Teach Soap

Definitely overheated! As long as it doesn't zap, you can try rebatching it, but I've never had much luck when it looked like that.

You other soap looks perfect!

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

Ah, bummer. Overheating is one of the things that rebatching doesn't cure, huh? Was this user error in some way, or just an unfortunate side-effect of that FO? (Trying to learn from mistakes. )

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

Ok, so if I use this FO again, I should start when the soap is cooler, maybe use less FO, and take off the insulation right away.

I just finished putting it back in the mold after oven rebatching. It looks nice and smooth (well, as smooth as rebatch can look I suppose), so we'll see what happens! I ended up adding a bit of water and a little bit of olive oil to replace the oils that oozed out and the oils that soaked into the paper overnight.

Thanks ever SO much for your help. It is wonderful to have experienced soapers willing to help a newbie!

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

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

It's probably a little soft due to the extra water and oil. Rebatched soap should have lather. Are you sure the liquid that oozed out was the FO, not lye?

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

I tested it (the oil) for zap, and it didn't taste good but it didn't zap me, either. I don't know if I would say I know *anything* about soapmaking for certain yet, though. Learning as I go. I am going to test a bigger piece for lather--I just used the residue on my hands after cutting.

*cue elevator music*

Ok, I tore off a piece of a bar, and got nice thick creamy lather. Small bubbles, but nice lather. Leaves hands feeling moisturized.

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

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

Thanks! I am very happy. I think I am going to try maybe one different recipe and brave a different FO next time, hopefully it will go more smoothly! I think I'll wait a month or two to soap again, though, to stagger the cure dates a little.

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

Well, I already knit and quilt and have healthy stashes of yarn and fabric...let's just say my husband might blow a gasket if I blow through the soap supplies I said would last a year too quickly. I really am going to have to make this NOT a hobby.

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