Teach Soap

My question is...When soaping with a EO, that I know will make my soap go to trace to fast.
Is it better to mix cold or warm?
So that it does not turn to pudding while pouring?

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Theresa

It seems to work best when you soap 100*F -110*F. When a fo/eo misbehaves, I soap it on the cooler end of that range. On the other hand, soaping slow tracing soap at slightly higher temps helps move it along. For your fast moving eo, you can also try mixing it with a bit of your oil first and whisking not SB'ing it in at the end. And of course, you should post pics of your soap!

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Linda

I learn so much when I can't leave well enough alone!

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Theresa

Theresa break that habit or you are going to have issues when you come across a fast moving fo or eo. I used to mix fo with oils until i had to scoop soap out of my mixing bucket.

I soap fast moving scents at 100 degrees and have done so with oils at 100 and lye between 95 and 100. It gives you more time and slows trace some.

My most basic soap recipe is the one my family likes best too. I keep trying and adding other things like silk, Goat's milk, fancier oils, etc., but the simple shea recipe is the biggest hit for me so far. That's good for me because I have zero intention of ever selling so the investment factor is lower with the simple stuff. Although it's so much fun I keep buying stuff just so I can play with it whether or not my family likes it! I just don't have the time to invest in making any sort of business of this, I just enjoy having a new craft to enjoy after the kids finally go to sleep. And really what girl doesn't want an excuse to lock the bathroom door and soak in the tub. If it was a business it wouldn't feel as indulgent to play with.

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Theresa

Awesome. You can add the fo or eo last too...glad it helped.

Hmm, maybe that came out wrong? I did not mean mix the scent with some oil and then mix it into the oils before adding your lye solution. For misbehaving fo's (my Mom thinks it's funny when I say a scent misbehaves!) I mix some of the oils into the scent. Soap at around 100*F then add the scent slurry into the soap batter after everything else (last minute). Hope you are having better luck now!

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Linda

I learn so much when I can't leave well enough alone!

I add the scent to my cooled off oils and use a whisk if I know the fragrance is a mover. If you add the scent at trace, there is a chance then not all of the fragrance will get incorporated. Undiluted fragrance can be irritating. I soap by the feel of my hand. I'd say it's around 110 degrees.

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

Doesn't that make it hard to do anything like ITP swirls or even layers? I divide up the soap batter into portions for coloring. Then I divide the fo up between the colored portions. I only add fo to the portion I'm working with and whisk it in. If I'm swirling or something, I divide it up between the colored portions and whisk them all in before doing the swirl or whatever.

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Linda

I learn so much when I can't leave well enough alone!

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

This is one of those "Doh why didn't I think of that?" moments. I've always just used the same batter and divided it up because I was afraid the layers wouldn't stick together. I have this combo of 2 fast movers that I barely manage to swirl IF I make it in small batches. Now I want to try layering it your way! It's one of those scent combos that's a pain so you don't want to bother but people want it.

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Linda

I learn so much when I can't leave well enough alone!

Linda I am with you I always split my batter to. Now I must try soapbuddy's way.