Thanks for your input EG, Shunt2011, Lindy, Songwind and DeeAnna ( hope I got everyone
!! here's what happened in my first ever experiment with SA. So in between the screamings of my two year old and six month old sons.. I managed to make a small batch of orange soap.
I added .7% stearic at trace and then the fragrance oil..it did not seize but turned very smooth custardy, very thick trace.. so I quickly split the mixture into two containers, one with the color and one with TD. Whizzed them all up and spooned into the mould. I guess I mocked around too long coz as I spoon swirl, the mixture which was smooth before pouring has now somehow started to solidify and white specks starts to appear on the white area ( not on the orange bit, could it be that it was in fact TD--that I used too much--(almost 1 tsp for 1/3 pound) and not due to SA?
There was also some clear looking areas in my soap, idk what they are but the soap also had droplets of fragrance oil on top so it might be that I did not mix the fragrance oil properly as I was in such a rush to color the batter so I can pour right away..? I see a lot of ppl add FO with oils and not at trace, is that a better way?
Also I still get soda ash.. with 70% rubbing alcohol sprayed on top.. I get that from a Filipino store as only alcogels are sold here. What else could I try pls?
Lindy its funny I recalculated my recipe without SA and it still gave me the same hardness of 40..lol what am I doing adding SA! My Palm oil is called palm olein--not pure palm but has palm olein and sunflower- idk what their percentages are in the mixture I guess I wanted to be super sure the soap will be hard. When the soap calc gives a number for say hardness.. does it mean hardness after its been cured? does a soft soap (with lots of soft oils) harden in time and make long lasting bars? just curious-I know they may go rancid.
Do butters really make a difference on skin? this recipe seems to be really conditioning just wondered if butters will add a little extra something.
Sorry I have lots of question I'm a sponge for soaping education
In the photo you could see the white specks. I really hope I'll get better at this..pls teach me!!