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How do you use dandelions ? I've got tons around ...

Thinking about it, I'm wondering about something myself. Which is how does this work since most essential oils have a higher boiling point than water ? My little knowledge about distillation comes from making homegrown spirits, where the lower boiling temperature of alcohol is thought to...

Well, it's not my idea, just came across it ... Bottomline is that it doesn't matter how you call it, the question is if we are able to use it to obtain a nicely scented soap.

Doesn't seem to be exactly a hydrosol. If the method works the result (as I am reading it) should be a little bit of essential oil floating on top of a hydrosol, which essential oil can be separated (more or less) through decantation.

I believe citrus oils can be pressed instead of distilled. Just found an interesting link, hope to try it when I have some free time and herbs: http://homecooking.about.com/od/allherb ... lherb1.htm Probably won't give you high purity EO, but it doesn't require expensive equipment and...

I've heard of a similar method used to test hot process soap. What you say does make some sense: soap is heavier than water and will sink to the bottom, while oil is lighter than water and if your trace separates, it will float to the surface. However, I don't know if it really works in...

PH is no monster, just a fluffy bird :P We had a similar discussion few weeks ago, and I believe this link was posted: http://www.millersoap.com/phtome.html Pure soap has a pH close to 10. If there is any difference from the oils used (which I haven't really noticed), it will be extremely...

There can be few reasons to add glycerine: - for HP, it makes a smooth pour - for liquid soap - some claim makes a milder soap and helps transparency - apparently helps with bubbles (somebody said it makes a big difference for a shaving soap recipe) - obviously when you make homemade...

Speaking of unit's, it wouldn't matter even if they were different. Mixing 20 grams of lye with 100 grams of oil will give you the same soap as mixing 20 oz lye with 100 oz oil. No matter if the oz are UK, US or Madagascar ounces.

Should always be weight :) However, some recipes may be inexact or use volume. There are many recipes out there and some are bad ones. This is why you should always use a lye calculator to check the recipe: http://www.wholesalesuppliesplus.com/Ca ... CalcWP.asp...

Nope. Actually, airtight helps preventing ash.

The only thing I've tried sofar (with other herbs - haven't used mint yet) is oil infusion from finely ground dry leaves. Working these days on something more complex. Tea to replace water and herbs infused into oils. Maybe I'll also try what I can do with fresh leaf juice. Also see...

That's not so much ... Maybe you should look for another culprit. I've never had soap crumble. Thinking about something though: maybe it starts some fine cracks while you cut it and it crumbles later. If you're using the same recipe and always cut it after let's say - 2 days, it could be...

I add few Tbs at a time, hot water and give it few stirs.

Enough heat should melt your soap, unless it's very hard and dry. Maybe the oven doesn't create enough heat, compared to the crockpot. Which means: add more water earlier during the cooking, to prevent dryness. Actually, when I used HP for liquid soap, I'd keep adding water during cooking, so...

Never heard it to be listed as a preservative. But you could be on to something there ... For example, maybe extra hardness makes a bar less prone to DOS.

I've used baking soda once, but could see no difference. Just guessing, washing soda might increase the washing power of soap. Could also create a harsh soap. Soap is quite cleansing, there is no need to add extra ingredients. If you must, create a more cleansing recipe. We need to...

He is not adding oils, just listing ingredients. Which I would guess are the same as listed by the vendor of the M&P base. Yes, and I guess you can call handmade whatever you do at home. After all, most of us aren't making soap completely from scratch (which would include "growing" the oils...

Steaming soaps can make them more shiny. I've tried adding a laquer finish once, with encouraging results. Some people mention polishing, using water and a smooth cloth. Half of the shininess in the above picture comes from the camera and lighting. You'd be amazed what difference it...

To avoid confusions, by "t" I meant teaspoons. Over 1 Tablespoon seems quite daring. Also, quite interesting, they seem to pack more punch in a harder bar of soap.