Teach Soap

Hi! I've just spent the entire afternoon trying to make 4 different batches of soap. 1 used the hot process, which gave me a nasty smelling, chunky, weird mess. The other 3 were cold process using the same recipe. The first one still hasnt set up (I think the trace was too light??), the second one has a layer of what looks like the grapeseed oil covering the harder part (trace problem again??) and the third one I think seized up?? At least it started to look like it seperated and curdled so I got scared and dumped it in a mold. I think that either my trace was too thin, or my scale is innacurate. Mostly, Im wondering if I need to have a heavy trace to pour into the mold for best results or if a thin trace can do the trick. I also used a stand mixer to mix 2 and mixed the last one by hand thinking the air getting mixed in was the problem?
Any answers would help dramatically!!!
Thank you!!!

Well, we can help you troubleshoot - let's start with the formula.

What recipe are you using? Did you add any fragrances? Give us the details for each batch, and maybe we can help out.

You most definitely need an accurate scale. You can also use a stick blender for mixing, or you can hand stir the first few batches - a stand mixer really isn't a good tool for this purpose.

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I am definitely no expert but have made quite a few batches with some iffy results in the beginning. I think the stand mixer might have been part of the problem. You can use it to make whipped soap which is actually quite fun and creative. For regular CP soap you should stir by hand or use a stick blender. I was so afraid in the beginning that I would stir to much and have a hot mess but I've learned that I can stir a little with a whisk, then use my stick blender a little, then stir some more with a whisk, and it doesn't trace crazy fast like I thought. Obviously it depends on the recipe and the fragrance how fast it traces. I think making a batch or 2 in the crock pot really helped me see the full process and know what to look for with the different stages.

Soapmaking is definitely a learning process and an art. (Coming from someone who thought that I could just whip up the first batch and be perfectly happy with it.) Keep at it...practice makes perfect, or at least useable!

This is the recipe I used:

6 ounces water
2.25 ounces lye
10 ounces olive oil
6 ounces coconut oil
1 tablespoon grapeseed oil

I didn't add any fragrance oils or essential oils, just oatmeal to two batches and honey to another.

Thank you!

Honey can make your soap overheat and do all sorts of odd things. How much did you add, and how did you add it? I'll bet that's your biggest problem.

Also, your oils should all be added by weight - that "one tablespoon of grapeseed" should be weighed and included in the calculations. I'm guessing that this recipe instructed you to add the extra tablespoon at trace for superfatting, but trust me, you can add everything up front. Adding it at trace makes no difference at all, and makes the process more complicated for no good reason.

I think when you're starting, it's good to make ONE batch, carefully, hand-stirred, with no fragrances or additives at all. It helps you see what trace should look like, and after that you can go crazy adding things.

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http://www.magichands.etsy.com
http://www.magichandsworkshop.blogspot.com

Thank you for the advice! The honey did make the whole mixture go a bit crazy-but I added only one tablespoon just like the book I was going from instructed. I got the recipe from the Everything Soap Making Book, and I thought that tablespoon was a bit funky. Although it did call for castor oil but I opted for grapeseed. Today Im going to try to make a very basic batch and see how that goes.
It is so nice to have this message board for people like me who need a little assistance! I thoink I would have given up after all of these disasters!
One more question-is my batch with the oil sitting on the top of the solidified "soap" basically garbage? Or is there anyway I can salvage it and maybe reuse it and try to trace it all over again? It has oatmeal in it too...I'm obsessed with oatmeal...
Thank you so much for all of your help!!

I would weigh your grapeseed as well. For a small recipe, it's better if you weigh in grams for more accurate results. Also you don't need to add any oils or butters at trace, since the lye is still active and it will take whatever it wants. Castor and grapeseed have different SAP values. They are not interchangeable.

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

I just made two successful batches of cold process soap!!! Thanks to all of your feedback, I finally got it right!!

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

CONGRATS! And it's great to have Magic Hands and Soap Buddy - they will never steer you wrong.

I'm glad that you didn't give up. It does take some time in the beginning.

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