I did it !!! My first Batch

[abigtroutt]

My wife and I made our first batch of soap

I used the soap calc and it worked out great !!!! Thanks Soapmaker Man!! I learned it on your walmart thread!!

Well here what I did and please let me know what you think good or bad stuff I also need to know how to improve also!

4 pound loaf

Coconut 55%
Olive 23.7%
Safflower 15%
Castor 6.3%

also I added 1 oz of orange EO, 1/4 oz of lavender EO, 3/4 tbs of paprika and a small jar of baby food carrots (for color) added at trace.

Hardness 48
Cleansing 37
Condition 45
Bubbly 43
Creamy 17
Iodine 52
INS 181

 

[abigtroutt]

Pictures

 

[Haven]

Congratulations!! It sure feels good, doesn't it?

I'm not sure how happy you're going to be with it, I'm afraid it's going to be really drying.

Here are the guidelines that Soap Calc recommends for the numbers

Hardness 36 to 50
Cleansing 14 to 22
Condition 45 to 80
Bubbly lather 14 to 33
Creamy lather 16 to 35

As you can see, your cleansing numbers are really high. It might be great for greasy hands, but it's going to be harsh on your skin. I never do more than 22% Coconut. I'd bring the coconut down and bump the olive. I also love lard in soaps, it gives such a nice creaminess.

Just keep reading and learning and you'll do great!

 

[digit]

It looks wonderful in the pics! Every batch I take out of the mold is exciting to me.

One suggestion - maybe make smaller batches (about 16 oz or so) in the beginning. I have some 2 - 3# batches that did not turn out very well. Translation............I got me a lot of funky looking soaps. I found it to be hard on my "learning" budget. On the other hand, it forced me to learn how to rebatch.

Keep on making soap and posting pics! It is addictive.

Digit

 

[mandolyn]

Congratulations!! It sure feels good, doesn't it?

I'm not sure how happy you're going to be with it, I'm afraid it's going to be really drying.

Here are the guidelines that Soap Calc recommends for the numbers

Hardness 36 to 50
Cleansing 14 to 22
Condition 45 to 80
Bubbly lather 14 to 33
Creamy lather 16 to 35

As you can see, your cleansing numbers are really high. It might be great for greasy hands, but it's going to be harsh on your skin. I never do more than 22% Coconut. I'd bring the coconut down and bump the olive. I also love lard in soaps, it gives such a nice creaminess.

Just keep reading and learning and you'll do great!

Ditto that. Now that you have a successful batch, you can start tweeking!

Congrats!!

 

[carebear]

At what level did you superfat? I have some very high CO soaps that are qutie mild - with the right supporting fats and a substantial superfat you can get away with a lot.

Bravo!

 

[heartsong]

soap

my usual lye discount is 8-10% for my rtcp gm & honey soaps. for soaps with a lot of coconut oil i will go up to 15%, but not use any milk product. so far never had any DOS! (knock on wood!)

 

[abigtroutt]

One suggestion - maybe make smaller batches (about 16 oz or so) Digit

That was my plan until I could not find a mold....lol

All I could find was a Mud holder for drywall.. it looked like it make a good loaf

 

[abigtroutt]

At what level did you superfat? I have some very high CO soaps that are qutie mild - with the right supporting fats and a substantial superfat you can get away with a lot.

Bravo!

I dont quiet understand super fatting yet. But I did add a little more oil then I should of...not very much though maybe an Oz or so.

Thank you all for your comments.

should I wait 24 or 48 hours until I cut and post picts?

 

[heartsong]

soap

yes please on the pics!

 

[abigtroutt]

Here are the pics of my first batch !!!!!!!

 

[SoaperMom]

Congrats!!! Those are some cool looking soaps. I really like the shape the mud tray gave them. Neat to see something other than just square.
You know, maybe that can be your "signature" shape.
Kelly Dawn

 

[Deda]

Very nice! I really like that orange!

Baby food carrots, you say? Great idea!

 

[mandolyn]

Great job!!!! The carrot is such a pretty color. I like the shape, too. It really is refreshing to see a new shape!!

Congrats!!

 

[Soapmaker Man]

Way to go. You are heading down the path to a very rewarding craft. Nice soapies!

Paul :wink:

 

[digit]

WOW!!! They do look fab!!! First one reminds me of cheese.

I found the box that regular checks from the bank come in is perfect for 1#. I used all kinds of boxes, some I cut and re-formed or just cut. You can calc how much oils you need for it.

SoaperMom has a great idea about it being your signature shape, too! Maybe you could get a smaller one or dam it in some way to make the loaf shorter.

Digit

 

[mamastone]

congrats, it looks great!

 

[stefanija]

first batch

Congrats.. looks awesome.