First batch

[Randall Kepley]

Hi Guys and Gals, was wondering if I could get some help please. Ive searched but I dont know how to word my search for exactly what I want to make so here goes. My daughter and I are making our first batch and we want to start simple, we would like to make a simple Melt and pour soap but we would like to add (for lack of a better description) rough ingredients. Things that will make the soap very scratchy to really get in and dig the dirt out if this makes sense. We have all of out equiptment and are ready to go we just would like to start w/ a simple recipe for a general everyday soap. Thanks, R

 

[Crazy8]

Well this may or may not help you at all, but I to am brand new to the soaping hobby and my first real attempt was actually a coffee soap. Its made with brewed coffee in place of the normal water and it uses coffee grounds to as an exfoliant. I had my teen age step son try it after a day of working on exhausts all day to get the black gunk that was caked on his arms and it worked amazingly well. That coffee just scrapes that junk off. There are many natural things you can use to add to your bar to exfoliate. So I say all of this to say that you could try cold process coffee soap or perhaps if all you want to do is MP (melt&pour) maybe think about coffee grounds as a possible exfolaint. Hope this helps in some way and welcome to the hobby and the forums.

 

[Crombie]

First Batch - Additives

You might want to try loofah - either sliced or shredded - it is natural and works very well in MP soap and will not turn brown.

One caution when adding things to soap - botanticals, except calendula, will eventually turn brown in soap. So, while the soap may look beautiful when you make it, if you add rose petals for example, it will turn brown at some point. If you are selling, or even gifting, this would not be "pretty" down the road.

I have heard that many have success with poppy seeds.

 

[savonierre]

extra fine pumice works great in M&P for a scrubby soap.