A few questions from a relatively new soaper

[littlefrodo]

I'm relatively new at this and have a few questions for any kind souls who can help me out!

1. Is it better to add your fo with oils before adding lye water, or after you've reached a light trace? If added with oils that are warmer than room temp, do you heat the fo slightly?

2. What benefit is there to letting oils and lye water cool to room temp before adding lye water to oils? I know in milk soaps this is necessary, but can yo do this for non-milk soaps?

3. When putting in additions like oatmeal, or natural colorants like cocoa powder, etc, do you have to calculate this in a soap calculator?

4. When doing a milk soap, if you split your water amount into two parts making one part milk, when you add the milk later, do you still need to keep the mixture in an ice bath like you would if you mixed all your milk with lye in the beginning? I just wonder if it's still just as ornery adding it at the end as adding it at the beginning.

Thanks in advance! I may think of other burning questions, but this is what I can think of for now.

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[tryanything]

1. There is really no difference when you add your FO. One benefit to adding it before the lye is that you will remember it. Sometimes if things get going you might forget to add it later.

2. Letting the oils and lye water cool gives slows down the reaction (I think) and basically gives you more time to work.

3. No you don't need to calculate additives in. For solids like oatmeal and stuff most usually use a tbs per pound of oil (some only use 1 tsp, its a personal choice).

4. If you are not adding the lye to the milk then it does not have to be in an ice bath. Cooled in the fridge might help reduce the possibility of scorching but overall you are probably okay.


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[judymoody]

Good questions which suggest you've done a fair amount of research already

1. When to add the FO - there are many opinions on this. I prefer to add at light trace but others add it to their base oils before mixing with lye. You don't need to heat it, either way.

2. Soaping at cooler temperatures will slow trace. If you want more time for intricate swirls or you will be working with a fragrance that accelerates trace, this gives you a little extra time.

3. No, you don't put additives like these in a soap calculator. Only your base oils.

4. If I do the divided method, I don't chill the milk. But you may get many different opinions on this question. I tend to use powdered milk more than liquid milks so perhaps I'm not the best person to answer this question.

Good luck and enjoy. My advice is to start simple, get the hang of things, and then move on to milks, colorants, and the like.

 

[littlefrodo]

Thank you so much for your responses!!

 

[sistrum]

I always add my FO after my lye. I like to bring my oils and lye at least to emulsion before adding just in case it decides to go wonky on me. I don't want my stuff freezing up before everything is at least mixed enough to not separate. Just something to think about.