How Do You "test" Your Soap?

[Susie]

You are welcome

In my experience, it is really a thing. But I don`t know if it is just me? I am not talking about what is referred to as soda ash, but a super thin, invisible and slightly waxy layer I can`t really see. I get soda ash too, if I soap a bit cool and unmolds the soap a bit to early (I use mostly single cavity soap molds as I generously decorate the top of my soaps)

My recipe is with 60% lard. I use a 4% lye discount for the CPSR soaps (my safety asessor told me they don`t allow less than a 4%), but in my personal soaps (I make those just for our family) I always use a 3% lye discount. Still happens. But really, I am not bothered with it, it is mostly gone by the first 1-2 washes (depending on how much you rub the soap when a new one is started)

It really is a thing. I like soaps more on the 3rd to 4th wash than the first couple. I tell everyone the same thing.

 

[Mobjack Bay]

My recipe is with 60% lard. I use a 4% lye discount for the CPSR soaps (my safety asessor told me they don`t allow less than a 4%), but in my personal soaps (I make those just for our family) I always use a 3% lye discount.

This is so interesting. Are the soaps chemically analyzed for an assessment?

 

[Bubble Agent]

It really is a thing. I like soaps more on the 3rd to 4th wash than the first couple. I tell everyone the same thing.

Thanks for letting me know, Susie! I am glad it isn`t just in my head

This is so interesting. Are the soaps chemically analyzed for an assessment?

If you mean that one has to send a bar to the safety asessor for a chemical analysis and then get an assessment? No, they are not analysed in that sense. It involves a tedious process of documentation, paperwork, registering and things like that.

I don`t mind describing the process, but I don`t want to hijack this thread so it deviates from the topic @MellonFriend started.

But if anyone is interested to know the process I had to go through to get my assessments, (or that anyone have to go through to sell soap legally in the EU/EEA) I am more than happy to do so in a separate thread. It can`t really be described in just two sentenses

But I don`t know if anyone has perhaps already made such a thread/topic here in SMF?
I may have to check that first (if someone knows if such a thread already exist I would love to see it, so feel free to hit me with a link)

 

[Mobjack Bay]

@Bubble Agent I would love to read about it in a separate thread. I can’t recall seeing a thread on the assessment process, but I also tend to miss things. Mostly I’m curious about the standards. I think we’re all familiar with the EO and FO guidance by now, but the lye discounting is new to me. If they don’t actually measure the soap, how do they know if you deviate from the rule/reg on lye discounting or any other requirement?

 

[Zing]

I think it's funny how some men are like that. It's just soap, who cares what it smells like. As if using a certain smell could somehow diminish their manhood.

I won't speak for all men, just my own self, and will say my manhood is exceedingly fragile and the slightest girly smell can be powerfully damaging. Shh, don't tell anyone but the one exception is my lotion bars scented with plumeria; it is just intoxicating and I love it. Yeah, I said that, you gotta problem with that, Bub?! BUT will only use it before bed so that I don't go out in public smelling like flowers.

 

[Bubble Agent]

@Bubble Agent I would love to read about it in a separate thread. I can’t recall seeing a thread on the assessment process, but I also tend to miss things. Mostly I’m curious about the standards. I think we’re all familiar with the EO and FO guidance by now, but the lye discounting is new to me. If they don’t actually measure the soap, how do they know if you deviate from the rule/reg on lye discounting or any other requirement?

Actually, they don`t, so that is why we also have to register with the Norwegian Food Safety Authority ('called Mattilsynet') which is free of charge. Then we also have to register in the EU portal (which is a more indepth registration hassle..)

I`ll make a separate thread, then I will explain a bit more about what it takes to get all the ducks in a row

 

[Basil]

I won't speak for all men, just my own self, and will say my manhood is exceedingly fragile and the slightest girly smell can be powerfully damaging. Shh, don't tell anyone but the one exception is my lotion bars scented with plumeria; it is just intoxicating and I love it. Yeah, I said that, you gotta problem with that, Bub?! BUT will only use it before bed so that I don't go out in public smelling like flowers.

Hi @Zing! I’ve been testing plumeria .. can I ask if you use EOs or a FO ( I didn’t think you used?) and where you get it? Thanks!
Edit— sorry didn’t mean to highjack !

 

[MellonFriend]

I don't mind high jacking since I already got my answers.

 

[Zing]

Hi @Zing! I’ve been testing plumeria .. can I ask if you use EOs or a FO ( I didn’t think you used?) and where you get it? Thanks!
Edit— sorry didn’t mean to highjack !

It's a FO, like the only FO I've ever used -- I usually use all EOs. I got several bottles -- little 1.5 oz jobbies -- when I was in Hawaii, and I forget the brand name. Our good good friends from Hawaii just visited us last week and brought me some more, brand name is Jungle Love. It smells nice -- but not as intoxicating as the forgotten brand name.

Continuing to highjack here, I've also taken to making lotion bars with kukui nut oil which I was surprised I can find in my local Whole Foods. The oil is delicious to skin and is a home remedy for sunburn (Mrs. Zing got a turrible sunburn in Hawaii, ). It has a wonderful nutty scent that I love too -- and much more masculine for my fragile manhood.

 

[Basil]

It's a FO, like the only FO I've ever used -- I usually use all EOs. I got several bottles -- little 1.5 oz jobbies -- when I was in Hawaii, and I forget the brand name. Our good good friends from Hawaii just visited us last week and brought me some more, brand name is Jungle Love. It smells nice -- but not as intoxicating as the forgotten brand name.

Continuing to highjack here, I've also taken to making lotion bars with kukui nut oil which I was surprised I can find in my local Whole Foods. The oil is delicious to skin and is a home remedy for sunburn (Mrs. Zing got a turrible sunburn in Hawaii, ). It has a wonderful nutty scent that I love too -- and much more masculine for my fragile manhood.

Oh dear.. not sure where to respond .. but I saw earlier and then she reposted again yesterday? @cmzaha uses a plumeria from California Candle supply. I just got it in the mail. I tried the one Camden Grey makes but it’s not quite right, at least for me. I’m going to try the other one this week. I hope Mrs. Zing is doing well.

 

[Arimara]

i've been wondering about the same thing as i'm a beginner in soap making, thank you for this thread @MellonFriend
i like what @ResolvableOwl said and the link attached. that's really interesting for me since i love datas and things like that (thank you!)

i personally just use my soaps in the shower and trying my best to feel the difference with different recipes since i'm still looking for the right recipe that works for me (which is hard for me btw, coz my skin is not sensitive).
oh, also i takes notes on how long a bar of soap last with normal use, coz i think its important.
btw, i wonder how long a bar of soap normally last for everyone here? is there a number that's considered as 'proper long lasting' soaps?

In a word, no. Everyone's soap may last some amout of days for varying reasons like how thick we cut our bars, the recipe we used or even where we live and how often we may shower/wash with our soap.

 

[amd]

I won't speak for all men, just my own self, and will say my manhood is exceedingly fragile and the slightest girly smell can be powerfully damaging.

Please don't tell my husband he needs a fragile manhood. I appreciate that he is an equal opportunity soap user. For that matter, he has come to bed smelling of "I'm Too Sexy" because he used my lotion on his elbows... if it gets the job done, he doesn't care about the smell.

 

[Zing]

Please don't tell my husband he needs a fragile manhood. I appreciate that he is an equal opportunity soap user. For that matter, he has come to bed smelling of "I'm Too Sexy" because he used my lotion on his elbows... if it gets the job done, he doesn't care about the smell.

If you two need a theme song,

 

[Arimara]

@Zing I will pass on that video and keep the remaining childhood memories I have pure of your generation's weirdness. I actually hated that song because I thought it was Madonna level weird.

 

[WendySorel]

Thanks for letting me know, Susie! I am glad it isn`t just in my head



If you mean that one has to send a bar to the safety asessor for a chemical analysis and then get an assessment? No, they are not analysed in that sense. It involves a tedious process of documentation, paperwork, registering and things like that.

I don`t mind describing the process, but I don`t want to hijack this thread so it deviates from the topic @MellonFriend started.

But if anyone is interested to know the process I had to go through to get my assessments, (or that anyone have to go through to sell soap legally in the EU/EEA) I am more than happy to do so in a separate thread. It can`t really be described in just two sentenses

But I don`t know if anyone has perhaps already made such a thread/topic here in SMF?
I may have to check that first (if someone knows if such a thread already exist I would love to see it, so feel free to hit me with a link)

 

[WendySorel]

Hi Bubble Agent,
I would love to know about the testing process! Especially with regards to using lard as I know an organic pig farmer who can provide me with lard but how do I know if it is safely rendered fat acceptable for the safety assessment (in Europe)?
Tia

 

[Carly B]

It's a FO, like the only FO I've ever used -- I usually use all EOs. I got several bottles -- little 1.5 oz jobbies -- when I was in Hawaii, and I forget the brand name. Our good good friends from Hawaii just visited us last week and brought me some more, brand name is Jungle Love. It smells nice -- but not as intoxicating as the forgotten brand name.

Continuing to highjack here, I've also taken to making lotion bars with kukui nut oil which I was surprised I can find in my local Whole Foods. The oil is delicious to skin and is a home remedy for sunburn (Mrs. Zing got a turrible sunburn in Hawaii, ). It has a wonderful nutty scent that I love too -- and much more masculine for my fragile manhood.

And adding a new hijack, kukui nut oil is what got me into making soap and lotion to begin with. I've never used it in CP, but I have put it in M&P, lotions, and serums. I LOVE it.

 

[Bubble Agent]

Hi Bubble Agent,
I would love to know about the testing process! Especially with regards to using lard as I know an organic pig farmer who can provide me with lard but how do I know if it is safely rendered fat acceptable for the safety assessment (in Europe)?
Tia

Hi there!

I am happy to share, but I am still writing up the post on my computer, so when I`m done I am happy to post what I have learned along the way. I may take some time though, I want to be thorough. But it won`t take to long I hope. When I post it you`ll know it, as the title will totally give it away

But for now I can at least tell you that the organic lard - no matter how lovely and wonderful it may be - unfortunately will not be allowed in a safety assessed soap in the EU/UK.

Scott Graingers company did my assessment, and I was told that home rendered lard (as supposed to factory rendered lard that adds antioxidants and BHT) was not allowed because of the increased possibillity of rancidity in the soap/products. It had to come from a commercial source that had been approved by regulation to sell this type of food.

Since my lard comes from a factory that specialises in this type of fat, it had the right additives and therefore my lard was approved.

I am sorry, I totally get that would have been a great way to make good use of that organic lard though!

 

[Mistrael]

I think it's funny how some men are like that. It's just soap, who cares what it smells like. As if using a certain smell could somehow diminish their manhood.

My husband thought he was one of those guys but then I made a couple floral ones for the kids. He decided he liked them and I haven't had any problems since. One of his work buddies asked if I could make a lavender lemon soap, but he's a "manly man" so he asked quietly. They work on an assembly line, building transmissions for semis so I guess they gotta maintain their manly cred?

 

[Mistrael]

... and now I really want to find a fur-free spot to test drop my soap and see what happens.