Teach Soap

Hello All!

I have wanted to soapmaking for ages but never got around to it – until now. I’ve been reading and think I have a fairly good understanding of the process. I wanted to do a small 1 lb batch to start out with and thought I would try the following simple recipe:

Water: 6 oz
Lye: 2.4 oz
Olive Oil: 10.5 oz
Coconut: 5.25 oz
Castor Oil: 1 Tbl (0.5 oz)

However, I have a few questions. I entered the info into the soapcalc and the amounts are a little different:

Water: 6.08 oz
Lye: 2.288 oz
Olive: 10.4 oz
Coconut: 5.12 oz
Castor: 0.48

The difference is not that much – but what about the lye – do I use 2.4 oz or 2.3 (rounding up)? Do I go by the original recipe or use the number from the soapcalc?

Also, I have some poppy seeds and flax seeds in the kitchen cabinet – can I add a little of either of those to this and if so, would I use about 1 Tbls? What about activated charcoal – could I add a bit of that for color?

Thanks is advance – I am really looking forward to trying out this new adventure

You can do the first recipe as is ( my calc. says the water is 5.75 oz.) These are such small differences that I don't see that it makes too much difference.
As for the seeds, till you see what kind of "scrub" affect they will have in finished soap, go very easy on them. (They should be dried seeds.)
I'm not sure about the charcoal though.

Good luck and welcome!

Charcoal makes a really cool swirl and you could also color the entire batch with it, if you want it to be black. You can also use powdered parsley, tumeric, and sage for color.

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Since it's such a small batch, I would suggest doing it in grams. You get more accuracy that way.

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

okay - thanks!
while i'm here - i was just in my kitchen getting things together and realized, that with such a small batch of soap the pot i was planning to use seems waaaay too big. i mean - i don't see how i can use a stick blender with this small amount of liquid so i guess i need to just stir by hand . . here comes another dumb newbie question - is that going to take a lot longer? any estimates as to when this will trace? should i use a small pot to ensure that i get it all mixed up correctly?

You can still use a stick bender, just use something that smaller, narrower and tall enough so it doesn't splash out when you first start.
When I make 1 lb. tester batches, I mix them in a large Pyrex cup.

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

thanks for the tips guys - i finally did it!
i did use a tall narrow container and stick blender - it took about 14 minutes
things seemed to go okay - no problems and the soap looks alright
so i guess i will know in a few weeks how it works

i have been wanting to try this FOREVER and
i think i am hooked already!

i'm looking at various recipes and found another one i'd like to try!
it's for a hemp/coconut/olive oil blend -
will this have any "natural" color without adding anything?
what about smell?
i'd like it to be a nice shade of green - like a light olive color
and to have a nice smell - not too fragrant but mild
any suggestions?

EDIT: after looking at scents i came across one called Basmati Rice on bramble berry. the description states it discolors to a dark brown. Has anyone ever used this scent? it sounds interesting
i also found one on oregon trails called sapmoss that sounds good and wasbi on bramble berry - sooo many choices, it' shard to choose but i love it!

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