My first batch of soap!

[jgallardo]

I made my very first batch of soap about 2 1/2 weeks ago. I ordered a kit that said it would make 2- 2lb batches. I made them together to make a 4lb batch, but there was not enough olive oil in the kit, so I used the rest out of my kitchen(probably not the exact same). I was using colors, so I separated out the mixture into each container w/ color. I then added fragrance oil, but was not sure how much to add to each, so I just guessed. The soap started setting up way too quick and I pretty much had to spoon it into the mold. It actually turned out pretty good. I tried to cut it after about 48 hours, but got the "drag marks on it and it seemed too soft, so I waited a few more days. It is curing now and smells good. I can't wait to use it! Any suggestions for this newbie?

Thanks!
Jessica

 

[The Efficacious Gentleman]

Welcome!

My suggestion is to read almost every post going back about 10 pages in the cp forum and this one.

Seriously, doing that you will get a great deal of information on the sorts of things that can pop up in soaping. I get the feeling too many people only read their threads and then go on to make the same mistake as someone else just because they hadn't read the other threads.

It also helps you to learn a lot about the oils used and the reasons why which helps in developing your own recipes and so on.

Above all, enjoy!

 

[Susie]

^What Effy said!

In addition to that, bookmark the following links. They are some of the excellent resources available here.

http://www.soapmakingforum.com/showthread.php?t=32055

http://www.soapmakingforum.com/showthread.php?t=49627

http://www.soapmakingforum.com/showthread.php?t=2909

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet...UVFTXY5M2o4MVRMZm4wdFE&authkey=CMTEtswL#gid=0

Those are just to get started. If you have limited time, and can't make it through the whole 10 pages of the CP forum before your need to make soap overwhelms you, at least get the stickies read, and any threads that sound like people are new or have a failed batch. Learning from other's mistakes and what the solutions are will teach you lots. Repeat that on the beginner's forum.

 

[navigator9]

Congrats! Soapmaking is really fascinating. My suggestion is the one newbies never want to hear. Start simple until you know what you're doing. No color, no swirls, no fragrance. Work on the recipe and the process first, the rest, later. It's hard to wait. Everyone wants soap that smells good and looks pretty, but if you get the basics down first, if you learn to formulate a really good recipe, you'll have the foundation to do anything you want later, and many fewer problems along the way. Enjoy the adventure!

 

[Luckyone80]

Congrats, I would love to see pics of it!

 

[Relle]

jgallardo - if putting up pics - please post them in the Photo Gallery, thank you.

 

[new12soap]

Hi, Jessica. Congrats on your first batch of soap!

My suggestions would be to make smaller batches. In my opinion it was more important to have the experience of making two batches of soap than to have 4 pounds of soap at once. A 2lb batch size is a good starting place for beginners, enough to give you some cushion in your measurements, not so much that you waste a lot of supplies if it doesn't work out.

Now that you have made soap from a kit, read up on what properties the different oils bring to the soap and start working on developing your own recipes.

As the others have said, read all you can, and start slow. Learn the process first, then start adding fragrances and colors and swirls.

HTH

 

[JustBeachy]

Welcome to the madness. There is no cure.

 

[seven]

congrats on making your very first soap next step is to formulate on your own. there are plenty of info on basic recipes floating around here. part of the fun in soapmaking is, of course, formulating your own recipe(s)