Made first batch of soap (from rebatch) - Newbie questions

[ilovethe80s]

I made my first batch of soap. I ordered a rebatch kit, melted it down with a little milk and powdered milk. I wanted baby blue swirls with strands of purple, but it somehow turned out mint green/ pale yellow and marbled. I have no idea why this happened since I used blue and a bit of red. Anywho, here come the onslaught of newbie questions:

1. I am happy with the marble-y look I got (aside from the unexpected color). But can I really expect to get any pretty designs with rebatch soap? I was surprised by the texture. I saw this tutorial and was excited about doing this:
http://www.teachsoap.com/swirlsoap.html

But since I am working with a big pile of heavy goop, I am thinking this can't happen?


2. I guess I want the best of both worlds - I want beautiful, unique soaps, and I want them to be all natural and great for the skin. I would love to do CP but have small children - the only way I would feel ok with this is to store the lye in the shed and actually do the process outdoors- but I suppose it should not be exposed to the cold like that?

3. Lastly, a few M&P questions:
I have read that a bar of M&P soap is only good for a week (once it gets wet). Is that true? Also, M&P soaps are not as good for the skin? I am wondering if I can maybe combine the two - like do my rebatch thing, and after I pour into a mold, top it with M&P and do the swirl (yes, I am desperate for this swirl effect). That way the bulk of my soap is cold process, and the pretty stuff on top is the M&P. Anyone have any luck with this?

I really had fun with the rebatch, my toddler got involved as well and we had a blast. I think we're already hooked

 

[brambleberry]

Hi ILoveThe80s,

I don't typically get great swirls with rebatching soap. It's more of a mashed potatoes oatmeal type of glop - and that doesn't swirl. There's a great rebatching tutorial here:

http://moonstruckmagic.blogspot.com/200 ... i-was.html

Lye is fine being exposed to the cold. It's the air that can be a problem because lye absorbs moisture from the air. You are right though - lye and small children aren't a great mix together so it's great that you're being so safety conscious.

Melt and pour will last longer than a week so long as they are kept dry on a draining soap dish. Cold process soap versus melt and pour is a personal preference thing. I switch back and forth based on my mood and what's available. =)

Happy soaping!

Anne-Marie
www.brambleberry.com
blog: www.soapqueen.com

 

[ilovethe80s]

Thanks Anne-Marie,

I think I will try out the melt and pour base as well, I suppose I don't always need to stick to the same stuff anyway, it will be nice to have variety.