2 questions about rebatching

[candice19]

Is rebatching "base" just regular cold process soap?

Also, would you recommending selling a line of ONLY rebatched soap (versus cold process)? I ask because I can't actually handle lye in my living situation, but can handle rebatching.

Thanks!

 

[sbp]

Hi candice19 --
Yes, rebatching base is cold process soap.

As for selling only rebatched or hand-milled soap, it would probably work. Hand milling/rebatching is a labor intensive process, but useful because you can use additional fragrances/colors/and oils that will not be affected by the lye in the sapoification process. I have handmilled/rebatched many times, and I do it when I have to :wink: but prefer not to. Also, the cure process is lengthened with the additional oils and water. Having said that, the handmilled soaps I have made have been nice soaps -- a bit rustic in appearance, but nice to use.
Hope that is helpful....Susan

 

[candice19]

Susan, thanks for the help!

With that information, I have new questions lol

Can I call rebatch soap "cold process soap" or is it "rebatch soap" or something else?

Would I have to wait for the cold process soap to cure for X weeks before I can use it?
Would I have to wait another X weeks for the rebatch to cure as well (because I thought it was somewhere between days to one week)?

Thank you!

 

[opalgirl]

Why don't you call it "hand milled soap"? It seems like I can use rebatched soap quicker than CP soap. Blanking out at the moment.

 

[candice19]

Didn't occur to me to call it that lol

I'm just not sure how rebatching will change the CP soap - properties of the soap, how fast it "melts," etc. Does it?

 

[sbp]

Rebatched, also called hand-milled soap is cold process soap. If you are buying rebatch base, it is already cured. So you would just add whatever additives you want to it. When I have rebatched, there was a 'cure' time (length of time depends on how much extra liquid and oils you use) but mainly, mine took a couple of weeks to harden. There is a wonerful book by Marie Browning called "Beautiful Handmade Natural Soaps" that is a wonderful guide to rebatching/hand milling with some nice recipe ideas.

There are also some good online tutorials about rebatching. This is a good one http://soap-queen.blogspot.com/2009/02/rebatch-soap-plastic-baggie-technique.html and Millers Soap had a good one too. If you google rebatching soap you will find tons of info...

Susan
ps, and I would call it hand milled also :wink:

 

[candice19]

Thanks so much for the link! I also stumbled upon a video about rebatching that was actually really helpful. I'm just am not sure if I'm ready to wait so long for a cure! lol

Do you think that rebatching a CP soap will change it's qualities at all?