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That *is* unnerving, especially because it was only 8 oz and 2 minute in the microwave. Like you, I always keep everything with lye in it in plastic but figured I was OK melting butters in Pyrex. Do you think it was from heating up quickly in the microwave, rather than (eg) using a pyrex...

This is horrible, Carolyn. I am so sorry. I don't know what to say, either, but I am sending energy and hope your way.

I use a Halloween bucket that I got on sale at Walmart for $1.00 :). As long as it's the right kind of plastic (I know #5 PP is Ok, I think #2 as well) it's fine.

Like everyone else I don't know what happened behind the scenes, but it is good for the board to have civility rules that are strictly enforced, I think. There was another active soap/B&B board called the DISH which was very active a few years ago. A huge amount of collective knowledge and...

I’ve been experimenting with benzoin powder as a scent fixative and think there might be something to it. I haven’t been doing it for long enough, or rigorously enough, to conclude anything with certainty, but the fragrance in the soaps in which I’ve used it seems to be stronger and hold better...

In addition to what @AliOop mentions, a couple of others: Use slow tracing oil mix (eg, lard, olive, avocado, high oleic sunflower - maybe not grapeseed because it has a short shelf life); avoid large amounts of fast ones (eg, CO, palm, butters, castor above 5% or so); Increase water/liquid in...

Thanks, you guys! This made me realize that when I get ash it often is not instant. Going to try cutting and covering as well.

Yes, thanks @GoBlue, it was very generous to take the time to describe your process so carefully! That really is one of the great things about this board, the collective information that people contribute is enormously helpful for learning. Also, I like your bathroom tile, it goes perfectly...

Yes, a chelator is for cutting back on soap scum (basically it binds the metal ions in hard water to reduce the scum), I don't think it is going to help with your squeaky clean problem, though. You should try lard, you can get it at many grocery stores in the US. I get mine from Walmart...

It looks OK to me - especially since you really liked it before - albeit (for me) a little high on the CO, as you've already mentioned. Some people like that squeaky clean feeling, is it accompanied with dryness/tightness for you now? If so I'd drop the CO to 20% and see if it goes away...

I don't get soda ash that often because I always CPOP and soap at 33% LC, but I really don't like it when it happens. I know it's just cosmetic, but a big part of the soaping fun for me is the swirl/design part, the ash just bothers me after all the work. I don't know why, I like some...

I don’t know how I ended up on this video while on a youtube bing, but it is BB’s Anne Marie answering FAQs from viewers. Almost all of it seemed very familiar, but she provided a long list of control factors for soda ash, so I (a) wanted to post them here for newbies and (b) ask if some of...

@MadronaByTheS3a, I agree with LSG, I don't think soap would be very effective for this. I used to make a body oil for a friend for this purpose. It was a long time ago, but as I remember some kind of light carrier oil (nowadays I would probably use meadowfoam or abyssinian) and eo's like...

@bookworm, I think I sampled Fresh Cut Roses a long time ago and thought it was a decent rose scent but for me not a standout. If I am remembering correctly (and I am might not be, it was early on), it seemed a bit generic. Also, my preference is for a rose which contains some green notes from...

I don't know how you guys can stand this. I am so sorry, Carolyn. I hope she turns the corner soon so that you can all start to recover from this.

Sorry, this is is so late, but in my experience Kokum has very little odor. I've bought it many times because I almost alway use it in creams/lotions (except in facial ones), in different countries, and it has never smelled very strongly of anything. At this point if it did I would suspect I...

@Mobjack Bay, I don’t have much experience with more exotic butters, but my favorites are Kokum (if I want a hard butter) and mango if I want a softer one. In most b&b I prefer a non-greasy feeling on application, and these fit the bill. I also like the conditioning qualities of mango butter...

What do you like about it, @Zing (or anyone else?) Just the color, or does it bring other properties to soap?

I can't shed any light, @Tammyfarms, just wanted to commiserate. I bought an extruder and some extruder discs on Etsy and tried a few different formulas for soap dough to use with them. None of them are extruding that well, they all break before the extruded form gets longer than an inch or...

Oh, no! I bought some silicone after I read your post, I have yet to try it though. Thanks for reporting back. If the product I bought produces a non-sticky mold (or even if it's sticky) I'll post in case someone else is silicone shopping.