Teach Soap

Sugar tends to melt. I would go with plain table salt.

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

My recipe was pretty simple. I used beer (I reduced a 12oz beer to about 6 oz), 80% coconut oil, 10% castor oil, and 10% apricot kernel oil. 20% superfat. For the salt I used kosher salt at 75% of the total weight of oils. I can't remember if I discounted the water or not, I think it was on the low side. I put it in the oven set on 180 and checked on it every 30 min. At 1 1/2 hours it was pretty hard, so I pulled it out and sliced it right away- it was pretty firm, but easy enough to slice.

And I added blue green mica, which turned out pretty meh- it looks more green in that picture, but it has darkened to a concrete looking grey. I think I used too much. I think next time I may use aqua pearl instead. But otherwise I like how they turned out. Most of the batch is still curing, but I started using a little sliver that was cut off the end and I really like the lather and the way it feels.

Brandislee, thanks for your receipe.

I'm plannig to go between your & soapbuddy receipe, which will be coconut 80% castor 20% with 20% superfat. I'll use 50% salt of the total oils. Pls check if my receipe is ok to go ahead with. Can I use epsom salt?
Can i put any essential oil in salt bar? Is it necessary to put salt bar in oven..can't it be left in cool dry place n after 12 or 24 hours i can cut it?

_________________
Pal

I do my salt bars in Bramble Berry's 12 bar silicone bar mold so I don't have to worry about cutting them. Makes life much easier!

_________________
Linda
I know the voices in my head aren't real, but they sure have some great ideas!

I was wondering if BB's birch molds w/dividers would work for the salt bars. Has anyone tried this? I'm afraid of being unable to remove the dividers.

_________________
Linda

I learn so much when I can't leave well enough alone!

hey guys, thanks for your feedback.

Could you pls revert on my below points as well. Thanks

I'm plannig to go between your & soapbuddy receipe, which will be coconut 80% castor 20% with 20% superfat. I'll use 50% salt of the total oils. Pls check if my receipe is ok to go ahead with. Can I use epsom salt?
Can i put any essential oil in salt bar? Is it necessary to put salt bar in oven..

_________________
Pal

That recipe should be fine (just run through a calc to get the right lye amount). What do you plan to use as your liquid? From my reading beer, aloe juice, and coconut milk are strongly recommended liquids because they encourage lather, and lather is an issue in salt bars. But water is okay, too.

I have no idea about Epsom Salt. I would stick with Kosher or table salt, but that's just me. I think magnesium is one of the minerals that causes issues in the sea salt bars, and epsom salt basically IS magnesium. Plus, the point of epsom salts is to increase magnesium in the body, so there is no reason to use it in a rinse off product. I know it's cheap, but so is Kosher salt.

I used a lime fragrance oil in my salt bar. I would guess that EO's hold up in salt bars about as well as they do in CP soap, so check out the brambleberry fragrance calculator and it will tell you how much to use and any notes on the particular oil. Mint holds up nice in CP soap, I know. With EO's you've also got to be aware of the max usage rates, because unlike FO's EO's are also drugs, and they can be very powerful. I don't know if it's necessary to put it in the oven, but it makes it go through gel quickly and then firm up, so you can cut it quickly and easily. I had no issues cutting mine because I stayed on top of it and cut it as soon as it was firm and cool enough to touch. I would highly suggest doing it.

I hope that answers your questions...

Thanks a ton Brandislee for your detailed reply. I think i'll go with aloe juice & regular salt for 1st time. Will keep you guys posted on the final results.

_________________
Pal

_________________
***************
Lesli Sagan
Avital's Apiaries
Like us: http://www.facebook.com/AvitalsApiaries

Ugh, patience is no fun!

_________________
Linda

I learn so much when I can't leave well enough alone!

_________________
~~Heather~~
Mad [soaping] Scientist

Last night I had a hard time falling asleep because of all the soaping ideas running through my head. Now there are more!!! Does this count as an excuse to get more molds?

_________________
Linda

I learn so much when I can't leave well enough alone!

_________________
~~Heather~~
Mad [soaping] Scientist

_________________
Linda
I know the voices in my head aren't real, but they sure have some great ideas!

Obviously the most understanding, encouraging (ahem enabling!) people are in this forum!

_________________
Linda

I learn so much when I can't leave well enough alone!