Teach Soap

I have limted space to store curing soaps. I was wondering where do you guy who have limited space store your soap? Only place i can think of for me is my own bedroom? also how do you store them like do you have shelves racks again theo only thing i can think of is placing them on my floor? how do you store soap that packed and ready to go for me the only thing i can think of is milk crates or marked moving boxes.

Thanks
Sydney

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~~Sydney~~
The Crafty Lefty

I store mine in an extra closet in baseball card boxes like this:
http://www.amazon.com/BCW-Count-Corruga ... B000K3XQ9O

That's after they've cured for about 3 weeks.

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Genny

oh oh well that solves the after curing issue i havve a big walk in with a top shelf that i keep my shoes i can store them there

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~~Sydney~~
The Crafty Lefty

cp soap needs air circulation when being stored. I just leave mine on (coated) wire shelves. At one time I bought a hundred plastic shoe boxes and put air holes in them, thinking that would be a perfect storage solution. I stacked them in my walk in closet. For me though, they were too bulky and cumbersome when I went to tote them to shows, then a pain to repack as well. Now I have display stands which I pack the soap in, directly from the racks. They stack for travel and if I have another show right away, I just leave them in the display stands. Otherwise, I usually set them back on the racks so that I can more easily keep inventory numbers straight.

If I was you, I'd opt for the walk in closet over the floor. To me, the floor is too dusty and too easy to spill things on. If you have room in your closet, you could place a wire rack in there. You can get one at walmart for about 50$ or at a yard sale or second hand store even cheaper. I even have a heavy plastic ones that have grid like shelving, making excellent air space. I picked one of those up for 5$ at a yard sale. Another idea is the way that I used to dry herbs. My craft room was packed full, so I needed space. My friend built a wood frame (very inexpensive, just a few pieces of wood) and then we covered it with screen, stapling the screen (taught) over the frame. Then I hung it with some chain from the ceiling, so that it was out of the way.

Good luck finding a solution that works for you!

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Remember, it's not just that we weather the storm, but how we dance in the rain.

Tammy

Thanks for the great tips. Another question does cp soaps give off a chemical like smell or fumes other then when your dealing with the lye

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~~Sydney~~
The Crafty Lefty

The lye does give off fumes when you add it to water. You need a well ventilated area or take your water pitcher outside and mix your lye water there. Do not inhale the fumes. Once the lye water cools off, you will be fine. Just follow all safety precautions, including gloves, long pants, long sleeves and eye protection.

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

There can be an ammonia-like smell for a couple of days with goats milk soaps too. Only noticeable if you directly sniff them though, nothing to be careful of like the lye fumes

great thanks i only asked cause i hand some storages/cureing ideas of having them in a closet but i didnt want the smell to get in my clothes. can you make and let the soaps cure outside? my parents have a very big screend in back porch. can i make and cure back there? this is jus for CP only not MP

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~~Sydney~~
The Crafty Lefty

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

You could pick up a couple USPS Priority medium boxes - for the soaps that are curing, use one that has a bunch of holes punched in it. After curing, just put the soap in boxes that don't have holes for longer term storage.

If you don't scent your soap, you should be fine having the soap in your closet. The biggest issue is if you fragrance your soaps. Then you will definitely get some mixed fragrances going that may or may not be liveable, and the smell will stick to your clothes.

ETA: You could also consider putting the boxes under your bed. I store extra molds I don't use often underneath mine.

Is there any space in your parent's laundry room that you could use to cure and/or store it? I agree with the other folks. I'd avoid outside, mostly because of humidity + some dirt. I'd avoid the floor because the soaps will get dirty. Left out they'll get dusty practically anywhere.

Great!!! for all the info and tips. The postal box idea might work best for the curing issue. the after curing storage wasnt that big of an issue but it was the curing and since I live in Fla and cant make soap in my house i will have to use my pareants shed anyways when i want to sell to the public the legit way. So thanks so much for all the tips I cant wait till i really get started now.

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~~Sydney~~
The Crafty Lefty