How to soap safely with health issues

[Saponista]

I suffer from epilepsy too and have grand mal seizures, but still manage to soap. I think the key to not getting stressed and ending up forgetting things due to brain fog is organisation, organisation, organisation. Weigh everything out line it all up in the order that you need it, even get the oils melted before you start with the lye. Then hopefully it will all run smoothly. The more you batches you make the more confident you will become. I also don't make enormous batches so if something did happen to me, I couldn't cause myself as much injury.

 

[Susie]

I don't masterbatch, but here is a thread on how to do it:

http://www.soapmakingforum.com/showthread.php?t=27544&highlight=masterbatching

Run your recipes by folks here(including the fact that you masterbatched the lye/water and how much additional water you are adding) before making any soap. We will help you know what to expect from that soap and how to make it better(if it needs tweaking).

 

[Cactuslily]

I'm very lucky to have great docs. There is such a thing as seronegativity. You can actually be ANA positive and seroconvert later. I'm glad you have a good doc. Google "but you don't look sick.com"
It has a copy of the spoon theory. I think there's a forum, but I've never used it. I wish I did have people to be around when I soap or just for coffee, but I'm alone 99% of the time. My husbands a doc, and works tons of hours. I would like to try master batching they lye so ill have to read more because as of now I don't understand it, but it's a great idea for minimizing contact and handling of lye. Wishing everyone a great day!

 

[Cactuslily]

Just saw the above posts. Thanks for the link to master batching lye!

 

[Cindy2428]

I created a worksheet for myself which lets me check things off as I go. I attach my recipe from soapcalc. I find I scribble notes all over the place, but it helps keep me organized. Attached is a new one - feel free to copy, modify as you please.

View attachment High Coconut HP Trial.pdf

 

[lionprincess00]

I'm seronegative on all markers, but my rheumatologist says just because the tests show negative doesn't mean I am. She says they don't know all the markers for these diseases, and just because I'm neg of the markers they do know doesn't mean I don't have markers, it just means they don't know which mine are yet.
Cindy, that is an AWESOME worksheet! I bet many would LOVE something like this, kudos for sharing!!!

 

[Cactuslily]

You all are too kind! I never imagined I'd get so much help. To everyone who has taken the time, I sincerely thank you. Cindy2428, thanks for the worksheet!

 

[Cindy2428]

You're more than welcome. Re-typing things out may seem excessively redundant for some, but it's helped me with my confidence as I go along. It's nice to think I can help another newbie. I've learned so much here and would like to contribute.

 

[Cookie]

Great worksheet, thanks for sharing it. I'm going to start using it straight away. What does INCI stand for?

 

[lionprincess00]

International nomenclature or the technical terms for the items you use. The inci terms are required for cosmetics, not soap, but if you make cosmetic claims on your soaps, you need inci terms. I see most soapers use both terms on labels.
Example, inci in parentheses

Coconut Oil (Cocos Nucifera), Olive Oil (Olea Europaea)

Edit, check out this page. It's got a ton of terms for you and all your ingredients!
http://www.lotioncrafter.com/lotioncrafter-premium-ingredients-inci.html

 

[Cookie]

Thanks very much lionprincess, will have a look at your link