Gearing up for batch #1!

[cgpeanut]

Over the weekend I was able to buy a bucket of lard from Walmart and I found some awesome little plastic measuring cups that I plan to use when I begin swirling colors! I'll order my mold on Friday and I'm picking up the lye from Ace Hardware sometime this coming weekend. I'm so excited - next week sometime I will be making soap!!!

Oh the addiction has started. I can hear it in your posts. Welcome to the dark side.

 

[Cactuslily]

Welcome to the addiction! I can hear the excitement in your posts I buy Morrell snow cap lard from the grocery store, and I don't detect any scent. I wasn't able to get lye locally. Checked every Ace, Tru value, home improvement stores etc.. My son said I'd better stop asking stores if they carry lye lest I end up on some crazy list Be sure it's 100% pure lye. I probably wouldn't use Pyrex for mixing lye. Over time it can etch. So I hear. Have fun! Welcome to the club!

 

[Luv2Soap]

LOL is my addiction that a parent already? Seriously, I cannot wait!

 

[Luv2Soap]

So guess what just happened...my neighbor across the street was throwing out (2) microwaves. My husband picked them up and they both work great! Thank you for always thinking of me God

 

[Dorymae]

Welcome to the addiction! I can hear the excitement in your posts I buy Morrell snow cap lard from the grocery store, and I don't detect any scent. I wasn't able to get lye locally. Checked every Ace, Tru value, home improvement stores etc.. My son said I'd better stop asking stores if they carry lye lest I end up on some crazy list Be sure it's 100% pure lye. I probably wouldn't use Pyrex for mixing lye. Over time it can etch. So I hear. Have fun! Welcome to the club!

I'm up by Phoenix, but true value does have it. However if you ask for lye they will look at you like you have two heads. Instead ask what isle the drain cleaner is in. You'll see it there on the shelf. If they are totally out, they can and will order it for you. Go take a look!

 

[Luv2Soap]

Okay - another question about my recipe for you amazing expert soapers out there:

Here's what I'm thinking:
55% lard
20% olive oil
20% coconut oil
5% castor oil
Superfat: 8%
38% Water

I'm purchasing 1982 Blue Mica & Titanium Dioxide from Brambleberry.com to try doing some swirling in my first batch of soap. My question is, does my recipe look slow moving enough for a beginner? Any suggestions to make this slower so I can try some swirling techniques? As always - thank you for your help!!

 

[Cactuslily]

Your recipe looks good. Remember, I'm a new soaper too, so take this with a bar of soap
I formulate recipes as well that allot time to play. That being said, I haven't found lard to accelerate my soap. Are you using a FO or EO? If so, watch out for fast movers. Floral and water scents tend to be biggies at least for me. I over blended my first few batches. Then, I became gentle with the SB. Mix to emulsion, divide out colors, then used my SB to blend colors. I have been adding my FO or EO to oils, but only have used oils I know won't accelerate. If I'm using a new one, I'd add it after colors are blended to give me more time. Good luck! Welcome to the club! Please post pics. And...see what others think. I'm too new to give too much advice, only what's worked for me and what I've experienced after 12 whole batches! Congrats on the microwaves! One mans trash truly is another mans treasure. Upcycling is always a good thing!

 

[Luv2Soap]

Thanks Cactuslily I'm not using any FO or EO - the men in my house would prefer just plain, old soap. The swirling is something I'm interested in so they'll have to deal with the girly swirls Hey...at least it's gonna be blue

 

[Cactuslily]

BB has great stuff, but check out Nurture soap. Their micas will change your life! Carrie,the owner is amazing, and great customer service!

 

[Sonya-m]

That should be pretty slow moving but be sure to soap pretty cool, I always aim for around 85f and so long as the FO I'm using behaves its plenty of time

 

[The Efficacious Gentleman]

I would suggest not swirling for the first batch. Just get used to the process itself with not too much added stress. Too many people wonder why every batch they make fails - the reason is that they are trying to drive In an F1 race the very first time they hold a steering wheel!

I'm not saying that will be the case with you, but it's not like you need to colour the first batch, is it?

 

[Susie]

^What Craig said!

You need to learn all the stages to go through, and what to watch for before trying to swirl. Get your basic process down first before moving on to more complications.

 

[navigator9]

I have to echo the above advice. When making your first batch of soap, you will have plenty to keep you busy and occupy your attention. Do yourself a favor, and don't make it any more complicated than it already is. Keep it simple and you will thank yourself. Save that beautiful blue for a later batch. Good luck!!!

 

[Cactuslily]

Have to say they are probably right. You know the old adage KISS? I didn't heed their advice, but, it's probably best. Aside from soaping cool, also keep notes on everything you did. I'm getting plastic covers for my papers to put into a binder. You can also then get an erasable marker to check off every ingredient as you go. I've had this issue where I couldn't remember if I added something. This way after you are done, you can erase your check marks, and write on your actual recipe any notations and observations you have to keep forever.

 

[Susie]

My recipes are a mess, but I wouldn't have it any other way. I check off ingredients when I weigh them the first time, then highlight them when I add them to the bowl, write notes all over, jot reminders on the back...it goes on and on. But they are a treasure trove of information that helps me improve my batches.

 

[Luv2Soap]

Okay...I'll crawl before I run Unscented and uncolored while taking lots of notes.

I just bought this mold:

It says each cavity makes a 5oz bar. So, I'm planning on filling each with 4 - 4 1/2 oz to start with. That makes 18 oz of soap which (I'm assuming) means I'll need 18 total oz of finished liquid soap to fill them.

I'm buying the lye over the weekend. The mold won't come until Tuesday which means Wednesday I'll be soaping! So excited!​

 

[McSpin]

Okay...I'll crawl before I run Unscented and uncolored while taking lots of notes.

You could add one color without too much added difficulty. It's the swirling that takes time. You can even stick blend in the color before adding the lye to your oils. Nothing will be rushed before the lye hits the fats. And since your putting it in individual molds, you can cram it in, even if it seizes on you (which your recipe shouldn't). I say, go ahead and make it a color you think you'll like.

 

[shunt2011]

I agree with the others with not using a fast moving EO/FO or trying to swirl on your first couple batches until you get the hang of it. However, if you want to add 1 color just add it to your oils before your lye mixture and at least you'll have colored soap. I second using Nurture Soap Supplies colorants. They are reasonably priced, work amazing and service is top notch.

 

[Dorymae]

I suggest you contact Cindy who posted giving away some mica samples. It would be more than enough for your first several batches.

 

[hlee]

I have used BB lemon verbena . I did not have much trouble but it was a simple 2 layer soap.
I soap on the cool side and that may have helped.