I need more knowledge!

[blue hill]

Ok, so ive read three soaping books do far, spent every night for the past two months (or more)online reading soaping resources and i still dont think i know enough. Im definitely lacking in the technique area. I feel like theres a lot of information im missing out on. Where do i go next? Did anyone else feel like that or is it just me? Perhaps its info overload, i just feel confused sometimes i want to try everything at once...ughh. :? What is this?

 

[carebear]

technique is very much a matter of experience. if you've read a lot then it's time to make soap.

start simple - perhaps an olive oil castile (95% olive oil, 5% castor oil). this will move very slowly so you will have time to see what is happening and make decisions as you go. Or a lard soap.

I personally started with an HP batch but I think a CP batch for your first would be just as good.

Don't use a fragrance oil for the first batch, no milk or sugar, no color even - just get a feel for the process of making soap. See what it looks and feels like, see what happens at each step, see how your mold choice works out, see what it's all about.

 

[honor435]

Ok, so ive read three soaping books do far, spent every night for the past two months (or more)online reading soaping resources and i still dont think i know enough. Im definitely lacking in the technique area. I feel like theres a lot of information im missing out on. Where do i go next? Did anyone else feel like that or is it just me? Perhaps its info overload, i just feel confused sometimes i want to try everything at once...ughh. :? What is this?

what method do you want to do? I started out w hp in the crockpot, its easy, becuase you dont have to have your oils and lye any certain temp, you just put your oils in crock( on high), then add your lye mixture, stir with stick blender til you see trails from blender,( called trace) then cook for about 45, you will see a ring starting on the outer edge, and when the ring is gone it is done, stir well( by hand) and add color and scent (1/2 ounce per lb of soap) then glop into pam sprayed molds or waxed paper,
if you do cp, you have to have your oils and lye between 90-110, then mix add color and smell, put into lined mold, unmold in 24, then cure for 2-4 wks! Im impatient and wanted to use it asap.
good luck email me any time [email protected]. It does seem overwhelming, but once you do it, its not so bad! Welcome to the "addiction"

 

[Soapmomma]

I've been there bluehill, i remember sweating and shaking my first time using lye. I read so much I scared myself to death! After that first batch I was left wondering what in the world took me so long to start. I've only been making soap a little under a year now, so no expert by any definition but what helped me was picking one simple recipe to start with.

Like carebear said,I would start with no colors, no scents just plain soap to get a feel for what stages your soap is going to go through. I did use colors and scents and was really overwhelmed. I picked CP for my first batch and burned out my stick blender really fast, so be careful to let your blender rest before it gets too hot. Choose a small test batch size, if you mess up it won't feel so bad just losing 1 lb of oils and a little lye. Make sure you have everything you need gathered and easy to reach. Make beautiful soap!

I'm sure others will have some good advice but you will be amazed at how fun it is and how proud you'll be of your very own soap

 

[Jeremy]

I agree with everyone, the only way to learn how to make soap is to get your hands dirty. I also read till my eyes bled, and spent hours researching online but I am now finding that the greatest learning tool of all is experience.
My first batch was cold process, no fragrance, or colour, just oils and water and lye. It is actually very easy to make soap, the trick (which I am so far away from) is to make good soap.
My advice is learn the basics, take all the safety precautions, use somebody elses recipes to start and most of all have fun with it.
Oh yeah, and get a stik blender, I have spoon traced and didn't get any more satisfaction from going old school.

 

[cdwinsby]

When I start a new batch, I always plan it out on paper first.

I'll have my recipe and all of my additives measured out and ready to go.

Then I'll start to make the soap.

Try running the process through your head a couple of times to make sure you've remembered everything before you begin.

I've found organization and notes to be key to consistently successful batches.