I want to gift, but I'm a newbie

[Cactuslily]

Hello soapers, I'd like some input. While I'm sure many of you are proficient enough to sell your lovely soaps, I wouldn't dare do that. Way too early in the learning process. Maybe after a few years of constant soaping...maybe. At this point I'd be terrified of hurting someone. That would be irresponsible on my part. However, I'd like to gift some soap. How can I be sure it's safe. I hear a lot about the zap test, but in all honesty I've never experienced that, which is concerning. What do you think? Should I test out my batches myself and then gift them? I really need to post pics so you all can diagnose some problems. I think it's soda ash, but I want to be sure.

 

[The Efficacious Gentleman]

If you are safe using a soap, chances are that it is safe. If it is cured and you use it with no issues at all, I would say it is not lye heavy. Another good thing about waiting until after it is cured and you are using it yourself is that you know if the recipe itself is worthy of giving to other people!

 

[Dorymae]

If you want to know what Zap feels like put your tongue on a new 9 volt battery for a second. Yes really. What you feel is what a lye heavy soap would feel like if you put your tongue to it. ( that is a zap test). It doesn't hurt so don't worry, it just zings you and feels uncomfortable but it isn't pain.

Zap testing is the quickest and surest way to tell if your soap is lye heavy. If you do get a zap all is not lost. Just wait 3-4 days and try again. Usually this is enough time for the "zap" to be gone. If not then the soap is truly lye heavy and you can either put it away for the lye to " go away" on its own ( could be a few months) or you could rebatch the soap.

Yes, as long as there is no zap and your soap has cured ( min 4 weeks - but better at 8 ) go ahead and gift your soaps. Ask friends and family to be brutally honest. Tell them you want to know what could be better rather than what they like about it. The feedback is invaluable as long as it is honest and not " to make you feel good".

 

[The Efficacious Gentleman]

...............Ask friends and family to be brutally honest. Tell them you want to know what could be better rather than what they like about it. The feedback is invaluable as long as it is honest and not " to make you feel good".

This is very important!

 

[Cactuslily]

Absolutely! I will only get better if people are honest! I've never felt the zap though. Am I doing something wrong. I was given an lovely explanation of zap here, but I've yet to feel it.

 

[lenarenee]

I've been soaping for almost a full year; and I still worry sometimes about gifting, simply because there's always a small chance someone will have a sensitivity or allergic reaction to something in the soap.

How do I handle it? !) I always use a piece of every batch of soap in the shower, and at the sink (for hands) several times. 2) bars are labeled with ingredients. Ugly labels with large letters...no fine print .3) I always tell people they're handmade, and to always test any (store bought or otherwise ) product with a patch test first. That comment has on occasion scared a few people off, but so be it.

Honestly, there are fewer ingredients in my soap, than any store bought. Unless someone has a specific allergy, there's less likely to be a reaction to my recipe because of the simplicity of the recipe.

Oh, and there are soaps that I scent with essential oils that can be an issue for delicate body parts....mints, lemongrass, clove, cinnamon, etc. I am very choosey who I give those too. None of those have caused an issue in the shower with my delicate body parts, but I still only allow close friends to have those bars....people who I can explain this too and know they hear and understand. For example, I have a friend who love spearmint....she requested I make a loaf of spearmint eo soap for her as strong scented as possible. I did - used the max amount of spearmint, also with eucalyptus to boost the scent.
But she knew the risks, and proceeded with caution (and had no issue). I make a different soap for her young son...gentler amount of spearmint eo.


Hope that helps. I'm sure they'll be lots more good information coming your way from others soon!

 

[The Efficacious Gentleman]

Absolutely! I will only get better if people are honest! I've never felt the zap though. Am I doing something wrong. I was given an lovely explanation of zap here, but I've yet to feel it.

If you are measuring correctly and making good recipes, cutting and leaving the soap to saponify and then going to test, then you are doing everything right when you don't get a zap!

 

[Cactuslily]

Thank you. Then surprisingly enough I must be doing ok. Yesterday I posted a formula for my first chosen ingredients that I ran through the calc. I was told it would trace early, but surprisingly it didn't at all. It gave me the least trouble yet. My only problem came when I mixed a mica that was vibrant green as well as yellow and blue. The green looked horrible so I put it separately. Later to learn that it morphs, which it did.another lesson learned. How do you measure out your micas when you are dividing into colors. Do you mix a full measurement, or adjust for amount being poured into? Also, can I premix micas with SAO or do I have to use oil from the recipe?

 

[Dorymae]

You can mix your mica in any oil you want. Keep in mind though any oil in addition to your recipe will increase the superfat in the recipe therefore you don't want to use more than about an ounce or so additional. If you need more than that use some of the oil from the recipe.

As for the amount to add that will vary depending on the intensity of the color you want. About a teaspoon per pound of soap is average for me. Usually I make 3 lb batches so about 1 tablespoon. However I find I use a bit less than a teaspoon per pound of soap when I make larger batches. ( not sure why- just do!)

 

[newbie]

If you want to know what the zap feels like, try it on a batch that has firmed up but not gelled or, if you don't gel at all, test a bar 12-24 hours after you have made it. Many people will make certain to rinse their mouth out afterward but I have never felt the need unless the FO tastes terrible. Unless you keep your tongue on the bar for a minute instead of a split second, your tongue will not be hurt or burned. It's not a bad thing to know what it is from experience!

Also, if you use a different oil to mix your micas in, make sure you put it on the label as well.

 

[Cactuslily]

Thank you. I've tested all my soaps for the zap, from 24 hours to 6 weeks, and never felt a zap. I'm worried.yesterday, was the first time I actually saw my soap go through gel phase...I think

 

[marilynmac]

Don't worry, you are probably making "safe" lye-free soap. I had the problem of not a good enough recipe, and that takes many batches to figure out.

The first few bars I gave away, from about my 4th batch, were awful. They were safe and all, just not as nice as they should be. Heavy on the CO, it was too drying for some people. So I told everyone to throw them out. embarrassing.