Teach Soap

Try pouring slowly over a spoon. That should take care of some of the bubbles besides alcohol.

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

When your mixing the color,fragrance,etc. don't mix it too fast because that creates alot of bubbles.

Also, just wondering if it's possible that your base got too hot? I have accidentally boiled my base before (usually when I'm trying to melt a tiny bit, like an ounce or two, and I overestimate how long it takes to melt) and gotten a bunch of tiny little bubbles that won't go away. Maybe your base got scorched?

I use a microwave to heat my base in short 30-second bursts. Usually, when I take it out, it's somewhere around, I dunno, maybe 140 degrees? There's usually a chunk or two of unmelted soap in there, too, and I either stir it away or let it melt on its own in the hot base. That way, my base doesn't get super-hot, and the chunks help it cool down faster.

And you can use whatever color you want in the background for your plaid soap - it's up to you! Have fun!

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- Jenny -
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Thanks for responding. I don't own a microwave (weird I know) so I do it in two pots (a double boiler) and it gets to about 165. I let it cool to about 125 before I use it. Even at that hot, I have to stir to get everything melted. Even though I cut it in to chunks it takes a lot of hot soap and stirring to get them to melt. But maybe thats the probem.

Can anyone tell me how hot is too hot? Will that cause bubbles that won't go away? And my second attempt got a little cloudy after it started to cool.

Does MP have to cure like Cold Process? When should I package them up? right away?

About how long should I expect them to last. Most CP's have about a year experation date, is that the same for MP? I want to be able to properly inform my customers and know how long I can store them to possibley re-sell holiday soaps next year. Thanks!!!

MP is ready to use as soon as it has cooled off. If your clear soap got cloudy after it has cooled off, it was either melted at too high a temp, or the fragrance that was used discolored it. I use up my MP within a year. Just as long as the fragrance or the color hasn't faded, it's ok to use.

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

What about packaging? Should I wrap it up right away?

How soon can it be used? Does it need to cure?

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

I'm still getting a ridiculous amont of bubbles! Ugh! I'm not even stirring. I'm using the double boiler method since I don't have a microwave. The temp gets to about 150 on low. Is that too hot? What is a recomended temp? I've been googling it and have not found much mention about temps.

Thanks for any insight.

Ok, so I think the bubbles are coming from my squirt bottle. Now I have another question. I just watched a video from SoapQueen and she said to try to have your soap at about 135 when embedding a piece of MP. So how do you let it cool down to 135 with out solidifying/hardening?

You just let it set for a bit...I am at a point where I can usually feel the side of my glass measuring cup, or dip my pinkie tip into check for temp...you may just want to get a cheap candy thermometer for accurate temps.

I made the mistake of pouring too hot just the other day and mucked up my embeds.

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Robin

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Soaper from Melbourne Australia
Founding member of Melt & Pour Soap Crafters ... find us on Facebook - we'd love to see you!

Instead of a squirt bottle, you might have better luck with a fine mist sprayer.

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

I agree - I think using a squirt bottle it just compounding your problems!! The intention is that the alcohol mists over the top of your soap, breaking the surface tension which allows the bubbles to POP! Then it evaporates

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Soaper from Melbourne Australia
Founding member of Melt & Pour Soap Crafters ... find us on Facebook - we'd love to see you!

I use a squirt bottle with mine, but I use one that I bought in the hair care area. It has a mist setting on the bottle, making it a bit easier It was a disaster when I used a bottle meant for cleaning supplies.