Hello from Dallas Texas

[KariHomanShannon]

Hello, I'm new here and relatively new to soap making. Hi All!!! I was watching a soap maker's youtube and she said about anytime you mix water and oil the oil goes rancid, so my question is, can you use a 1:1 ration of water to lye or leave out the water altogether? What purpose does the liquid / water serve?

Thanks for any answers....

Kari

 

[Hazel]

Hi Kari,

Welcome to the forum!

Your comment about the mix of water and oil going rancid doesn't make sense to me. Could you post the link so I can watch the video?

Thanks.

 

[Deda]

Welcome

Can you post a link to that video? I really want to see what she's talking about.

A 1:1 ratio is a bit tricky, especially without many many batches under your belt. I wouldn't recommend it for anyone, except in the case of a %100 olive oil.

You say relatively new to soaping, what's your current method and what have you tried in the past?

I've never tried, considered, or heard of anyone ever not using water.

 

[KariHomanShannon]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0VEJ4uE5kQ&NR=1&feature=fvwp"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0VEJ4uE ... ature=fvwp[/ame]

actually after I posted this question, I decided to try it on a one bar batch and see. (the 1:1 not the 0:1) It seems to work well with botanicals and seize with scented oils. But the soap that seized I was able to still mix with a potato masher and make into soap balls so it still worked out well.

I've tried hot process, hate it. I use CP and whipped, and in the past have done well with whipped, but it's been over a year and now it's not working so well, so I'm finding CP is better. (I was using Nizzy's video tutorial and now can't find it - here's the site... http://nizzymoulds.com/Whipped/index.htm) I don't have the patience for the towels / cure / etc. (Plus I don't currently make any big batches and don't have a lot of molds, so I need it to set up and pop out of molds quickly so I can keep going... )

 

[Hazel]

Okay, she wasn't talking about soapmaking when she mentioned the oil and water. The reference wasn't about rancidity. It was about an effective preservative against bacteria when making creams. She was saying that without a preservative water and oil will go bad. I understand now.

She has beautiful products and her packaging is lovely. I just hope she isn't promoting the soaps the way she discussed them. She was basically saying one of her soaps would heal eczema and another was good for depression. Unless she's done clinical testing, I think she could run afoul of the FDA.

coco -

Have you tried using washed out milk cartons as a mold? I've heard they work well.

 

[KariHomanShannon]

yeah, I know about the care needing to be taken in making claims...

good idea for the milk cartons, I'm lactose intolerant and don't eat a lot of cereal (as in can't find a "milk" that tastes like milk", but I do enjoy hitting the dollar stores for drawer dividers, plastic eggs, etc... it's fun to use "found object" molds!!!! =)

I'm actually really liking the 1:1 ratio of lye to water... it's working well for me. We'll see how it cures and works....

 

[Hazel]

Now is a good time to be hitting the dollar stores and places like Walmart, Target, etc. You might find some silicone molds on clearance. Other people have said they've used the inexpensive plastic drawer dividers.

I'm sure there's a lot more items you can use for molds but I can't think of any right now. I think there was a post awhile back about different items being used for molds.

 

[KariHomanShannon]

Thanks Hazel, I'll definitely have to check it out.

Here's the "public" link to my soap pictures if you don't want to add me as a friend on facebook (though you're certainly welcome to... ) just make sure you mention soap in the friend request....

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=4 ... 1c05664cdf

I've got some pringles cans that I have been thinking of, but don't usually make batches that big. (as in I don't have a lot of friends who are willing for me to constantly be giving them soap before they've successfully used up the last batch I gave them... ) So I tend to make more one bar batches so I can experiment with additives and botanicals.

I did make some and take it to work to put next to the coffee pot / sink as there wasn't any soap there, and have been thinking about making single serve soaps that I could take to work and leave on a tray in the breakroom for people....

I'd love to learn how to make the single serve rose petals... I've seen where you buy a silk rose and cut it up and dip the pieces in soap, but that seems wasteful and less cost effective. If you've got any ideas I'm game. I'm thinking maybe med trace poured onto frozen cookie sheet, shaped, and then scraped off???

 

[Hazel]

I already looked at your soaps and posted a comment on your other thread.

I believe the rose petals are generally made with MP. I suppose you could use CP but it might be a pain. sygrid works with thin slices of soap but she's developed special molds. Her work is fabulous. The links below might give you some inspiration.

http://soapmakingforum.com/forum/viewto ... highlight=
http://soapmakingforum.com/forum/viewto ... highlight=
http://soapmakingforum.com/forum/viewto ... highlight=
http://soapmakingforum.com/forum/viewto ... highlight=

 

[KariHomanShannon]

Those are AWESOME!!!! Thanks for sharing. I think I might order the peony mold as soon as I can figure out how. I think it says you have to call / email, which I will do as soon as I pay bills... bleck.

While there, I also stumbled across:

http://lynnzartisansoapsandcandles.blogspot.com/

and

http://www.lovinsoap.com/

both worth a lengthy gander... Thanks so much for your help, I really REALLY appreciate it...

 

[Hazel]

I don't think I really helped. I didn't answer your lye question because I'm not experienced enough with soapmaking.

sygrid (Lorie) is a lovely person. She's very good about answering questions. I wish I was half as talented as her. Lyn and agriffin are also very talented and generous about sharing. I'm glad you found their blogs. They're another two soapers that when I see their soaps I think "If I was half as good..."

 

[Deda]

Those are AWESOME!!!! Thanks for sharing. I think I might order the peony mold as soon as I can figure out how. I think it says you have to call / email, which I will do as soon as I pay bills... bleck.

While there, I also stumbled across:

http://lynnzartisansoapsandcandles.blogspot.com/

and

http://www.lovinsoap.com/

both worth a lengthy gander... Thanks so much for your help, I really REALLY appreciate it...

Lovinsoap.com is one of our moderators, agriffin. She's very talented.

 

[KariHomanShannon]

Ah good to know... Thanks for the heads up on that and yes I completely agree re: the talent!!!