Happy accidents

[Saintlysoaper]

Just thought I'd share my latest soap success which turned out be a happy accident. About three weeks ago I made not one, but two batches of slightly different soaps each (I thought) containing 10% coconut oil. Turns out I had picked up a large container of Shea butter instead of coconut which, believe me looks identical to the lower grade CO I now use. These soaps are now proving to be the extra mild type I was after as they contain no coconut oil at all but I would never have tried this deliberately.

Good thing I actually noticed my mistake right before I was about to make 100% coconut oil soap which would have been, er, 100% Shea butter.

 

[snappyllama]

Nice! How is the lather on them?

 

[Saintlysoaper]

Surprisingly, not too bad. In the first week, it was pretty low but it has definitely gotten better and some good sized bubbles can be worked up in amongst a more creamy dense lather. I am hoping It will improve even more though in the next 5 weeks. They all contain yoghurt too and a fair amount of castor oil.

 

[The Efficacious Gentleman]

Very glad that this isn't titled "my salt bars are terrible, and I don't know why"

 

[Dr.J]

Note also that your resulting superfat is lower than intended, due to the difference in SAP values for CO and Shea.

 

[Saintlysoaper]

Yes that's true. i had the superfat at 6% but it now equates to 3%. Again, something I would never have done but it does still seem okay.
Next time I make it I will just go to 5% to avoid cutting the bubbles as much as possible.

 

[Ruthie]

Isn't it great when those "mistakes" turn out well? Instead of just an expensive learning experience? lol

 

[Saintlysoaper]

Yes it is. I've had more than enough of the other sort!

 

[songwind]

I'm curious about you saying they looked the same. Is your CO crumbly, or is your shea really hard and waxy?

 

[Saintlysoaper]

Both of them are a light cream colour and a dense creamy texture. I had previously only ordered Shea butter from one other supplier and that was still soft but grainy. This is also the first time I have tried a grade of CO other than Virgin food grade.