Teach Soap

Howdy all!

Please excuse me if this question has already been addressed...I tried searching the forum but I guess it is too broad a topic that the search mode keeps asking for more info....

Anyhoo....In my soaping research, I always found soapers instructing to add additives such as milk, clays, oatmeal, etc at light trace (if not adding milk to lye already). However, I just came across some wonderful YouTube videos by Celine at Iamhandmade.com in which she is mixing her milk, oatmeal etc to the oils and then adding the lye/water solution.

I thought you had to wait for trace so that the lye and oil molecules would 'hook-up' without interference from the additives???

So does it really matter? What does everyone here do?

Thanks for any feedback

You can add milk to the lye, to the oils or at trace. If I want a milk only, no water soap, then I add the milk to the lye.

If I'm working with ingredients that accelerate trace already, I add oatmeal or clays at light trace since they can add to the acceleration.


Honestly, just find what works easiest for you.

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Genny

Celine is an expert at this. Do what works for you.

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

I always add mine to the oils before the lye solution. Just like Celine, I beat the beejibbers out of them oil and additives to make sure they are super well mixed in.

She is a member here too, she pops up every once in a while!

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~~Heather~~
Mad [soaping] Scientist

I add mine to the oils and such and add the lye as the last item. If I'm wanting to work with a thin batter, this is the best way. And that way i'm sure everything is fully blended in without affecting trace at all.

But do what ever makes you feel comfortable for now.

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The Soapinatrix! *whip-crack*
- Posting the trials and tribulations of my Soaping Journey!