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Thank you for pointing this out and including the thread. I'll give it a close reading AND do the math. Also, a big "thank you" to the scientific folks generously sharing knowledge on this forum, I learn so much from you. The science I do with preschoolers is fun, but rarely so technical.

Yesterday I made my first batch of soap with citric acid. DOS has never been a problem, but soap scum in the tub and probably in the pipes of my home and the homes of my recipients is certainly a concern. I chose citric acid because it was readily available, on the shelf at my local hardware...

They're all quite lovely. Blue Man immediately brought the Oregon Coast to mind. Inspiring and generous of you to share.

I was gifted some Roman Chamomile e.o. (so expensive), combined it with a little lavender, used usual recipe, excitedly waited 48 hours to cut and then, it CRUMBLED. Due to heatwave here in the PNW I did pop the loaf in the fridge for an hour, really hoping that's why it crumbled.

So, what did you do? How did it go? Couldn't offer advice as I've never sold soap in the heat, or anywhere.

Need more parsley, quite the panacea.

Done

I have always used dried parsley infused olive oil for my green, sometimes with the addition of some dried parsley powdered in my spice grinder. Like most folks who use natural colorants every batch is CPOP. I have achieved a slightly brighter green in other batches but, didn't take pictures...

Late jumping in but, I'm a regular "grocery store" soap maker (i.e. super impatient, poor impulse control) and I only color with infused oils so here's my go to recipe: 40% Olive Oil (see color infusions below) 5% Castor (local fancy store carries 16oz bottles) 35% Lard 20% Coconut Pour into...

Me 24 hours after pour "Can I cut it now?" Sense and Reason "No, too soon" Me 25 hours after pour "Now?" Sense and Reason "No, too soft" Me 26 hours after pour "Now?" Sense and Reason "No, you'll regret it" Me 27 hours after pour, cutting soap that's too soft Sense and Reason "..." Every. Dang...

Thanks for the advice, will try Obsidian's method once I regain my nerve to try again. I've worked with clove and anise blends at least 5 times without trouble and this may have given me a false sense of security.

After about 8 years of making soap, I've had my first major batch failure and would really appreciate some advice about what might have caused the major malfunction. Recipe: 30% Olive Oil, 30% Palm, 18% RBO, 20% Coconut, 2% Castor (usually use 5%, ran out), 1032g oils 33% lye concentration, 1...

Spring and vaccines are coming, we'll talk :)

Your soap is lovely, the scent combination goes beautifully with the color scheme. I to am in Portland, but was housebound with no lye!

Hello Sonata! Are you in Surrey B.C. or Surrey, England?

Hello Oregon Groves.

Happy Soap Day Peachy Clean! It's fun to read everyone's stories. My first soap was made in a class, Crisco/coconut/olive, scented with peppermint and using small ikea plastic containers. Outside of being terribly difficult to unmold it was good soap and like everyone else here, I was hooked.

Thank you

JoyfulSudz, that would be lovely, maybe TheGecko could join us.

I do both string art and something very like the video, with preschoolers, it's great fun. Should say, that was way back when it was safe to have in person school. :(