hello - new liquid soap maker

[ATL-Soap]

hi everyone, i am new to the forum and excited to both learn and contribute. i'm in atlanta, ga and i am interested in making liquid soap from scratch.

made my first batch yesterday and unfortunately, have to call it a failure. i used olive oil with small amount of coconut oil...think i might have mixed it too long - it became a very thick tough paste initially...then i cooked the paste for 4+ hours (in double boiler) and it really never became translucent...finally, it would not dissolve in water...there are still large glumps of paste 2 days on...

i look forward to diagnosing my issues and giving it another try!

thanks!
chris

 

[raine]

welcome to the forum. I never made liquid soap, new to soapmaking myself. I use the cold process method and have had pretty good success with my soaps. I really have to tell you though with each batch I always learn something more, so keep it up and maybe some experienced soap maker will give you some tips on how to improve it.

 

[CarmenJean]

HEy Chris.

Welcome here. You'll find loads of help from everyone!

Quick question - did you use Potassium Hydroxide or Sodium Hydroxide? or both? Quite a crucial element of liquid soaps. I have made liquid soap, and it's looooovely!!

 

[donniej]

Hello and welcome!

As Carmen said, you need to be using potassium hydroxide (aka KOH or caustic potash) for liquid soap.

Your experience sounds correct. You should heat the water/soap mixture and gently stir. That should do it...

 

[ATL-Soap]

Thanks. Yes, I did use KOH - I followed a recipe I got from a liquid soap book. My two "guesses" are that

1) I "over traced" the soap initially (if there is such a thing)...meaning I used the stick blender too long...when I finished, I could barely stir the soap...before placing it into the double boiler

2) I didn't heat the double boiler enough....I used a canning pot with the sire insert...such that the boiling water did not touch the bottom of the inner soap pot...I'm thinking this may not have allowed the soap paste to cook enough...

As if this wasn't enough, I had great trouble diluting the paste (it would not melt all the way...but instead kind of gelled...)....and when I added the buffer citric acid solution, it curdled....

I'm throwing this one out and starting over...one down probably several to go

 

[Guest]

Hi welcome to the forum , it is great to have you here with us.

Kitn

 

[CarmenJean]

Before trying the same recipe again - I'd research other recipes and compare them to see if there are any different instructions and techniques.

In the recipe I use, you stick blend until you can't anymore - but that's in a slowcooker. It's made into a paste, which is then diluted. But that's just one way of doing it ... there are many roads that lead to the same destination. :wink: As I was told when I started - research, research, and research some more. Don't worry - you'll get it.

 

[artisan soaps]

..

 

[MikeInPdx]

Hello and welcome.....I have yet to make a batch of liquid soap, although I really need to try it.

 

[ATL-Soap]

2nd try - good!

Hi folks, my second attempt at liquid soap was a success! Lessons learned include:

1- don't blend too long after trace
2- when diluting, use a lot more water for recipes high in olive oil...

Now I am experimenting with scenting with essential oils...

Hope to find more liquid soap makers here on the forum!!!

Thanks!

 

[Guest]

Oh we have liquid soapmakers alright -- even one that uses glycerin
from bio-diesel processing.

 

[ATL-Soap]

Have we ever thought about creating a new section on the site for liquid soap? Most of what I see pertains to CP and.or bar soap making...

 

[cwayneu]

We've only done a couple of liquid batches. They were semi-successful. They worked well, but the FO seemed to fade or smell a little odd after awhile. We have just been having too much fun with CP soaps so far (swirls, shapes, and layers) to spend much time with liquids.

 

[fireweed]

same problem!

I too am new to liquid soap making and have had the same problem with my high olive oil:coconut ratio recipe as ATL. It was all going well, got to the paste stage, then it turned into pudding again and won't budge! Now it's in the over because I can't keep boiling water all day... ATL, did you just throw everything out and start a fresh batch with new ingredients? My boiling water DID touch the bottom of the pot and I didn't over-trace the mixture, so I wonder what the deal is?

Any comments or suggestions are VERY welcome )

 

[gardengoat]

HI ATL-Soap! Sometimes my paste gets like concrete & I'll just add a bit more water to it. Will have to just about chop it into it with the edge of the spoon or potato masher. It will eventually soften up & absorb once it gets hot enough.

Glad your second batch did better for you!