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I use canned gm for my lye solution and always get that ammonia smell when mixing it. The smell dissapates after a day or two. Never stayed like yours. Perhaps it may mellow out after a longer cure. Don't know. Did you do a water discount? Maybe it just needs more time for the moisture/water to...

I use activated charcoal in some of my soap and never had any cracking. If your charcoal is acting similar to those magnetized particals- sorry don't know what they are called; iron shavings? -- it sounds weird. My charcoal is so fine and powdery I actually have to be extra careful opening the...

I tried it and found the coffee grounds made the soap way too scratchy. I will check out the superfine ground coffees and see if those work better.

Never heard of clays staining. I suppose it could if you use way too much. I know too much of some oxides and charcoal can stain. A typical use for clays is 1 tsp up to 1 tbs PPO. I tend to use 1 tbs per 3 lb batch so that comes out to roughly 1 tsp PPO.

Hmmm... I've used 50% stearic with 50% tallow and coconut oil split 50/50 and got a semi soft soft using 90% NaOh and 10% KOH. It does harden after a while but is still soft enough to imprint if I press my thumb in the bar. I'm skeptical about getting a hard or even firm bar using 100% KOH...

I'd take your mom up on her offer. Instead of infusing in the oil use the lavender buds to make lavender water for your lye liquid. I have noticed that since using the lavender water my lavender soap has an extra fresh lavender scent. Its like the lavender water makes the scent pop. I just take...

Essential Depot here. I live in Northern Virginia so we are both on the east coast. Good prices and fast shipping. Also, I love their packaging. They sell in 2lb containers but have sales on larger quantities. I buy several bottles at a time and never worry about the heat and humidity. The...

Depends on the recipe so the amount of fats I use varies from one recipe to the next. But on average, I use anywhere from 4-7 oils of the majority. For the castiles, bastiles, laundry, and salt bars I may use from 1-4.

I use both honey and sugar in my soapmaking. When I use sugar, I mix it first with some coconut milk or whatever liquid I am using to make sure its liquified first and the granuals dissolved before adding to my soap batter. When I use honey, I nuke it in a short 20 second blast to liquify...

You mentioned you tested your soap after 12 hours? then again at 24 hours? Did you CP? Or did you oven process? This will make a huge difference in your results. A cp soap may take several days to finish saponifying. So the soap can zap at this point until it is fully saponified after a few...

Just about anywhere you live will have a local farmers market. Go to the market and ask around for a local farmer that butchers their own meat. They are usually happy to sell you some beef fat and or pig fat. I know you want beef for shaving soap but you should try pig fat or lard sometime in a...

So glad you were able to save it Carolyn. It sounds heavenly. Will have to check out NDA.

Lots of florals move fast. I have learned with some scents to add at the very last just before I pour into my mold. Don't panic about the weird color just yet. By tomorrow the lavender may be normal and much prettier. I always get a yucky grayish blue color when I use lavender. But after it...

I was the same way. Made M&P for years but really wanted to make CP soap from scratch. M&P is nice but you never, never, have complete control of what goes into your soap. So I stayed in limbo for months. Just like you afraid to take the plunge. I was already prepared with lots of info and...

I brought this subject back up because of an experience I just had today with lumpy coconut milk. I have used canned coconut milk for years and yes it does have fat clumps in it but nothing like what I experienced today. I have always used it with no problems but today was definitely different...

I like the idea of using one for rebatched soap. I always end up using more liquid to make the soap as smoothe as possible and end up with really soft soap for weeks.

I prefer the canned coconut milk in my soap. Don't ask me why but my soaps just feel really creamy. Before I use it I pour the whole can, lumps and all, into my blender, and blend on medium high until the milk has creamed and the lumps are gone. Works for me. I also split my liquid; half water...

I like to put a few bars away in my linen closet and let them sit for months-- or until next year. First time I did that I forgot about them a pulled one out that was about 6 months old and wow was it lovely!

That's pretty scary. But him mentioning that its his first soap he made should at least warn some would be customers.

I am lucky I can use any of my soaps to wash my face. But the ones I tend to use the most and that make my face feel clean and soft are: 1) summer face soap: a simple bastile, 80% calendula infused olive oil; 10% CO; 5% sweet almond, 5% castor; 2) year round breakout or problem skin: my lard...