Views from soapers

[hodders]

As a soaper
I've tried all methods. Started straight in the deep end' jumped both feet in and made a cold process soap..
All though very basic using pomace oil and coconut milk
Still turned out ok.
Next tried the melt and pour . Which is very quick and easy and can get some great results with a little time and patience and
A great thing to do with children and grandchildren. I've now moved on to the hp method. I must admit I do like this method and love to use pork tallow as my main



Would just like to know what the rest of u all think. What methods do u like most of all

 

[AnnaMarie]

I personally love cp, but I will admit that I haven't tried the other methods. Truthfully, I have no desire to try other methods for one reason or another, but each to his own.
Happy soap making!
Cheers!
Anna Marie

 

[maya]

Happy soaping! I love doing cold process. Something about going from a liquid to a solid fascinates me.

 

[Ruthie]

I started out with HP and do like making it. But my main reason for doing CP is the time constraints- more specifically time on task. I work long hard hours and find I can measure my oils one evening, line my mold another, then make the CP soap in just a while. But there are times I miss HP.

I did do M&P years ago. Haven't done it in a long time. But I am thinking about ordering some to make embeds.

 

[kryse13]

I first made candles, then tried the melt and pour because I was initially scared of the lye. It wasn't enough for me. I considered making my own soap with lye for years before I actually did it. I wish I did it sooner. HP has its own kind of love. To me its just a different way to make art. So far in my limited experience I like making CP, but that may change in years to come when I do practice HP more. I like the look of M&P but it just lacks the feeling (to me) of 'I made this with ingredients I chose'. I don't mean for this to stand for everyone, this is just my personal feeling.

 

[Dennis]

Curiosity has gotten me into all sorts of things good and maybe not so good. I wove a basket at a YMCA as a youth and that seems to be the first of many different hobbies.
My soaping obsession began after the purchase of a bar of Grandpa's Pine Tar Soap. Loved it. How do they do this? Lots of research led to the SoapMakingForum where I found a link to a first timers tutorial. It's no longer here but it was perfect for me at the time. Gallons of different oils later I still am hung up on CP and may or may not go into anything else. I love the planning, gathering, and execution with mostly great results. :roll:
Then there's those danged mold liners...I haven't completely given up on perfecting that skill so I'll be around for a while.
Much credit for my soaping successes go to this forum. It is maintained as a very civil, friendly, helpful and motivating resource.
Ok, I'll shut up.

 

[Pansy]

To Hodders: There's no such thing as "pork tallow." If it's from pork, then it's lard - which is fine. Just sayin'

 

[Ktaggard]

HP for me!!! I started off making cp, but after trying hp, I can't make myself go back to cp. HP clean up is so much easier, and I like knowing my soap/lye is fully sponified. I miss some of the swirl methods of cp, but have learned some great coloring techniques for hp. HP all the way for me !!!

 

[Ruthie]

To Hodders: There's no such thing as "pork tallow." If it's from pork, then it's lard - which is fine. Just sayin'

A rose by any other name would smell as sweet....

FWIW on soapcalc it is called, "Lard, pig tallow."

 

[MagicalMysterySoap]

Hp all the way. I love that everything has saponified. I love the rustic look and have no interest in Cp. It seems like too many people have issues with Cp and I feel hp is really straight forward. I've never had issues with it.

 

[AshPea]

I've only ever done CP but have no desire to try any of the other methods. I like the mad scientist feeling I get from turning a caustic substance into a creamy, softening, practical product that I can use.

 

[seven]

i started with candles. then i found out it was a PITA to pipe wax, so i moved to MP. the bloody same thing happened, it was a PITA to pipe MP. moved on to CP, got what i wished for, which was to make cupcake soaps These days, I like them all (CP, HP, MP). HP and MP are good for when you need things quickly.

 

[Miz Jenny]

Cold process room temperature method. Thought about trying hp but no desire really. CPRT gives me to run up and down stairs without worrying about temps. Gives me a sense of freedom. Right now I have the lye/liquid combined for three 5lb batches soap: 2 double butter and one olive palm. I'll go down later and finish them.

 

[lsg]

I make more cp soap than M&P, but if I want to get fancy I use M&P and the many decorating options available. Melt & pour soap's transparency is great when using embeds, mica, charcoal etc., because the beautiful colors do not hide what is in the bar. I like to use cp soap for swirling, layering and soap cupcakes. Each method is fun and exciting once you try it.

 

[bluelilyboutique]

I started with HP and loved it moved on to CP and love it for all the swirls and options for design. But I love them both, I keep half of each kind on hand at all times. I haven't tried CPOP yet. That's my next one.

 

[SudsyPM]

My first dip was MP, which I didn't really like because I didn't feel like I was really "making" the soap and couldn't control the ingredients. I then went to CP and overall love the results. However, I have tried HP when I've had a catastrophe and I love the speed of it just not an overall fan of the rustic look. So with all that said I love soap making and I think every method like any other art has it's place depending on the result you're looking for.

 

[cmzaha]

I happen to absolutely hate hp, only use it when using known bad fo's. I just do not like the look or feel of hp, jmo. I love what my daughter can do with mp and we have a fantastic veggie base made with lye and veggie oils. It is a very high quality mild glycerin soapbase made for us. I happen to *suck* big time at mp so I leave that to her. She is epileptic and it is just not safe for her to play with lye. She goes through 1-1.5 pallets of mp a year. That is a lot of mp!!

 

[Susie]

I did CP, rebatch, HP, CP again x 3. Now I am making liquid soaps: handwashing soap, liquid laundry soap, dish soap, more handwashing soap, shampoo gel.

I like CP, but it takes so much less WAITING to do liquid. I am not fond of HP texture. So, my favorites lie somewhere between CP and liquid right now.

 

[Candybee]

I started out making candles. Then I added M&P soap and loved it but always wanted to make my own soap from scratch instead of a base. Thinking of using lye kept me away for a few years until I felt brave enough to try CP. It was instant love! I make mostly CP soap but I also make CPHP too. For me its a particular recipe or scent that is the deciding factor. I love making both. Recently I started working with KOH so I am learning to make cream and liquid soaps. I enjoy learning all about each method. I think the knowledge enriches all of your soapmaking by showing you new ways to do things. I still make candles BTW but no more M&P. I just never liked not having complete control of what goes into my soap so M&P and I have departed.

 

[PinkCupcake]

Mostly I do CP. I love being able to do fun colors & swirls & things. I do HP for my "all-natural" soaps, since I can add in the EOs after the soap is done cooking. I've tried MP, but I just didn't enjoy it.