a lovely clean soap smell.

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The Soapinatrix! *whip-crack*
- Posting the trials and tribulations of my Soaping Journey!

Wonderful! Thanks folks! I will try some tomorrow if I have time! I also picked up a plastic "shoebox" to line and use as a mold for my first batch. Will try my hard plastic detailed mold on a subsequent batch. The box is $.67 at Home Depot =D Guess its on sale right now! Looked like a decent mold, especially for under a dollar!

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~~Heather~~
Mad [soaping] Scientist

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

I was only going to fill it about an inch and a half or so, thanks for the calculation info tho! Very helpful! Think I will wait till after Christmas though, I'm getting a nice digital scale as a gift =D I did the math and got 197.6 [(8*13*4.75)*0.4] How should I use that in my SoapCalc? I admit is been a while since I did any math calculations!

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~~Heather~~
Mad [soaping] Scientist

The recipe I plan to use is:
55% olive oil
30% coconut oil
10% palm oil
5% castor oil

Gives me a good cleansing/conditioning/bubbly ratio =) Does it sound alright?

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~~Heather~~
Mad [soaping] Scientist

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

Thanks Irena =D I wasn't sure about having the coconut over 20%, I know it can be drying and itchy.

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~~Heather~~
Mad [soaping] Scientist

My DH says my soaps without FO smell like playdough! I say to him... 'whatever'!! My sister likes the smell of the unscented soaps.

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Susie
Sometimes A Mistake is so much fun, You just have to do it again!

Oh! That's exactly what my unscented HP smells like! I don't care for it much =P But my family likes it. I make it for my older bro who is very into natural products, and my fiance's Nan who likes things done the "old fashioned" way =) I prefer a light scent myself, makes me feel cleaner for some reason. My second batch will have a light FO, was thinking 1oz per 2 lbs of fats. Its called bergamot. Its a nice light citrus scent.

Has anyone used evening primrose oil? Is it a nice light floral scent like the plant? The soap I use now is a hand crafted one we sell at work. It's evening primrose and the smell is divine! I would like to copy that scent if I could =D

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~~Heather~~
Mad [soaping] Scientist

I do not know about the evening primrose but I have used bergamot and really like that one. I'm not sure if I like the scent because of the tea or if I like earl grey tea because of the scent??

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Susie
Sometimes A Mistake is so much fun, You just have to do it again!