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Thanks everyone! I am going unscented. It's for a shave soap. I think i may try and add after the cook. Will melt by double boiler first though.

Hi all, Would adding lanolin to the oils before the lye affect the properties of the lanolin? I heard it is best to add at around 100 F because it is temperature sensitive, but just wanted to know since I never worked with it before and others have way more experience under their belt. I...

I just cooked the croaps as long as I thought necessary (45 minutes for 100 g sample). I may cook as long as an hour just to make sure. No zap test ever for me. I agree Effy, if it doesn't react adversely to my skin, it is A-ok.

Hi all, I just finished my second batch of soft shave soap and, both croaps tested between 8-10 for pH using test strips. I was wondering if there is a more accurate way of checking pH without doing the zap test? I was thinking about buying an electronic pH tester. Generation 1 of my shave...

Thank you kindly to all replies! My brother wants me to make a shave soap today. :) I said safety first. :)

Hi everyone, Inam going to batch my first soap this weekend and want to know how I should proceed to safely clean up after I'm done? Gloves and goggles are a must for sure. Should I neutralize lye with vinegar after using and place in the sink to be washed with dish liquid? I will be doing...

Hi everyone, I am pondering whether I want to use a combo of KOH/NaOH or just use KOH and add sodium lactate to get my desired shave soap hardness. If I use KOH only and add Sodium Lactate at 3-5%, will my soap get as hard as a 60/40 or 70/30 of a KOH/NaOH combo? Just curious before I go and...

DeeAnna, when you melt the stearic acid before adding it to the lye/oil mixture, how much water do you add to it?

Thank you kindly, DeeAnna! I am also going to experiment with KOH/NaOH mix. I am looking to make a soft Italian soap. Not sticky but pliable enough to madh into a mug or container.

Hi everyone! I just signed up for the forum since I am going to start making my own Italian soft shave soaps. I have been scanning this thread and have gotten lots of helps and pointers. It looks like stearic acid should be added to the batch after light trace has been reached with the...