Teach Soap

First, I would like to introduce myself. My name is Brandy and I've been making soap for several years. My grandma taught me, and other than not using lard anymore, I've followed her advice.

Last week I decided I would try my hand at wine soap. I'm a wine instructor by trade, so I figured using some wine that was no longer fit to drink would be perfect. Rather use it than dump it.

Well, I had the lye volcano! I thought I poured the lye slowly enough, and then realized it was going to happen, and it did. I got it all cleaned up, re-measured and it appeared as though I lost 6 ounces. So I simply discounted my oils by 2 ounces each. (olive, coconut and palm) and continued.

Here's my question. The soap is out of the mold and didn't zap. Do you think it's safe to use? I used 32 oz. Olive oil and 16 ox of coconut and palm, this combined with 18 oz of wine, 4 oz water, and 9 oz lye. The lye + wine/water measurement is prior to the volcano.

Any thoughts are welcome, and I thank you all in advance. At this point, I think I may just stick with my "tried and true" and not mess around with the wine again.

Oh, I did simmer the wine and reduce it by 1/2 first.

Thank you all,
Brandy

I would recalculate your recipe and see where you're at superfat wise. It "might" be ok. When I use wine, I boil off the alcohol and make sure that it's very cold. I dissolve the lye in minimum water required, then add the wine as the rest of the liquid when the lye water cools off.

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

Ah-Ha!!! Somehow, I knew you would have an answer Soapbuddy, thank you! I added the wine/water mix together and then added my lye to the whole thing. My superfat was at 5%. I should have known to add the lye to the water and then add the wine, but alas, I didn't realize this until now.
I did boil down (reduce) the wine to about 50% of its original amount so I was sure there shouldn't have been a problem there, and yet, volcano.

I know in the future, and thank you again Soapbuddy. You seem to have an answer to every single question here.

Long time reader, first time poster

Brandy

You're welcome Brandy and better luck next time.

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

Try freezing the wine in ice cube trays the night before. I do this when making goat milk soap
SweetP

Thanks SweetP, I too have done that with milk soaps. I just don't understand how it would affect wine soap. My wine was cold, really cold. I knew that the volcano could happen, I just don't understand *why* it happens with wine and beer.

Oh well, soap is cut and curing and we'll see how it works out. I'll keep you all posted.

Oh, and Soapbuddy, thanks for the encouraging words. I love reading your advice! I've made soap for a long time, but honestly, I stick with the couple of recipes my grandma taught me. Reading about the cool stuff you ladies (and gents) are doing inspires me to blow up my kitchen! Well, at least have a lye volcano in my kitchen.

Thanks again ladies,

Brandy

You're welcome Brandy. Soapmaking has come a long way from my mom's & grandma's time. They both made soap as well.

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