Teach Soap

I have yet to make my first CP batch, mainly because I haven't gotten the fats and oils like coconut oils, castor oils etc. Is there any basic (very basic) good soaping recipe out there for me to try first?
I have Crisco, lard, olive oil, canola oil.
Oh, and is peanut oil ever used in CP soap making? And, if not, why not?
I just want to start as basic and simple as possible at first. Too many CP recipes makes it all the more confusing as to which ones I should buy, and how much ...etc.
Thanks in advance.

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

Thanks coolah. I have been reading, researching, watching you tube videos..as much as possible...but it seems like most of what I find are the multi oils recipes. I hadn't come across the peanut oil, and hadn't thought to search it...still learning my way around in here. I have one person I email with on on yahoo, but even his "basic" soap has coconut oil (?). He says to use the solid coconut oil...
Bottom line is....so much of all the information is confusing. I think I have found something I could work with, then, upon further investigation, put that particular recipe on the back burner.
Even recommended books ..there are so many out there. I agree with starting basic and simple at first, for a newbie CP beginner. But, having trouble getting there.

Pretty much all recipe's will have coconut oil in them - it's almost a 'staple' if you will.

The basic recipe I started with was:

Olive Oil - 50%
Coconut Oil - 20%
Palm Oil - 25%
Castor Oil - 5%

That's a fairly "stock standard" recipe that produces a hard bar with good lather and bubbles.

When he's talking about a solid coconut oil - ask if he means the melt point? There is a 76 degree Coconut oil (meaning it's melting point is 76 deg) and a 96 one. Most are 76 deg.

Where abouts are you located? Are you able to order from Bramble Berry? They have a CP kit which might be the way for you to go: http://www.brambleberry.com/Beginners-C ... P5202.aspx

If not BB, is there anywhere else online that you would be able to buy a kit from? Try Googling for 'CP Soap Kit" and your country/area...

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

Ok, then that makes it simple. I order some coconut oils...solid and liquid(?). As well as palm and castor oil.
I am just working on limited funds right now, and of course being a CP newbie. But, if all soaps needs some of a certain oil...makes it easier to understand.

I placed an order earlier with BB, and plan on using them more as I go along. I just got stumped on the oils bit. Kind of information overload on some of it.

Now, are the palm and coconut oils both liquids on the recipe you posted?

Coconut, just to be confusing, is both. It's solid (ish) at room temperature, but can become liquid in warmer weather. For example my CO is mostly solid - some firm enough to need a knife, the edges are usually still soft and can be spooned out. But on a warm summer day, the box (I have 20kg) goes half liquid...

Palm oil is a solid. And you will need to melt down the ENTIRE container/tub/bag that you buy the first time. Palm Oil has stearic acid which slowly migrates to the bottom. So ideally, heat up the entire amount (microwave or double boiler) and then divide into smaller containers to make it easier to manage.

Also, be sure what ever recipe you use, you ALWAYS run it through a lye calculator. This is a very (VERY) important step. Bramble Berries is probably the easiest for a first timer: http://www.brambleberry.com/pages/Lye-Calculator.aspx

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

Also with Palm Oil, please locate a sustainable sourced version. http://www.palmoilaction.org.au/index.html

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

Here's a chart I used when first looking at what oils can do for soap:
http://www.soapnuts.com/indexoils.html

It really helped me figure out what oils I wanted.

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Genny

You can also make a basic soap using 100% lard with a superfat of 7%. It's very similar to a 100% olive oil soap. Neither one have much lather, but they are both nice soaps. If you can get some castor oil, you can add 5% to either the lard or olive oil to get a little lather.

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

Not sure wher you are located but you can purchase Castor and Coconut oil at your local Walmart to get you started. Castro oil is found in the laxative aisle. Coconut oil is in with you other cooking oils. Check your local Chinese cookin stoer for Palm oil.
But BEWARE this is addicting and soon you'll want larger quantities to PLAY with

Rhonda

Sorry to reply back so late in the day. I am in South Carolina, and have Walmart everywhere. I will research the posted information, and thank you all very much for your help and input!!