Teach Soap

This is my first time making soap. I got an idea to make some pretty bath baskets for my lady friends and family this Xmas. I put lots of other handmade bath stuff in there but I'm having trouble with the soap.

I purchased M&P glycerin soap from Bulk Barn along with some essential oils, dried herbs and food coloring from an all natural store.

The first 2 batches (8 bars total) went fine. They were simple oatmeal bars with ground oatmeal and a few drops of lavender oil added. After that, every time I begin adding stuff (dried lavender and chamomile, herbal tea, lavender EO and red food coloring) to the soap once it's melted it goes cloudy and thick and will not pour nicely. I tried adding the ingredients in different order to see what is the cause, but have no clue. I tried different heating methods (double boiler and microwave) and I tried reheating (or continuing to heat) while adding my ingredients and all get the same result. I have wasted about 3 POUNDS of soap and am about to blow my Xmas budget. I need help!
Thanks,
Sarah

I'm not familiar with this store, but it sounds like it's for people that make things as a hobby. If so, store bought base is not that good of a quality and will give you problems. Adding things to MP base and having them stay suspended is tricky. It is not a good idea to keep reheating the soap base, as it looses moisture and becomes harder to work with. You cannot continue to heat up the base. MP is not forgiving this way. If you still need something for the baskets, I would suggest making some nice bath salts.

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

i agree with soapbuddy.

keep an eye on how much you heat the base. it could be that you've heated it too much. try to keep it at 120 degrees. if you have a thermometer, that would be of great use here.

also, it could be what you’re putting into your soap. some fragrances will cloud your soap. if this is the case, continue to stir, you will notice the cloudiness dissipate.

but def keep the temps down on the soap.

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~Shell