Recent content by AndreaMakesSoap

Don't go into soap-making too willy-nilly. There is a lot to know, especially involving lye and safety. With that said, you could make a really good bar of soap optimized for your dog. Here's a YouTube video for starters: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rN62bLJ8tyo Google "essential oils for...

I typically cut my soap 1 or 2 days after making it. I gel my soap, and use some sodium lactate to help harden it (1 ounce in a 2 1/2 pound batch). If you're making a nice, hard soap (which it sounds like you are), it will fracture and sliver as you cut it if you wait too long before cutting...

A good example of the "Celine Swirl" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CepZH1ZWmg Good luck!

I tend to mix my TD with a bit of water, but I try to do it before I even make my lye solution. The longer it sits to 'absorb' the water, and the more you beat it, the better it turns out. I haven't had a problem with it recently.

I think listing all ingredients is the responsible thing to do. My recipe generally stays about the same, with small variances in the batches. I print my labels on my printer at home, so I just copy and paste the ingredient list and modify it according to the differences in the batches. It's...

I got powdered silk from http://www.newdirectionsaromatics.ca/ It works great, and it helps cause your bars to harden quicker! (From what I've noticed, anyway :))

Interesting, I've had this thought before too but haven't looked into it. From what I've been reading, curing does a couple of things: 1. It allows for evaporation and makes your bar harder which will last longer 2. The soap further saponifies, making a milder bar. SO... If you use a water...

I use about 50-60% liquid oils, and my trace is reached fairly quickly. I can see why yours does with so high a percentage of hard oils/butters. Rather than reaching trace, try just emulsifying the oils/lye water so it's still very "watery" before you separate the batter to color it. You have...

I've only done one batch of cupcakes, and the only problem I had was pouring them at too thick of a trace. Keep it very liquid so the tops stay flat at the top. I'm glad you posted this - next time I'll do it in 2 stages so I don't have to stress about getting it all done quickly!

Why wasn't this thread around when I first started soaping!? Haha, the last time I made soap I added some vinegar to the sink of hot soapy water and washed everything up. The vinegar really helped!

Rather than trying to make a liquid soap out of a solid soap, why not try making a liquid soap? To be honest I'm still new, but I have looked into it, and intend to make my own. Here's an awesome video on how to make a liquid castile soap...

Yes, this is the Olive Oil I use as well, and really like it. It's "Pure" Olive Oil, rather than Virgin/Extra Virgin/Pomace. I also use 50 - 60% liquid oils, 30-40% hard oils, 5% Castor and usually 5% of a butter. I find 1-2 minutes (as you mentioned) with the stick blender is way too long. I...

Re: Gelled soap - help please I've done a bit of learning from my mistakes as well! Another tip is to use Sodium Lactate at 3% (I use 1 ounce in a 2lb batch) which really helps harden the soap. It's usually ready for me to unmold and cut the log the next day.

Walt - thanks so much for posting an update! I'm glad to hear it worked, and I will continue using it as well. BTW: I tried a coating of olive oil because I didn't have any mineral oil, and I don't think it helped much. I'll have to invest in some mineral oil.

I've CP'd with NDA's Pumpkin Delight, and it's wonderful. Nice and spicy, smells great!