Recent content by Scotsoap

I used to use B&Q Sodium Hydroxide when it WAS 99% pure and it worked very well. Since they changed the branding to Diall it is not the same product at all ! I lost 3 batches before I realised that it was the Sodium Hydroxide to blame. Each time my soap went granular immediately like sugar...

Your mould will not affect your soap in that way. Was this a recipe you have previously used with good results or one you have made yourself ? You can make pine tar soap from any soap recipe. I think you were a bit hasty in throwing it away as it could have been saved. Tell us if you have...

Oh yes I would be interested ! :)

I had similar problems with a newly purchased scale .... I took it back to the store.

Thankyou Irishlass :)

Thanks Woodi :) Just what I wanted ... :)

Thank you for your reply Lovehound. Not quite what I meant as I am not a novice, I should have been more specific :) In the experience of our soapers is there a point you have gone beyond when adding Castor Oil that has resulted in a bar which is just too soft and doesnt harden ?

What would be considered the ideal percentage of castor oil in a CP/HP recipe. Is there point where it becomes too much and results in a too sticky bar ?

He should stay nice and crisp then :)

It should be fairly hard, it will not be as hard as the 'dripping'. But the consistency seems to be somewhat variable from batch to batch from the supermarket shelves. Sometimes it can have a softer feel to it and have a slightly translucent look to it, other times it is harder and whiter.

Yup, Thursday Plantation is essential oil, it's from Australia. It's good quality stuff but I would add a caveat on that one. I personally find Thursday Plantations oil a very 'strong' oil. You may have read that in aomatherpay there are only 2 oils that are said to be safe for topical...

I don't know where you are located in the world, but in the UK Dripping is beef fat and Lard is pork fat. Edited to add : Beef fat is what you would use when a recipe calls for 'tallow'

It's interesting to see the contrast between USA and European cosmetic regulations.

No need to throw the soap pot out. Just scrape as much of the material out as you can and fill the pot with hot water for a little while - it's soap after all - self cleaning :)

Yes :) The Encyclopaedia of Essential Oils. by Julia Lawless " The complete guide to the use of aromatics in aromatherapy, herbalism, Health and well-being" published by Element. ISBN 1-85230-311-5 My copy is 16 years old and well loved :) It contains a lot of information about...