Teach Soap

Ok, I'm getting ready to take the plunge and make my first batch of cold process soap. I hope this is'nt a stupid question but here it goes< if you have say a 4 or 5 lb wooden loaf, how do you know how much oils and butters to put in with your lye mixture to fill the loaf? I know there is a lye calculator, but I'm not to familiar with it.

No stupid questions, only stupid mistakes! here is the calculator http://www.soapcalc.net/calc/SoapCalcWP.asp You can input the total weight of your oils (wanted) and then input your recipe in percentages, and it will give you the exact amount of each oil to use. It looks a bit confusing, imho, to begin with, but it is really very easy. Put in the discount percentage you want and it will tell you the amount of lye to use too. Make sure that you click on the button at the bottom after you are finished, and it will give you one more page and you can print that one, it has all of the info written out nicely!

Good luck and happy soaping

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Remember, it's not just that we weather the storm, but how we dance in the rain.

Tammy

How many lbs of oil/butters are too much? Say could I use 2 lbs of oils? Would the soap turn out right?

the amount of oils you use will depend upon the molds that you have. You have to either fit all the oils into your mold or have more than one mold to fill. So if you have one two pound mold and don't want any extra for another mold, then I would make a bit less than 2 pounds because I dont like to fill to the top. Plus, I have had 2 pound molds that did not really hold two pounds (and I didnt do the math first), so that depends upon your mold maker. You can use the formula to figure the exact amount your mold will hold. It is; the length of the mold x the width of the mold x height of the soap you want to make x .40 and that will give you the exact amount of oils needed to fill your mold. Most mold producers list the dimensions of the molds, but you can measure yourself if you are using a non-traditional mold.


edited to say that; I think most people fill the molds to the top, I typically have gone a bit under, but that is a personal preference. 2 lb molds are for 2lbs. if they are made right

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Remember, it's not just that we weather the storm, but how we dance in the rain.

Tammy

Thats alot of soap for your first batch. Are you able to find something that would accomadate a smaller amount? I used a cleaned milk carton for one of my first batches. Soapbuddy also talks about the small gaget containers available in office supply areas. I also have used the container from arm and hammer dryer sheets, it holds 22 oz, so approx 1.25 # of soap. It cannot tolerate the heat from the oven, so use it only for nongelled batches. If I use 2# of oils I am getting approx 47 oz of soap. I have also saved the small cups from applesauce (pudding also has these) and use for any extras soap I scrape from the bowl. You could quarter them and use as samples or use just for yourself. If you need any help with soap calc let us know.

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Susie
Sometimes A Mistake is so much fun, You just have to do it again!

Bramble Berry has the exact same calculator that does percentages as well and in my opinion, is easier to use: http://www.brambleberry.com/Pages/Lye-Calculator.aspx

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Happy Soaping!

Anne-Marie
blog: www.soap-queen.blogspot.com
supplies: www.brambleberry.com

I agree with AM, the BB is the easiest soap calculator to use, especially with the new precentage function.

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ASH

Sorry, I should have referred you to BB first! I wasn't thinking straight , clearly! And, if you have a mold, or can find one, that is smaller, I also agree with the others about using it for your first few batches.

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Remember, it's not just that we weather the storm, but how we dance in the rain.

Tammy

Thanks everyone!

I used the BB calculator for my first batches of soap and eventually started making my own recipes...it is very simple and user friendly!!

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Melissa