14 months to get soap making right

[tiffanyjayne]

Hi, I'm completely new to the world of soap making but would really, really like to learn to make some pretty soap blocks for wedding favors for our guests in 14 months time I'm not in any rush to master it and certainly not looking to cut corners or make anything from the soap so if someone could point me to the right place to find a list of what I need before thinking about ingredients that'd be great, I've only read up on HP soaps so I've just ordered a food grade thermometer and some goggles (I'm daft enough to try looking over the pan).

Thanks in advance for any help

 

[Hazel]

Hello and welcome! :wave:

David Fisher lists utensils needed for soapmaking on about.com. http://candleandsoap.about.com/od/soapmakingbasics/a/cpequip.htm

However, I don't recommend using Pyrex or any glass container for soapmaking. The reason for this is lye etches glass over time and can cause the container to shatter. Stainless steel or plastic with the symbol PP5 on the bottom is the best for mixing lye. I normally use an old Rubbermaid pitcher. You can use HDPE 2 but it's not as heat resistant as PP5. Hard plastic bowls will work well for the oils and mixing the batch. A tip from another member was to use the paint mixing cups from a DIY store for splitting up the batch for coloring. I use Ball freezer cups which work really well.

 

[judymoody]

14 months should be plenty of time.

If you are going to want to make pretty soap, I find cold process easier than hot process.

Some good websites to start out are Kathy Miller's soapmaking site, teachsoap.com, soap queen (Brambleberry) and lovinsoap (Amanda Griffin's blog). A basic recipe of 1/3 palm oil, 1/3 olive oil, 1/3 coconut oil, superfatted at 8-10% would be a good place to start.

Good luck and keep us posted!

 

[jean1C]

Hazel...I did not know that about Pyrex...Thanks!

Tiffany,
I am not sure what you are looking for. I am have been "soaping" for 14+ months and still have issues with my soaps. If you are doing this for your wedding, it may be easier to hire someone to do it or to go with Melt and Pour.( Not that M & P is easy if you want to make nice things). There are just too many things that can go wrong. I have only done HP twice (both in 2 # batches). One came out great, the other not so much. I am just thinking about you (the bride) and all the other stressors that a wedding brings. I would just hate to see you plan on this then have it not come out. It is A LOT harder than it looks. And SOOOOO Many things can go wrong.

That being said, If you want to do this...I would suggest experimenting with the fragrance you are going to use, as well as the colors...do small batches, then come up with something you like.

 

[tiffanyjayne]

Hi Guys and thanks for the replies, i'm already following soap queen (she got me onto the idea) and i've just sourced some lye and found all the oils i need.

I've just today bought a new glass mixing bowl, i'll be swopping it
Is it ok to use Silicon? i've bought a mixing spoon as i was told anything metal unless stainless steel could react with the lye.

Jean thank you for your concern, i'm hoping to be making around a batch a month HP and inbetween finding my way around CP and P+M so hopefully along the way i'll make enough good soap to use as favours, i'm not a fan of employing someone if i can do it myself and as i have another 2 months before i can start worrying about room decor, songs and rings i have plenty of time to get stuck into videos, books and online info

 

[Hazel]

Silicone is fine. I use the heavy white spoons which come in a 3-pack. I think they're just a heavy duty plastic. I found them at WalMart but I'm sure other stores carry the same or similar type of spoons. I haven't had any problems with using them for stirring lye for HP or CP. However, don't use one to stir the lye if you ever decide to try making liquid glycerin soap. The combination of lye, glycerin and heating on the stove will melt the spoon. I was quite shocked when I found this out - the hard way. A tip - use stainless steel if you ever get into making LGS.

I also found a large white mixing bowl with a handle and pour spout. I don't know if it's silicone or plastic but the material appeared to be the same as the spoons. It was cheap, too. I think I only paid $3 for it. It's wonderful for mixing the oils and lye together and makes it very easy to pour the batch into a mold or molds. Now I wish I had bought several but I wasn't sure how well it would hold up. I'm kicking myself because I haven't seem them again. I don't even remember where I bought it but it would have been either WalMart, Kroger's, Big Lots or a dollar store.

BTW, I forgot to say best wishes on your upcoming wedding. :grin: