Misinformation?

[melinda48]

Exactly right. Thank you!

 

[Shelley D]

The people who fall for it and try to make soap following her method will most likely have more failures than success ~ and they will be the people who stop at your table at a market or drop a comment on your website saying that making soap isn't that easy and they will question your process to see what's different. That's when you will have a chance to to make a difference Just remember to be patient with them because this misinformation is probably what they started with

 

[dmcgee5034]

It might not make a difference, but I am one of those that does write to companies about concerns and some of them have made changes based on the feedback (and probably a bunch of other people, too). The most recent example is Splenda changing their caps on a product my hubby uses that was nearly impossible to open - my hubby is a young 60yo strong guy and he had to use pliers to open it every day. Anywho, I wrote them 3 times over an extended period and holy cow, they did eventually change it.
So I say send an email, you never know, they might appreciate some feedback.

 

[MrsZ]

Sadly, I am pretty sure that this line of products is created by The Soap Gal, someone I respected from afar before she started promulgating this kind of stuff. Her own business does a huge volume of soap for wholesale, most likely for brands like Dr. Squatch (which doesn't make its own soap within that company).

She posted on YT awhile back about a product line just like this that she was putting out in large craft stores. She has other posts about how she packages her soap quickly because it's going to spend some time on her shelves, then in shipment, then on the seller's shelves - so it almost certainly will have at least four weeks of cure by the time it is used.

What bothers me is that this model doesn't apply to the small wholesalers, who may be delivering directly to one or more fairly local stores - like the small maker/seller in my area does. There is no lag time between leaving her "manufacturing" facility, and reaching the store shelves - unless you count the drive across town, which might be an hour in the very worst of traffic.

Also, it's very disingenuous to say these things:

1. that she's only using a 50-50 lye solution. Her overall lye concentration in each batch is decreased by the water used to dissolve the salt solution;

and

2. that there are "no fumes when one makes a 50-50 lye solution." Her facility makes huge lye masterbatches using ice - again, something that the small, local wholesaler/seller isn't likely to do. So unless someone has seen her other videos, or learned from another source, one would not know that it is the ICE, not the masterbatching process or the 50-50 solution, that eliminates the fumes.

Again, this is very disappointing from someone whose work I otherwise respect.

I did some more research, and it appears that you are right about who is making it. I honestly can't believe that a professional soapmaker is promoting these ideas! I read the article out of curiosity because the products I found didn't seem self explanatory, and to me if someone is browsing Hobby Lobby and sees soapmaking stuff and decides, "hey, this could be a fun afternoon project!", the products they come across should at least have some kind of instructional/educational info on them. When I read the tutorial, I was shocked. I told my (non-soapy but always listens to me talk about soap) husband all the points I found problematic in the article, and even he was surprised at it. We both honestly assumed that it was likely an article written by AI or something.

I can see how labeling and shipping her soaps early could work out for her, as you explained the time it takes for everything to be moved and get to the consumer. However, the products in the store and the article on her page all shout "for beginners! Learn how to make soap here!" to me. If I had followed those instructions when I first started, I truly doubt I would have fallen in love with soaping. I guess I'm just frustrated that instead of teaching, the goal seems to be "use these pre-packaged products, follow my instructions, and then sell what comes out of it!".

I guess I'm really up on my soapbox today.

 

[MrsZ]

The people who fall for it and try to make soap following her method will most likely have more failures than success ~ and they will be the people who stop at your table at a market or drop a comment on your website saying that making soap isn't that easy and they will question your process to see what's different. That's when you will have a chance to to make a difference Just remember to be patient with them because this misinformation is probably what they started with

I love this, thank you!

It might not make a difference, but I am one of those that does write to companies about concerns and some of them have made changes based on the feedback (and probably a bunch of other people, too). The most recent example is Splenda changing their caps on a product my hubby uses that was nearly impossible to open - my hubby is a young 60yo strong guy and he had to use pliers to open it every day. Anywho, I wrote them 3 times over an extended period and holy cow, they did eventually change it.
So I say send an email, you never know, they might appreciate some feedback.

I may try to write an email after a while. I'm frustrated enough about it that I better wait for now.

 

[KiwiMoose]

Let's face it - who among us has become rich from making soap? Hands up!!! See - no-one. It might be a supplementary income for the small seller, or a pension top up, but no-one is living entirely off their soap sales are they (as a single maker)?
People will realise this once they try this miracle lye solution and start selling, waiting for the millions to roll in. Great marketing plan - as great as '1/4 moisturising cream". Aimed at the gullible.

 

[AliOop]

I did some more research, and it appears that you are right about who is making it. I honestly can't believe that a professional soapmaker is promoting these ideas! I read the article out of curiosity because the products I found didn't seem self explanatory, and to me if someone is browsing Hobby Lobby and sees soapmaking stuff and decides, "hey, this could be a fun afternoon project!", the products they come across should at least have some kind of instructional/educational info on them. When I read the tutorial, I was shocked. I told my (non-soapy but always listens to me talk about soap) husband all the points I found problematic in the article, and even he was surprised at it. We both honestly assumed that it was likely an article written by AI or something.

I can see how labeling and shipping her soaps early could work out for her, as you explained the time it takes for everything to be moved and get to the consumer. However, the products in the store and the article on her page all shout "for beginners! Learn how to make soap here!" to me. If I had followed those instructions when I first started, I truly doubt I would have fallen in love with soaping. I guess I'm just frustrated that instead of teaching, the goal seems to be "use these pre-packaged products, follow my instructions, and then sell what comes out of it!".

I guess I'm really up on my soapbox today.

100% agree. It's disappointing that she went this route. Then again, perhaps the manufacturer and seller decided to repackage this in a way that doesn't represent her original intentions or design - kind of like how the movie never really tracks with the book.

 

[MrsZ]

100% agree. It's disappointing that she went this route. Then again, perhaps the manufacturer and seller decided to repackage this in a way that doesn't represent her original intentions or design - kind of like how the movie never really tracks with the book.

That does make sense, let's hope that's what happened.

 

[paradisi]

Let's face it - who among us has become rich from making soap? Hands up!!! See - no-one. It might be a supplementary income for the small seller, or a pension top up, but no-one is living entirely off their soap sales are they (as a single maker)?
People will realise this once they try this miracle lye solution and start selling, waiting for the millions to roll in. Great marketing plan - as great as '1/4 moisturising cream". Aimed at the gullible.

This is what I was saying up above.

And the personality who aims at the gullible isn't interested in a long term commitment to a craft. They're after the people they can sell their kits to.

And unless they're asking for advice, they most likely won't be interested.

 

[Elise]

You can safely use soap as soon as it is saponified. However, it is not its “best self.” It will be softer and not last as long as if you actually allow it to properly cure for 4 weeks. I have, in the past, had to let go of some at 3 weeks but I can do so knowing it is not going to “hurt” anyone! It is not its best but it is usable soap. A lot of chemistry continues as long as soap sits and just becomes better and better. I, personally, do not believe that using a 1:1 ratio of water to lye makes soap usable faster. Maybe I am old-fashioned or off base but I will continue to make my soaps and let them cure at least 4 weeks (99% of the time).

Yes I know. And I also want to cure my soaps for 4 weeks. Actually I prefer even longer, at the 4 weeks mark I still find that they get less bubbly and more gooey after a couple of use. Like if they absorb moisture back too quickly. I really find that the older they are, the better. I still don't understand the chemistry that happen during long cures, but I strongly believe it happens

 

[DeeAnna]

...We both honestly assumed that it was likely an article written by AI or something....

That was the impression I got too. Maybe edited by a human, but the overall tone was that cheery "say lots without saying anything" kind of prose that AI likes to do.

I can see how labeling and shipping her soaps early could work out for her.... However, ... the articles on her page all shout "for beginners!..."...

I agree with you. In soap making, as with so many other skills, context is everything. Answers that are well suited for larger scale soapmakers producing for wholesale aren't necessarily good information to present to beginners.