I just finished making my first batch of soap! Everything went as I was thinking it should based on my reading here and watching youtube videos. I think I achieved trace. It is now sitting in the mold waiting for tomorrow to get here. My recipe was 50% lard, 30% olive oil, 15% coconut oil, and 5% castor oil. I made a 1.5 lb batch. Worst part was being scared of the lye. I mixed it outside and of course you know that the wind hasn't blown this entire week or all day, but the minute I went to measure out the lye, it did. I don't have much ventilation in my kitchen, so I was scared to do it there. Then cleanup, that was fun. How do you manage to wipe everything down without getting the batter everywhere? Will the batter burn through my gloves? (they are just gloves used for cooking, not the heavy duty, just the thing plastic type ones) I used papertowels, but I read somewhere that I could have used rags and then washed them after a couple of days? Does anyone else do that?
Now, for my serious question, how scared of lye should I be? I mean, I am holding the lye container like it's a nuclear weapon that is going to explode on me :mrgreen:. I mixed this outside, but was afraid that I was going to drop some on the ground and cause all kinds of problems. I am assuming most people are afraid their first couple of times? (Please tell me I am not the only one and that I will get over this and be able to enjoy making soap)
Anyway, my sweet darling husband made me a wood mold to hold the silicone mold so that hopefully the bars come out nicely shaped. When I unmold, I will post pics of the soap (hopefully) and the wooden case he made me.
Thanks for everyone's help!
Now, for my serious question, how scared of lye should I be? I mean, I am holding the lye container like it's a nuclear weapon that is going to explode on me :mrgreen:. I mixed this outside, but was afraid that I was going to drop some on the ground and cause all kinds of problems. I am assuming most people are afraid their first couple of times? (Please tell me I am not the only one and that I will get over this and be able to enjoy making soap)
Anyway, my sweet darling husband made me a wood mold to hold the silicone mold so that hopefully the bars come out nicely shaped. When I unmold, I will post pics of the soap (hopefully) and the wooden case he made me.
Thanks for everyone's help!