How long before you sell?

[emilaid]

Hi everyone

I was wondering how long you have all been soaping for before you started to sell your soap?

How sure were you about not getting DOS or having any other probs??

I've been soaping for just over a year now and I'd like to sell my soaps one day, but I've still got lots to learn!! My earlier batches now have DOS so I've got some tweaking to do

 

[honor435]

what oils did you use? maybe we can help.
I found a few bars from 2 yrs ago, still good, crazy, I give it to my mom in law to use, not put in drawer!

 

[agriffin]

It could be how you store your soaps that you have gotten dos. Typically everyone around here recommends waiting at least a year. But I think it just personally depends on the amount of research, practical experience and such you've put into it. Sometimes it takes people longer to start selling.

 

[emilaid]

what oils did you use? maybe we can help.
I found a few bars from 2 yrs ago, still good, crazy, I give it to my mom in law to use, not put in drawer!

My recipe is PO @ 45%, CO @ 30%, OO @ 20% and Sunflower Oil @ 5%

I used 8% superfat.

Every single batch I've made has DOS - I'm gutted :cry:

I store them in my kitchen while they're curing - just on the worktop, but when I though it had been long enough I put each seperat batch into a big plastic freezer bag and put them in a cupboard. I left the top of the bags open, but I'm just realising that this might not have been the best idea!!

 

[donniej]

I spent 3 years making soap, half of which was just for fun and the other half was (still for fun but) geared towards doing it as a business. No single part is hard but there are endless little details.

Regarding DOS...
Use less superfat. Unsaponified oils DOS faster than saponified ones.
Adding an antioxidant is also a good idea.

 

[ChrisShepp]

Sunflower Oil @ 5%

I used 8% superfat.

Every single batch I've made has DOS - I'm gutted :cry:

Em,

Maybe the Sunflower? If I'm not mistaken it is one that can go rancid a little on the fast side? Perhaps there is another oil that you could sub and still have the same qualities you are seeking? Also you might knock the superfat down to 5% and see if that makes a difference.

 

[emilaid]

Thanks for all the advice!
I'm going to re-work my recipe without the sunflower oil and drop the superfat to 5% - wish me luck

 

[agriffin]

Your recipe looks good. I would really knock the superfat to 5%.

Storing in plastic bags is not a good idea. Does it get moist in your kitchen? Mine does...that's why I ask. Cardboard boxes are great.

I've also found that soaps touching is not a good idea. I think it can trap in moisture and the moisture just sitting there causes problems.

HTH

 

[Jerry S]

Those orang spots...

I agree with agriffin, cut that superfat back to 5 % and if you go less make sure you measure all your oils accurately especially if you make a small batch. I would,… if you can be sure your mixture has reached a point of trace to make sure the lye monster has worked on ALL your oils. If you do this make sure your molds are all ready to take the soap cuz it may set up pretty quick…I like your recipe… PO @ 45%, CO @ 30%, OO @ 20% but I’d loose the sunflower and substitute something else…just my opinion…
Jerry S

 

[sistrum]

I have soap with 20% sunflower oil that's over a year old and still good.
these soaps have sweated and cooled, been stored in humid, dry, cold and hot places.

I agree you should try to superfat @5% and test again.

 

[Bubbles Galore]

I noticed that some of the soaps I left directly on chrome racks got orange marks where the soap contacted the metal. Now I put paper down first and don't have problems. Just thought it was worth mentioning.

Only a couple of batches that are 2 years old went rancid on me or got DOS and these were batches with a higher % of soft oils. Plenty of goat milk soaps with 8% lye discount are still fine.

I've been soaping for 2 years and not selling. Still learning.

This is a nice recipe:

39% Olive
28% Palm
28% Coconut
5% Castor

6% lye discount