Teach Soap

From the time you make your first test batch to the time you put it up for sale, would anyone mind posting their process with the timeline? I really want to be sure that I am doing the right thing and not rushing the process. I am a relative newbie to soap making, but I have been running my own small business for about 5 years so I know about product liability issues, etc. and I want to be sure I am doing everything by the book, so any advice you could offer would be appreciated. TIA!!

ETA: More specifically, how do you test your new products? Who do you test them on? How long do you go through this testing process before you decide to add it to your line? Thanks!

For test batches that were CPHP I used to wait a couple of weeks. Not it's solid 4 weeks, 6 weeks even better. I just have to keep on top of things.

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

I have bought some real high end professional soap that is in excess of two years old.

I don't sell soap, however if I did, I would mark all labels with their birth dates. That way the melt and pour I know can be out the door right away, the CP I would want to keep home 4 to 6 weeks depending on process, and before they were cured enough to begin packaging and selling.

I'm not a professional but if I were I think this would be a very simple time line to follow and protect your customers and product so it is top shelf when you deliver it.

I'm positive there are many ways to track this, so let us know which one makes the most sense to you when you decide!

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~bytheSEAsoap~ Mella bythesea, bythesea, bythebeautiful sea

海の皂

I shrink wrap at 3 weeks (give or take). Depends on what events I have scheduled after that to sale. Sometimes a week....sometimes several weeks or months. Nothing before 3 weeks though. My feedback has always been good with the exception of a weak fragrance. I tried a bar that only cured for 7 days. It wasn't bad but I wouldn't sell or give one to anybody that's only cured for one week.

Happy Valentines Day everyone.

My CP oven processed I wait 4 weeks and my non-gel soaps I wait 6 weeks before I give them to anyone. I always cut a couple sample bars (usually the end pieces) to test the soap. I either give it to a friend to test or stick it in my shower. Before I give it to anyone else to test, I usually wash my hands with a piece of it, just for peace of mind! The longer it sits, the milder it becomes and the longer it lasts in the shower. I know you're supposed to put it in a soap dish that drains, but realistically, I know most people just set it in the soap dish in the shower. The longer it sits, the longer it will last under those conditions. I give my kids really old soap! I keep a notebook of recipes and dates. If I've made the soap recipe more than once, I usually put a note to what color/scent/etc. was in it so I can keep track of what I've made.

I will self test soap about 3 or 4 weeks after it is made usually end pieces or the sample pieces I make when pouring a batch of soap. ( my batches are about 6 oz more then my mold will hold and I pour it into a silicone mini-loaf pan leaving me samples to give away or sell ) None of my soaps leave the house to testers or friends until 6 weeks of age and I rarely sell anything before it is a full 60 days old. Granted I tend to make soap like crazy for a month and then only play around between major production phases. I plan well ahead for sales and upcoming events. In fact I am making the soap for the summer sales June, July, August ) this month.

To keep track of the age of my soaps my drying racks have a little tag of them to show the date the soap on that rack was made. Anything that has come off the rack is at least 60 days old before it is boxed. My storage boxes are dated with the month I made the soaps stored in them so my Feb 2010 soaps will get sold after the September 2009 batches.

Thanks everyone for sharing! The information on this forum is invaluable.