I used to do it and it worked perfectly. I used 5 pounds of cubes and 5 pounds of fresh soap. Try using a water discount for the fresh batch and the fresh soap will be hard the next day. I use a water:lye ratio of 1.15:1 and it comes out beautifully.
Br Nicholas
If it produces the color you want I don't see any need to add anything additional for color. I would try a small batch first to see if it is a color I like.
Br Nicholas
I don't know that there is much difference but we put it in all our soaps because the ones with the shea butter were the ones that were selling the best by far. Now they all sell better.
Br Nicholas
It shouldn't mark the soap unless the soap is soft. I have industrial type wire racks like you might find in a hardware store and the wires are too far apart so I place plastic needlepoint canvases on top. It works just fine and set the soap on end so that I can fit more in. Guest soaps I lay...
Some people put a lot of importance on the temperatures but I don't think it makes much difference at all. I never take the temperature. I mix the lye and water and leave for about 15 minutes. Then I come back and melt and mix the oils and let it cool for another 15 minutes. Then I come back and...
I believe that these are all from natural sources however you may want to check them out further because just because something is natural doesn't mean that it is good for you. Arsenic is a natural substance. If you Google these items you will find a lot of information and if you have allergies...
I think most people start out at 2:1 or 33% and when they are comfortable with that move on to a little less water. The less water you use the harder the finished bar is quicker and it shrinks less. It is the evaporation of the water that causes shrinkage. Also, the less water you use the faster...
If your soap is very good and you make the decision to go into business with it, even if it is a hobby now, they won't mind paying full price for it. Don't worry about hurting their feelings because there are many who will pay if they don't. But you need to let them know it is a serious venture...
I believe they are talking about lye concentration on the Soapcalc form. Using less water is a higher concentration. A lye concentration of 40% would be a ratio of 1.5:1. Soapcalc will give you a warning message when you print out the recipe but just ignore it. Your soap will be warmer than...
2 lbs. for $8.00 is .25 per oz. and 16 oz. for 4.69 is .29 per oz. We just bought 32 lbs. of food grade sodium hydroxide from Essential Depot for $45.89 plus 23.15 for shipping. Total $69.04. 32 lbs. is 512 oz. Divide $69.04 by 512 and our cost is .13 per ounce including shipping. This comes in...
I usually mix my FO's and EO's with some of the warm oils from the pot and then whisk it back in at light trace. Do you think this helps? I always gell but I don't think the scent diminishes.
Br Nicholas
There is a supplier in Riverside, California, which might be better for you. It's called Cibaria Soap Supply and their web site is http://www.cibariasoapsupply.com/shop/index.php/. We used to order from them and their quality is very good. The shipping was high from California to Mississippi so...