Teach Soap

I think I finally understand this but could someone clarify the process of superfatting for me please? I think I have been doing it wrong!

If I calculate in a 5% lye discount then does that mean that the superfatted oil in already in? I have been discounting the lye and then adding some jojoba or some other oil at trace. But now I am thinking I shouldn't be adding anymore since by discounting I now have more oil than will saponify with the amount of lye I put in.

I just had a batch of soap that I recently made start to discolor, almost like it is going rancid, scent is gone and it smells kind of like old oil. All my oils are under 2 months - so I started thinking about what and how I made it and this is all I can come up with.

Thanks!!

You should be figuring your SF with the total of all the oils in your recipe, including the jojoba. Adding an oil at the end really isn't doing anything for your soap. As many soapers will tell you, the lye takes what it wants, no matter when you add it. Assuming that you are getting additional benefits or qualities by adding jojoba at the end isn't accurate or safe. I hate to see/hear someone say that their soap is "superfatted with X oil," because that just isn't quite truthful. No offense meant to you of course.

Here's a great post from Amanda at Lovin Soap blog on superfatting:

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Laura<3

Thanks so much! No offense taken, I was thinking I was wrong in adding and you just confirmed. No more adding oils at trace if I discount my lye!

Lye is still very active at trace. There is no guarantee that what oil you add at trace will become your superfat. Add all your oils and butters at once.

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

If you HP then you can be sure your SF oils will be just those oils when added after the cook.

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~Kelly~