Teach Soap

Hi, I am planning on making my very first batch of cold process soap this weekend and I would love to hear any tips and do's and dont's from more experienced soap makers. A few questions I already have are, where do I buy the lye and what is a safe way to color my soap? I am assuming using food coloring would tint the skin as you use he soap to wash. Am I right? I am so looking forward to making my own soap!

Welcome!
Check your local hardware store for lye. They often have Rooto brand (used to clear drains).

Do's:
Read through the CP section of of this forum including the thread on lye safety and tips for new soapers
Start with a small batch of no more than 2 pounds. (If something goes wrong, you won't have wasted a bunch of supplies)
Run your recipe through a lye calculator (books and online recipes can have typos)
Make an uncolored, unscented batch to get a feel for the process before adding things that can cause problems
Have everything ready before you start your batch
Wear safety glasses and gloves
Always add lye to the water
Ask lots of questions
Post picture of your finished soap (we love soap porn!)
Have FUN!

Don'ts:
Panic
Add the water to the lye (always add the lye to the water!)
Breathe in lye fumes
Feel like you're asking too many questions (we like questions)

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

Welcome! I would start by reading this sticky.

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

Welcome to the forum and I am with the others. Read. Read. And then read some more! It's really the best thing you can do. Feel free to ask questions about what you read.

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Lisa
“What soap is to the body, laughter is to the soul” ~ Yiddish proverb

Welcome to the forum! Not to be boring, but I agree the best you can do is read up on soapmaking. There is lots of information on this forum and you can ask questions if something doesn't make sense.

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Linda

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

Thank you guys so much!! I have been reading so much about it! I'm not even sure how I decided to start making soap I just sort of thought it would be a good gift for teachers, coaches, cross guards, and work friends. Then I started reading about it and discovered this whole world of soapmakers out there and really started getting excited! I'm making my first batch tonight once the kids go to bed and I will post pictures. Good or bad they will be up!

We have her now, folks! Yes, come to the soapy side! We have salts! ...and colorants, and clays, and butters, and......

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Lisa
“What soap is to the body, laughter is to the soul” ~ Yiddish proverb

A quick update- SO, last Friday I went out and bought everything I needed for soap. EXCEPT lye, I was told any hardware store or Lowe's would have it but that turned out to not be true. So no soap has been made here yet, I'm waiting for my lye to be delivered to my door.

_________________
Lisa
“What soap is to the body, laughter is to the soul” ~ Yiddish proverb

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

_________________
Lisa
“What soap is to the body, laughter is to the soul” ~ Yiddish proverb

_________________
Linda

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

Guess who made soap tonight? ME!! Now I guess I have to wait 3 weeks to know if its done. Right?

Most of us wait 4-6 weeks to use a soap. Its the hardest part of soaping!!!

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~~Heather~~
Mad [soaping] Scientist

It worked! My first time making soap and it turned out to be, well, soap! It looks like a big bar of white chocolate. no scent or color. So now I'm ready to play around with scent and color. SO exciting!