Hi everyone, new to this site. I have been reading about and researching soapmaking for a while and today I attempted to make my first batch of CP soap. I used a recipe from Millers soap for a very basic batch using Crisco, olive oil, lye and water. I added orange scented EO and ground oatmeal for additives. I was nervous about the trace process, it seemed that it took forever. I am thinking that I may have added the lye solution while it was too hot, it foamed up when I was adding it. I stirred for a good 45 mintues before trace was present. Is this ok? Will the batch harden? If not, what can I do with it? Does anyone have suggestions or recipes for very simple batches?
First attempt at CP
- Thread starter AKMoose
- Start date
Help Support Soapmaking Forum:
Hello and welcome! Congrats on your first batch! Did you use a stickblender to mix your soap or did you do it by hand? If you did it by hand then 45 minutes is not unusual from what I understand. I have never done it without my SB cuz - well that would just be way too much work......
Take some pictures for us to see.....
Take some pictures for us to see.....
ChrissyB
Well-Known Member
A stick blender is an absolute necessity!!
I have only made 2 batches by hand (out of about 100), and only did it because I was feeling all puritan. Then I thought bugger this I don't have time.
I have only made 2 batches by hand (out of about 100), and only did it because I was feeling all puritan. Then I thought bugger this I don't have time.
AKMoose said:
Hello, yes a stick blender!! i got one used for 6 $, you will reach trace in less than 3 minutes, if your oils and lye are 90-110 degrees. Good luck, iam new to cp, ive done 4 batches now, so far . so good.
I think you're right about the citris EO not holding its smell, I just took the soap out of the mold and cut it, it does not smell like orange at all. It has a very strong lye odor. Or I am assuming that is what the odor is. It just doesn't smell good! Is the odor normal when you first cut it, will it go away as it sits and cures? I made my second batch last night and used peppermint oil, I bought the stick blender and let the oil and lye both get to 110 degrees before mixing them, it was great, it got to trace in about 3-4 minutes. I hope this batch comes out better and holds it smell.
You definitely have to use something to anchor citrus or it won't hold up...patchouli, benzoin, and orris are all commonly used. Only problem is....patch is sooooo expensive, and orris and benzoin are known sensitizers. I've found it easier to just use fragrance oil if I want citrus, then it's not an issue.
My first batch was made with orange EO. It had an almost permanent wave solution smell to it at first......is that the smell you're getting?
My first batch was made with orange EO. It had an almost permanent wave solution smell to it at first......is that the smell you're getting?
Yes, that is it!!! The smell is "permanent wave", does it go away? I tell you this is a learning process, at least I got it to actually turn into soap. Does the peppermint EO work ok or do you need to add something to it to get it to stay scented?
Similar threads
