Teach Soap

I have just made my first CP soap and wanted a little advice.
I thought it would never set as It didn't seem to trace very much so I poured it into the molds anyway. Today about 24 hrs later I have turned it out and cut it. It was a bit softer than I had expected but at least it is in bars. After washing my hands I noticed I could smell Hydrogen Peroxide. Is this normal or is it just is is so new and not cured?
As it was my first lot I wanted to try it out first and get the hang of it.

The ingredients were
10oz Olive oil
10oz Sunflower oil
8oz Lard
50z Walnut oil

Superfat was
3oz Walnut oil
lime & Orange FO
oh and a little turmeric powder for colour
Maybe it is all wrong and will turn out rubbish but It was good to try it and get to know how the process works.


Steve

Welcome!
Looks like a soft recipe. You know you can add all your oils/butters up front. The lye is active up to 24 hours later and adding any oil for superfat is just a waste of time. The only time it isn't is when you add an oil after the soap is cooked. As far as the smell, it's most likely a reaction of the turmeric and lye.

Do you have any coconut or palm kernel oil? Since this is your first soap, I would start really simple.

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

Thank you for your reply and advice. I thought I had to add a superfat around trace to give it the scent and to stop the soap being to drying on the skin. It is quite daunting for a newbie but very interesting
So much to learn. Also I didn't want to spend loads of money until I get it right

You're welcome. Adding superfat at trace is an old wife's tale. It won't add any scent by itself either. Save yourself the headache and add it all up front. Properly formulated recipe will not be drying. I would start with a 1 lb. batch; no color no scent til you get the hang of it.

I understand about not wanting to spend a lot of money in the beginning. You might want to take a look at Kathy Miller web site for some recipes. You can recalculate those so they only make 1 lb. http://www.millersoap.com/#Soap%20Contents

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

Well it has set and drying out but it has white all over the parts exposed to the air now. I have read about ash but it doesn't seem powdery like ash. Doesn't smell much of anything either Where has all the lime and orange FO gone?

Most citrus EO's will not survive the soapmaking process. Orange does fade in CP soap. That's why you can't smell anything. You need an anchor like Litsea, Vetiver or Patchouli.

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

I have Veriver but think it smells horrible.... wish I had known.
I am more worried about the white stuff. It looks like the skin of Brie cheese. How will I know it is safe to use?

The white stuff could be ash. Dampen your finger, then touch it to the white area. Then touch that finger to your tongue. Does it zap?

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