goji_fries
Well-Known Member
Do you guys keep all your recipes written down for future notes or critique and tweaking? I find writing them down and keeping notes has helped tremendously.
Keeping recipe notes
- Thread starter goji_fries
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I print the recipe each time I make it and make notes on it then put it in a binder. Especially how a particular eo/fo behaved or didn't behave and colorant measurments or additives.
A lot of people do - when reading the threads people will mention it now and then. It just makes sense so that anything that was good/bad can be replicated/avoided in the future.
I print each recipe for each batch. I put the name of the soap and date at the top, that way I know exactly which batch it is. I write the company I bought the EO from, and all additives on the page. I write EVERYTHING down on that paper. I have a horrible memory, so if it does not get written down, it did not happen. I record how long it took to trace, method, any issues, etc. I also make a batch tag that goes on the basket that holds the curing soap that matches the name of the soap and has a date on it. This helps me get to the batch page in the binder.
My binder has a different section for each type of soap: bath bars, shampoo bars, salt bars, liquid hand soap, liquid "house" soaps(laundry, dish, 100% CO paste for scrubbing, aphid control soap). Each section divider is one of those pocket dividers, so I have some place to put recipes I want to try. I also have a failed batch section. I write down everything on those pages. This way I know what I did that I never want to repeat. I always check that section before making a new recipe. Thankfully, I have not had any recent additions to that section.
So, yes, I do indeed write down everything and save all of those. If I don't learn from my own mistakes...there's a name for that...
My binder has a different section for each type of soap: bath bars, shampoo bars, salt bars, liquid hand soap, liquid "house" soaps(laundry, dish, 100% CO paste for scrubbing, aphid control soap). Each section divider is one of those pocket dividers, so I have some place to put recipes I want to try. I also have a failed batch section. I write down everything on those pages. This way I know what I did that I never want to repeat. I always check that section before making a new recipe. Thankfully, I have not had any recent additions to that section.
So, yes, I do indeed write down everything and save all of those. If I don't learn from my own mistakes...there's a name for that...
goji_fries
Well-Known Member
Here's an example. After the batch is done I write it to a doc. This is one (of 4) I did yesterday:
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That's awesome!
I am afraid I still keep paper records. I am just not computer literate enough to try to do that.
I got Office 365 last week, and I installed it on the computer. I know I did. I just can't find it. I have looked everywhere. I am going to admit defeat soon, and let my son remotely access my computer to find it and make me an icon to click.
So, you see, the thought of keeping that soap info in the computer rather frightens me. I understand I need a back up plan in case of a fire, but I just need to work out the particulars. Maybe Google Drive...
I am afraid I still keep paper records. I am just not computer literate enough to try to do that.
I got Office 365 last week, and I installed it on the computer. I know I did. I just can't find it. I have looked everywhere. I am going to admit defeat soon, and let my son remotely access my computer to find it and make me an icon to click.
So, you see, the thought of keeping that soap info in the computer rather frightens me. I understand I need a back up plan in case of a fire, but I just need to work out the particulars. Maybe Google Drive...
goji_fries
Well-Known Member
If you need a free office program try 'libreoffice". It is a linux program that works on windows computers. 100% legit and free.
navigator9
Well-Known Member
Susie, is it possible it's in your "download" folder, and just hasn't been installed yet? Happened to me once.
I use Soapmaker software and I copy all my notes from the paper recipe to the "notes" section of the recipe on the software. On SM, I can trace back each ingredient to it's source and batch # - which is wonderful. I don't know what I'd do without it. You can even store a picture of the soap with the recipe. I've had it since 2007 and I highly recommend it to anyone who has as much trouble as I do at staying organized.
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The same here. I make my notations in the recipe for each batch to keep for further reference.
Earthen_Step
Well-Known Member
I use LibreOffice programs as well, <3 opensource!
What I normally do is print out my recipe and make a copy on my computer. I make notes if any adjustments were needed and if anything odd happened on the printout. Then I'll transfer those notes back to my computer backup. I will keep my printout with my soap as it cures, so I know how long it's been curing. Makes it easier for me to keep track.
I also use the free version of "EssentialPIM", I use this for the calendar. When I make a batch I'll have the EPIM program notify me 1 day in advance before I go rotate my curing soap. Then I have it trigger again telling me my soap is completely cured and ready to go. Sometimes I forget to plug the info into EPIM, but I always have my paper printout with my soap.
snappyllama
Supporting Member
I use Evernote to keep notes. I like that I have reminders that I can set-up to keep track of cure dates. I use the chrome plugin to copy the recipe right from SoapCalc. Everything (additives, colorants, soaping temp) is kept on each note including pictures.
JustBeachy
Well-Known Member
I use soap maker 3 for specific base recipe notes. For each batch I create this spreadsheet and print it out before the mix. Then I scribble all over it while I'm mixing, pouring, gelling, etc. When I'm done and it's a mess, I just type the new notes back into the spreadsheet. At the end of a month, I have a clean concise record of the soap. Easy to find, easy to save.
This.....
Becomes this...
This.....
Becomes this...
I looked there first(learned that the hard way), then I looked in Program Files, then I did a search of the C drive. Nope, no where to be found. I hate Windows 8.1!
My system is pretty much 'old school'......
For each batch that I make, I print a copy of my recipe out on SoapCalc and label it at the top it with the date and the fragrance used, and I jot down all my additives used in the 'notes' section on the bottom. This then gets hole-punched in the margin and placed in a loose-leaf notebook in chronological order (newest batch always on top).
Then, in an 8.5 X 11 lined Black n' Red notebook: http://blacknred.com/ , I write down the date and fragrance and all the nitty-gritty details about each individual batch in cursive long-hand with a pen, just like one would write in a diary. And I make sure to leave enough room at the end of each entry to write any follow-up notes.
Then I go to my calendar hanging on the wall and mark down when each batch will be done curing.
IrishLass
For each batch that I make, I print a copy of my recipe out on SoapCalc and label it at the top it with the date and the fragrance used, and I jot down all my additives used in the 'notes' section on the bottom. This then gets hole-punched in the margin and placed in a loose-leaf notebook in chronological order (newest batch always on top).
Then, in an 8.5 X 11 lined Black n' Red notebook: http://blacknred.com/ , I write down the date and fragrance and all the nitty-gritty details about each individual batch in cursive long-hand with a pen, just like one would write in a diary. And I make sure to leave enough room at the end of each entry to write any follow-up notes.
Then I go to my calendar hanging on the wall and mark down when each batch will be done curing.
IrishLass
MamaReenie
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I used to print each recipe and take notes, it was great...until I temporarily lost them. Now I use OneNote, I paste the recipe from SoapCalc and take notes for every batch including: date made, type of mold used, additive amount used, and step by step notes on how to do designs,etc. beforehand.
I also have a section for the molds and how much soap each one can hold.
I also have a section for the molds and how much soap each one can hold.
I do it old school and use paper - I have a template I print out (9 to a sheet of printer paper) and I fill it out with info for EVERY batch I make, since there's differences in every batch I find. I store my cut soaps on a shelf to dry out, so I tape the info sheet (about 2.5"x3") to the edge of the shelf under the corresponding bar. Makes my life SO much easier when I need to replicate, or figure out where I went wrong.
For what it's worth, my template shows the batch#, soap name, pour/cut date and time, liquid type/amount, lye amount/SF%, ingredients (oils and additives, and their total amounts), as well as a space for notes at the bottom. I'm pretty thorough as to the notes I keep!
For what it's worth, my template shows the batch#, soap name, pour/cut date and time, liquid type/amount, lye amount/SF%, ingredients (oils and additives, and their total amounts), as well as a space for notes at the bottom. I'm pretty thorough as to the notes I keep!
I'm a mix of "new and old school". I use soapcalc on my iPad while I'm making soap, writing things down as I go. Then I print two copies. I put one in my notebook and one with the soap. Found I really need the one to stay with the soap all the way through its life because not only am I "old school" but I'm old even that I can't be responsible for my memory even more!
