GW 415 Questions about Soy Wax

[Scooter]

So I have decided to start making bar soap again. I was into it a few years ago but decided, for reasons, I would rather start buying it. Now, I want to get back into it with one goal in mind... I want to make long-lasting hard bar soap for washing my hands.

I do not care about lather. Indeed, for it to be hard and long lasting I want to decrease the water solubility of the soap. And I want to keep it as simple as possible. So for my first try I am using only two oils--avocado oil and fully hydrogenated soybean oil.

IIRC, fully hydrogenated soybean oil is called GW415. I know there are several different types of soy wax but if my memory serves me well the others are used mostly in candle making.

So, am I correct? Is GW 415 what I want?

My second question is, where is the best place to buy this, as far as quality/price?

Also, in my state I cannot just go into a hardware store and buy sodium hydroxide. I need an online source. Do y'all have a favorite? A few years back I would use Essential Depot for most of my soaping needs but so many online reviews of that business are really bad these days.

Thanks so much! I really appreciate your help.

 

[ackosel]

Welcome back to bar soap!

I don't know anything about soy wax, but I've gotten sodium hydroxide from Wholesale Supplies Plus and Amazon (it's the only soapmaking ingredient I get from Amazon). There are several people here who will be able to tell you all you need to know about soy wax.

 

[Nona'sFarm]

Yes GW415 is the correct wax for soap making. You can get good quality wax from Candle Science, but the last time I checked their shipping prices to Virginia were high. They might be lower for you or they may be in a convenient location for you to pick up, since they have a location in NC.

A lot of people on this forum buy the Essential Depot lye through Amazon. I think you have to buy large quantities to get a decent price per lb. So if you don't need large quantities you can check the various soaping suppliers; don't forget to factor in their shipping costs when calculating the cost. I like to get lye from Wholesale Supplies Plus and Bramble Berry, but others may have other suggestions. I would check all recommendations to see what works for you, taking into consideration both quantity and price per pound including shipping.

 

[Scooter]

Thanks for the info folks! Y'all know anything about Nature's Garden? As far as its reputation as a vendor?

 

[bookworm42]

Thanks for the info folks! Y'all know anything about Nature's Garden? As far as its reputation as a vendor?

I've used and like them.

 

[Ekuzo]

From what I understand, you can use GW 415 with no issue, but you'll have to add its SAP and fatty acid profile yourself since they are missing from the online calculators - and they are different from the fully hydrogenated soybean oil there (the one referred to as soy wax in the software). As for caustic soda - it doesn't matter where you get it from as long as it's NaOH with nothing else added and it's stored properly. Flakes, pearls - doesn't matter. But I understand why a lot of people prefer to buy from reputable soap making suppliers - because if not stored properly it gets clumped and results in weaker lye solution

 

[Scooter]

I've used and like them.

So, given the small amounts I need, plus the fact that a lot of vendors sell either soy wax or sodium hydroxide but not both, I decided to go with Nature's Garden since they hit the sweet spot for what I am looking for. Thanks for the feedback on them.