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. I hate to disappoint Anna Marie, but that's pretty much my opinion now. Lol DeeAnna! It's okay if we don't agree:-). I'm not disappointed! I realize not everyone will have the same results or opinions. After my experiences with Castile I wondered if lye heaviness made a difference, and I...

I wouldn't worry too much unless the coughing starts happening on a regular basis. If I'm reading correctly it, just happened the one time. If the problem is lye you won't miss it- guaranteed! The reaction is a rather violent one, and you won't forget it. I understand being nervous though. Anna...

I just got through my first show as well, and yes, I'm a big time introvert. Most people are surprised by that statement because I don't appear to be so, but it's because I work very hard to be better then my antisocial self I also married into a big family, so I needed to rise to the occasion...

I would use the guide with your "basic" essentials oils such as lavender, tea tree, orange....but wintergreen would be another category

I absolutely agree that variation does exist in essential oil usage, but to be fair I didn't just throw out a random number when I listed 1 and 2% dilution rates- the info comes from a reputable source and is meant to be a starting point which is what I sensed the question was (but maybe I...

I use Brambleberry's fragrance calculator to determine eo amounts, and yes, the amounts are a lot. I go heavy on the eo's in soap because the scent tends to be weaker than fragrance oil and fades more quickly (IME). Also, soap is a wash off product, so I think the rules are a bit different for...

Is it the clear, thin layer of slime or is it "snot like" slime (sorry for the gross term.) I haven't like castile because it turns into a yellow, yucky mess. I do initially get the clear jelly thing going though. Cheers! Anna Marie

Hi all! My life went from crazy to crazier as I am trying to get our house ready to sell (I have never done this before and it's a TON of work). In addition, I am shepherding my two teens everywhere- whew! I have not made any soap for weeks (sniff:sad:), nor have I been on the forum (:sad:). I...

Glad it's not lye crystals! I wondered because the only time I've ever see these crystals is when I've made my crazy, super lye heavy, Andalusian castile soap. I'll readily admit that I've never seen a really seen a good, clear, informational piece on the difference between ash and lye crystals...

I'm wondering if it might be lye crystals??? Soda ash is powdery, but "hairy" is something different altogether. I've had lye crystals form on soap before (or at least I think they were. Maybe try a zap test... Cheers! Anna Marie

Here is a link from the cleaning icon, Heloise, on this very subject. Hope it helps. http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/hints-from-heloise-getting-gas-smell-out-of-clothes/2013/04/02/9802eeb8-9bcf-11e2-9bda-edd1a7fb557d_story.html Cheers! Anna Marie

Yes. I've been making and selling lotion bars for a couple of years now. I just use a nice, non-stick muffin tin.

Sorry! I thought you meant muffin tins as opposed to the portable tins :-). I prefer not to do that because the bar is easier to apply if it can be removed. I think I tried pouring directly into the container one time and dispensed with that idea. However, someone else may have a different view...

I pour directly into my muffin tins after melting combined oils/butters and let cool. Works beautifully every time, and the bars are the perfect size. Cheers! Anna Marie

Sorry for your soap troubles! Glad you were able to strain it. I'm assuming when you melted you had the stove top on? I find that for coconut and palm it will melt quite easily when I put the container in the kitchen sink filled with hot tap water. I let it sit until melted and change water if...

So sorry about your kitty troubles. If it makes you feel better my kitty had a murmur and she was just fine. In any case, I couldn't have afforded vet bills myself at the time because we were finishing paying off about $50,000 in medical bills for one of our children. Sometimes hard choices...

I imagine it traced quick because of the concentrated lye solution and no other water. I thought I'd read that some soap makers do this with their castile (deep water discount) and the result is a quick trace and thick soap. On the chocolate brown...????? I wonder if you would get the same...

Vuladams, I have somewhat dry skin myself, but the aged bar of the soap works fine for me, but it is entirely possible that this soap might be too much for someone else. Give it a try and see what you think :-) Krunt, those bubbles might get bigger with age. My bubbles get nice and big, but...

Obsidian, the lather for this soap is nice and bubbly and cleansing, but needs water to really get it going (at least that's my experience). I like this recipe better than regular castile because it holds up better and performs better (IMO). I also like that this recipe is traditional and comes...

Or better yet, "I'll fly away"