Recent content by Feelin' Soapy

Here's an update on my experience with embeds: Even though it's quicker and easier, I won't be using M&P for embeds in my CP soap anymore. As the soap ages and cures, it shrinks. The embeds don't, so they end up feeling like a lump in the soap. CP embeds take more time but are definitely...

If you were aiming for Northern Lights, you nailed it! Definitely prize-worthy!

Those are beautiful, @Vicki C ! I'm guessing you used neons to get those striking colors?

@katili That's beautiful! I love the color combo and the texturing you got. Can you tell me about how much soap batter you would need to dip 10 bars or so?

Has anyone tried this? I've been looking at some videos and the results are interesting and beautiful. Sadly the design would be gone after the soap is used for a while since it's only on the surface, but lovely while it lasts.

Just something odd about different SBs: I replaced my old Chefman SB with a Braun. The Braun has a very shallow bell, and I'm finding it blends much slower than my old one that had a deep bell. Less risk of over-blending.

I'm very confident about the quality of my lye. And previous posters in this thread say it takes 4 to 8 hours for their SS on cavity molds as well. It's just one of those things, and I'm fine with giving it the time it needs.

@Kiti Williams That is a mystery indeed! Mine harden in under 2 hours in the loaf mold, but not the individual cavities.

Thank you @DeeAnna for the detailed explanation! It makes total sense. I just wish I'd figured that out before making that batch at 6pm and having to stay up late to unmold and cut each bar in half 🥱 There's always more to learn and unexpected surprises no matter how many years I've done this...

So my new cavity molds arrived and I made a batch yesterday. 40% lye concentration, soaped at about 90F. All went well with only one surprise: it took about 6 hours to unmold! Can anyone (@DeeAnna ? @AliOop ?) explain why this same recipe in a loaf mold unmolds in about 2 hours and becomes...

@AliOop Thank you again! Will give this a try when the molds arrive 😊

Cavity molds are a great idea for this. I just ordered some :) @AliOop Does your other sage advice still hold for cavity molds? 28-30% lye concentration? Cool with fan blowing?

I agree! Cleanup after anything with beeswax is a pain! When I'm done, I put my spatulas into my bowl (measuring cups actually), add a little Dawn, and then pour the very hot water from my double boiler into the cups. I let it sit for 5 or 10 minutes, and then wipe it out with a paper...

Thank you, thank you, for so much helpful info on this! I will definitely cut the lye concentration way back and try your cooling method instead of the frig. I began putting it in the frig after one batch cracked and bulged from internal heat. I usually soap stain sticks at about 90, but I...

Zap test was fine, not lye heavy (just tastes yucky!) It can't be colorant because I colored the batch before adding the lye. I suspect it's likely fragrance because it was so thick and hard to mix. No more heroic measures for these soaps. It's only 4 bars of mostly free and questionable...