Teach Soap

Hi TS Forum
If you wouldn’t mind sharing an approximation of how much your preferred batch of soap cost per pound to make? Without anything special~ like scent or color.

Thanxx!

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~Alyssa
We ascribe beauty to that which is simple; which has no superfluous parts; which exactly answers its end; which stands related to all things; which is the mean of many extremes. -Ralph Waldo Emerson

I have not decided on a 'prefered' formula but do keep some cost records of what my soaps run per oz.

I do believe it is the cost of the fragrance that can bump the cost factor up the most. The most expensive oil I use is babassu and I have not decided yet if it is worth it. Using lye helps to offset this and I like the quality from it.
Also to factor in is that most of my batches are 47 - 48 oz total, since I do not sell. I am sure if someone ordered larger quanities for larger batches they could cut the cost per oz.
And these figures do not account for my time, energy to run the microwave, cost of molds etc.
So for now my costs run from 0.20 \oz to 0.40 \oz.

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

For me, it is usually the essential oils that I use in my soaps. that drives the cost up. I love to do essential oil blends and that can get expensive.
A recipe that I like includes palm, Castor, olive and coconut oils. Plug these into SoapCalc with the percentages you prefer and then do the math.

My basic unscented lard soap recipe costs me right at .25/oz to make. But then I have to add in the cost of an FO/EO; colorant, packaging, insurance, etc. which just about doubles the cost/oz. And, of course, oil & shipping costs are increasing, so next month it will probably cost more to make the same recipe.

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Linda
I know the voices in my head aren't real, but they sure have some great ideas!

Here is a cost calculator to make it a bit easier for you, Just put in each ingredient and then the price you paid for it, and when you have all info in, hit calculate and it will tell you exactly how much each ounce costs, (or any other unit of measure you choose, even down to the drop). Add all the ounces up and you will have exactly what your materials cost per ounce. Then add in your wages and overhead and you will have total cost. http://www.saratogascents.com/cost_calculator.html

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

Tammy

Wow!!! I am jealous!! Up here in Canada, everything costs more - lots more!!

My unscented CP soaps, even buying ingredients in bulk, are all more expensive that the others quoted, and yet - the price"the market will bear" is still the same - around 5 bucks for a 5-6 oz bar.

I’m asking not because i don’t know how to figure it, i'm just curious what the average soapmaker spends.

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~Alyssa
We ascribe beauty to that which is simple; which has no superfluous parts; which exactly answers its end; which stands related to all things; which is the mean of many extremes. -Ralph Waldo Emerson

My basic soap base recipes all run around $.25/oz (one with coffee butter was $.33/oz), but I've been buying base oils by the gallon-bottle; I imagine (...hope...) if I shift up to larger containers, the price may drop a wee bit.

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CP newbie who's turning into a soaping addict!