Teach Soap

I am 17 and I'm new to soapmaking I haven't even made my first batch yet but I'm reading all I can and making a list of things I have to buy. In the future I would like to sell the soap I make online because I can't get a job.

I was looking at soap molds and the ones that made the most sense for semi commercial production were the wooden ones that look like they have dividers from a box of beer. I found them for sale online but they are expensive and I don't have much money, but I'm really good at building and fixing stuff I know I can build one, but before I start I'm gonna make batch of soap. I'd appreciate any tips can I build it out of regular plywood? Can I spray a permanent coating on the inside to line it or do I have to use wax paper? What's the standard bar weight?

I want to make my own lye and I'd like to start with a tallow recipie I strive to be self sufficient. I am already saving mesquite ashes I sifted through a fine screen to get rid of chunks and in about a week I'll get alot of palm ashes. I'm looking for recipies that use homemade lye but any suggestions would be great especially about the lye making process I've read alot about it and I've watched a couple videos.

Welcome!
Homemade lye is very iffy. There is no accurate way you can test for strength unless you titrate each and every batch. That's beyond most of us that make soap for sale at home. My grandmother made soap with homemade ash solution and sometimes the soap came out lye heavy. If you are planning to sell, I strongly suggest that you purchase commercial lye.
You might also want to read this thread> viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3800

For right now, I would concentrate on getting a soap formula down before you think about getting any semi commercial molds made. Start simple and small. That way you won't waste your ingredients. There are some recipes here in the forum. Search for them or take a look at Kathy Miller soap web site. http://www.millersoap.com/

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

Ok what site do you recommend to buy the lye? I've read posts about how hard it is to get because of all the meth people. I ran into the same problem when I tried to buy cough medicine.

Bramble Berry sells lye in 2lb containers in a flake form. I like it well enough.

I bought the majority of my lye online from Essential Depot. They have pretty good prices and I use the food grade. I'm not sure if they actually sell the tech grade anymore or not. I can buy a few bulk oils from them as well. Since they are in Florida, its faster shipping to me from ED instead of BB. Just be aware that the ED lye is in small pellet form, not flakes, so it is more prone to static cling and jumping around.

If you have hardware stores around you, like Ace or Lowe's, you can look there for 100% lye. It will most likely be in the plumbing section as a drain cleaner, but you have to be sure it says 100% lye. Sometimes you will have to find a clerk and ask them specifically though. I could have bought Rooto 100% lye at my Ace, but due to the fact I live in a tourist area, it was $15 for one pound. Other people find it for $5 a pound.

Depending where you live, I would try BrambleBerry, AAA Chemicals or The Lye Guy online.

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

They are out of technical grade sodium hydroxide. When I get home I'll try to contact them it's impossible on my phone, can I use technical grade for soap? Its alot cheaper.

I use technical grade or food grade; whichever one is cheaper.

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

You can use tech grade as long as it's 100% pure lye.

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

I buy my lye from Essential Depot. They have great prices, even with shipping costs.

http://www.essentialdepot.com/servlet/t ... Categories

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Katie White
the Duchess of Suds

http://royaltysoaps.weebly.com/
http://www.etsy.com/shop/RoyaltySoaps?ref=si_shop

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

Me 3! I just picked up 8lb for around $5.

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~~Heather~~
Mad [soaping] Scientist

Yep....Essential Depot here too . Much better quality lye than I was purchasing from the grocery store!

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Carrie
Wife to my Best Friend and Homeschool mom to 7 beautiful gifts

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Debbie