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Salt Bars You said you used equal parts coconut oil and rendered bacon fat. Salt bars need at least 70% coconut oil (better at 85%) because the salt counteracts the lather of the soap, so the high coconut amount is needed to make lather.

Salt Bars Color should be added to the soap batter before adding the salt. I always do my salt bars HP and in individual cavity molds. I had not thought about trying it with my slab molds and popping in the divider. That could be a good weekend challenge.

Rose Petals I know that lavender does the same thing (maybe worse) so I am careful that none get embedded in my HP soap. I spritz the top of my soap heavily with 91% Rubbing Alcohol and add my lavender buds, then spritz again. Might work with rose petals, too. My lavender buds have not...

Salt bars I agree - twelve hours was way to long to wait to cut. I personally like to use molds with silicone cavities for my salt bars which eliminates a lot of the problems you get when cutting. Also, I never use more than 5% castor oil. My recipe is 80% coconut oil, 15 % avocado (or...

TD - Add to Oils I use oil-soluable TD. I sprinkle the TD powder over the top of the oils and walk away for 5 - 10 minutes. Then I stick blend well. I have never had crackling/TD rivers.

Moderators Welcome - and thanks to all the moderators for their hard work!

You don't "graduate" from MP - you just do a different soaping technique. I do MP, but mostly HP. I don't consider myself "graduated" or better, I've just learned something else in soaping that I love. JMHO.

Lavender Buds? The scent sounds like they will smell very good. The lavender buds on the top are nice - but if those are lavender buds inside the soap they will all turn brown like mouse poop..... the only botantical that does not turn brown in soap is calendula.

Wood Molds I line my molds with freezer paper - just takes a few minutes. None of my wood molds have hinges or screws and I've never had difficulty removing my soap.

Gel? If I put the yogurt soap immediately out in my 35 - 40 degree garage uncovered will I be able to avoid gel?

SoapMakingTommy I suggest you go read the posted article. It explains why vinegar is not the first thing you should reach for.

Water Bath? I sometimes do a water bath depending on the soap but most of the time I use a microfiber cloth to shine up my soaps after I run them over the planer.

HP I normally use 1 tsp ppo of SL, but if using softer oils, may use up to 2 tsp. I add to my cooled lye water. HP soaps can be used immediately on your skin after the cook; however, they will be a harder bar if you wait about two weeks to use. Many CP people say you need to wait about 4...

Crisco Some of my best soaps are made with Crisco.

Wedding Favor Soaps For a wedding shower, a guest size bar is fine. For a wedding, many brides want a full size soap. You can use inkjet printable vellum to make nice cigar bands where you can still see the soap. I just finished an order for a small wedding (50 guests). I made a HP swirl...

Vitamin E will not keep your soap from going rancid. ROE added to your oils when you open them would be a better option.

Moisturizing Facial Bar Jenna - this recipe makes and amazing moisturizing facial bar: 40% Olive Oil, 30% Avocado Oil, 10% Castor Oil, 10% Tallow, 10% Shea Butter. Mix water in an equal weight to your lye and then the rest of my liquid (almond milk), add at light trace. (I do mine HP).

I disagree about the Crisco and Avocado Oil - Crisco makes a great soap. And I love Avocado at 15% in my salt bars.

The only time I add glycerin to soap is when I am making hot process. If you add 1 tsp ppo, in addition to 1 tsp SL ppo, who can do a hanger swirl in your HP soap.

Lin - yes, these salt bars have colorant. I used skin-safe "Vibrance" micas from Nuture Soaps.