Teach Soap

HI ,
I made some LS for the first time, Followed the instructions exact everything went well I got through all my stages just as I should have when I got to the end of cooking and tested for clarity it was in between a milk and cloudy stage.
I continued to cook re-testing every hour for the next 3 hours and it was still cloudy but had read this could happen with certain oils.
So I went ahead and went on with diluting it and when I was done it turned clear.
I had purchased the liquid guru kit from BB read where if I had a skin/film on top to dilute it some more which I had to do 3 times.
I then used the Borax solution to neutralize with and my soap started getting really cloudy do I did not finish pouring the borax solution into the soap. I went ahead separated it into my jars fragranced and colored them let them cool capped them and they have been sitting for almost 48 hours and they haven't thickened at all and after adding the extra water to keep it from getting the film they are REALLY watery and the soap in 2 of the 3 jars have separated.

The separation is not real bad just a very thin clear layer of Liquid at the bottom of the jar and the rest is very cloudy.
I used PH strips to test as I do not have phenolphthalein it tested between 9.0 and 9.5 which should be about right from everything I have read. So what I am wondering here is
#1 even though it separated is it still ok to use?
I did put some in a small cup and washed my arm with a bit in the shower and it didn't bother me at all.
#2 any ides why it only separated in 2 of the 3 jars?
#3 is there any way to thicken it up if it is still usable even if it has sat a few days?
and #4 if I can add something to thicken it will that keep it from separating again or can I do anything about that?

Sorry this is so long I just did not want to leave anything out and tried to be as clear as possible.

I don't dilute it more if I get the skin on top. I just skim the skin off and use it just for myself. It sounds like you added too much water. I don't use borax for my liquid soap at all. I superfat at 3% and my soap comes out clear. It won't thicken with the extra water. You really should get the phenophtalein drops as the pH strips are not accurate for liquid soap. It's probably ok to use for yourself, but this isn't something that I would sell.

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

The only way for me to get thick liquid soap is to make a high olive oil soap and control the dilution. High percentage of coconut will thin out every time on me--but I don't like too much coconut anyway--too drying.

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Lesli Sagan
Avital's Apiaries
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{I don't dilute it more if I get the skin on top. I just skim the skin off and use it just for myself. It sounds like you added too much water. I don't use borax for my liquid soap at all. I superfat at 3% and my soap comes out clear. It won't thicken with the extra water. You really should get the phenophtalein drops as the pH strips are not accurate for liquid soap. It's probably ok to use for yourself, but this isn't something that I would sell.}



Yeah I figured I used WAY too much water I was holding on to any tiny piece of hope that I would be able to thicken it Lol
I am glad to know that I can just skim the film from the top though! Thanks : )

I have been making CP soap for a few years and have been wanting to try the liquid soap because all the women at the craft fairs
always say they are more into body wash than bar soap.
The one show I do a few times a year I have not done great at there are 2 other soap makers there that make CP soap as well but one of the ladies have body wash and lotion so she is very busy selling body wash but she told me she was using the
pre made base from WSP and just marketing it as handmade and I just don't feel comfortable doing that!
If someone asks me straight out if I made it from scratch or if it was a base Im not going to lie.
And I have been asked that before on my soaps.

I am always trying to salvage anything I make even if that means keeping it for myself to use. Lol
I figured if it was still ok to use I might just use it to refill my hand soaps in the bathrooms if anything.

Mellifera, I too am sensitive to coconut oil I have been experimenting with Babbasu oil but have just ordered Palm Kernel to try out as well My skin burns and itches so bad it keeps me awake at night. : (
My sister has the same issue she is always over here stealing soaps to see if anything I make helps lol
I have learned some people just expect you to work miracles when they find out you make soap and I have not been able to explain to them why I cant fix their dry itchy skin completely!

I want to try the liquid soap again but the recipes for LS are so limited and all have tons of coconut oil and I do not fully understand
everything when I enter recipes on the LS calculators.