Recent content by MickeyRat

I've used a fragrance that causes this. I'm not sure where I got it now but, I do know the vendor actually noted it could happen in CP soap.

I do make pine tar soap on occasion. I never attempted to make my pine tar from scratch though. DeeAnna has a web page that describes how to make it and it's what I do. I've never noticed a change in scent.

I would never ever give up lard. I use it in almost every batch. I also use 5% soy. If I were you, I'd look closer at why you're getting DOS. Is it in contact with metal during the cure or something like that?

I use soy wax a lot but, I never thought of it as a remedy for DOS or rancidty. Now I'm curious.

There are a LOT of overconfident old timers on here that think that safety gear is for wimps. It's a gamble you can only lose. My rules for safety. Good eye protection. Gloves No long sleeves long pants or closed toed shoes (flops are preferred). They provide very little protection and hold...

Another vote for lard. I think I've only made 2 batches of soap without lard. One was to see how castille soap would turn out. I cheated and added 5% castor to the olive oil so it was almost castille. :) It made a very nice white bar. The other was my first attempt at shaving soap.

Oh do I remember doing things like that. If you're a hobbyist like me, it'll pass. The first few batches, I had to test slivers the minute I got them out of the mold to make sure they were really soap. Here's what's going to happen, Unless you're making REALLY small batches or you have a...

Well you didn't do it the right way. Neither did I the first time. However, we apparently have similar personalities. I wanted to know how the zap felt early on too. Here's what I did the first time. I had read to leave the greasy goop on bowls and utensils for a few days to let it turn...

I've been using Walmart GV shortening for some time. Whenever I got low, I just bought more. I hadn't checked the ingredients in ages. So, I went and checked. All that I have on hand is the soy bean variety. I don't know when I started but, I've been using it with my recipes without knowing...

Good job! I can see the gang is being just as argumentative as usual. :) You might want to mention that like barbecue there are a lot of opinions on how to make soap best. I think it's okay to use pyrex for soap making. It's not okay to use for storing lye. You don't mention that you should...

I use lard all the time. I wouldn't say it slows to trace. It does seem to give you a bit more time to work with it after trace has been achieved. For me that's a good thing because I also use soy wax and I soap at around 120 degrees F.

I have to confess that I have skin that is impervious to almost anything. Though I did have a nasty experience with lye once. Back in the day I had my hands in gasoline for about an hour cleaning a carburetor with a toothbrush with no ill affects. I have to go by what the calculators say or...

Well since my wife has decided she's sensitive to lavender, so far, I'm going with lemon grass and cedar. I'm in a podunk town so I have to order things like this. I've received the cedar. The lemon grass hasn't made it yet. When it does, I'll give it a shot. I'll come back a let you know...

I just tried lining with parchment paper. The outside wasn't smooth but, the very fine "wrinkles" if that's what you want to call them went around the circumference, they weren't linear along the length. I'm still trying to find the best way with PVC.

I've seen several posts where people question putting borax in soap. If you're old enough, you might remember Boraxo hand cleaner. That was mostly borax. I've been experimenting with a mechanics soap with finely ground coffee grounds and borax. It works well.