New to Soap Making, have questions

[Rigo76443]

I just started making soap and have researched, read, and watch as much youtube video's as i could find before i started.

I used a soap cal to make my first batch with recipe listed below

Coconut oil 8 oz
Grapeseed oil 8 oz
Olive oil 25 oz
Palm oil 4 oz

1 oz Lavender FO's , i probably should of added way more oz of FO

Lye 6.414 oz
Water 14.85 oz

yielding 66.26 oz


I let it set for 3 days before i removed from molds i put them in and i have read all about the zap test so i tried it. I do get a lite zap but nothing strong.

Anyways, it is not enough to hurt on zap just kind of a tingle. I figure maybe at least for hand soap or would it be ok for body soap?

i am in the curing process now and i might let it set for 4 weeks then zap test again.


My second batch i tried i did a smaller amount of materials and when i used soap cal for lye amount i rounded it down to the oz. so this time no zap when i tested soap after 2 days in mold.


i would like to say this hobby is ADDICTIVE !!

My next test is i put orange peels and cut up ginger into olive oil to soak for the next two weeks then i will use to hopefully make a citrus ginger soap then add an orange coloring to the soap.
will soaking olive oil work? or am i wasting time?

any ideas or helpful hints for a beginner would be much appreciated

Thanks
Rigo
Central Texas

 

[new12soap]

Your soap is right at a 0% superfat if every measurement was dead-on accurate. If it is still giving a zap I would recommend using it for laundry or rebatching. Remember that SAP values are averages, so it is important to put at least some superfat into your recipes. Always round your lye down and water and oils up. Measuring in grams is best if your scale can do it. You may also want to start a bit smaller, like 2lb oils, and get a few basic batches under your belt before you start playing with additives.

Good luck, and welcome to the addiction!

 

[Rigo76443]

The second batch i did 5% superfat on the soap cal and the second batch i did round down on lye so probably why it came out better.

It's a learning process and i'm learning

i did buy a scale that does grams,oz's,lbs. which is better to use when measuring ingredients ?

 

[AlchemyandAshes]

Welcome to the forum, and to your new addiction !
For your first soap that zaps - I believe you should have used 6.13 oz of lye to achieve a (safe) 5% superfat. 0.3 oz of Lye can make a difference in a 2 or 3 lb batch. You should always use at least a 3% superfat to account for any lye mismeasurements, though 5% is common practice. The only exception is if you're making laundry soap which won't come in contact with the skin. For future reference, if its been more than 3 days and your still getting a zap, that may be an indication of a problem. Any zapping is a problem for soap...that is a good indicator of its (excess) alkalinity and caustic effect on the skin. I'm assuming you did Cold Process, and not Hot Process (in a crock pot or other heat method). Did you gel your soap (insulate it to force saponification)?

If you want to get the scent of orange and ginger in your next soap, you would be better off using Sweet Orange and Ginger essential oils or fragrance oils. Infusing olive oil with orange peel and ginger probably won't leave you with any scent, especially after saponification. However, Annatto Seed infused in olive oil makes a great natural orange colorant!

 

[Rigo76443]

Thanks for the info !

 

[Cherry Bomb]

The second batch i did 5% superfat on the soap cal and the second batch i did round down on lye so probably why it came out better.

It's a learning process and i'm learning

i did buy a scale that does grams,oz's,lbs. which is better to use when measuring ingredients ?

Measuring in grams is a lot more precise then measuring in ounces because it is a smaller unit of measurement. It is a good idea to convert all ingredients to a consistent unit of measurement, such as measuring all ingredients in ounces or all ingredient in grams. good luck with your soap making!!!!

 

[Rigo76443]

Thanks Cherry Bomb!

 

[Cherry Bomb]

Thanks Cherry Bomb!

You're welcome Rigo76443!

 

[hoegarden]

I agree with Cherrybomb with measuring in grams to be more precise.

The next thing that I think will be helpful is to split the oils you will be using in % first. This helps if you want to do a smaller or bigger batch or adjust the amount of oil that you want to use.

I think it is also easier when you plan the oils that you want to use in % too.

 

[melstan775]

Hey shawnee do you have more then on

- I believe you should have used 6.13 oz of lye to achieve a (safe) 5% superfat.

out of curiosity, do you have a scale that has more then one decimal point? I would love it if you did, and more if you would share where to get one. I only have one decimal place.

 

[AlchemyandAshes]

out of curiosity, do you have a scale that has more then one decimal point? I would love it if you did, and more if you would share where to get one. I only have one decimal place.

This is the one I have and I love it. I think it's cheapest on Amazon ($40 or so) but Lotioncrafter carries it too:
http://www.myweigh.com/kd7000.html

Also, if you use grams, then you don't need to worry about 1/100ths...and if your scale only measures to the tenths of an oz, always round DOWN with lye and UP with oil and you'll be fine.

 

[melstan775]

This is the one I have and I love it. I think it's cheapest on Amazon ($40 or so) but Lotioncrafter carries it too:
http://www.myweigh.com/kd7000.html

Also, if you use grams, then you don't need to worry about 1/100ths...and if your scale only measures to the tenths of an oz, always round DOWN with lye and UP with oil and you'll be fine.

Thanks Shawnee!

 

[Moonshea Botanicals]

This is the one I have and I love it. I think it's cheapest on Amazon ($40 or so) but Lotioncrafter carries it too:
http://www.myweigh.com/kd7000.html

Also, if you use grams, then you don't need to worry about 1/100ths...and if your scale only measures to the tenths of an oz, always round DOWN with lye and UP with oil and you'll be fine.

LOL I just put that scale on my Amazon wish list for my birthday. Which is coming up in April.

 

[Rigo76443]

Update soap making 1

Update on first batch of soap

at first i got a zap from soap but now no zap. so looks like the lye finally disappeared.

so it's good news!

second batch is looking good too

 

[lizflowers42]

LOL I just put that scale on my Amazon wish list for my birthday. Which is coming up in April.

April what? I'm 4/2 :smile:

 

[Moonshea Botanicals]

april what? I'm 4/2 :smile:

4/10/73

 

[melstan775]

me too me too! 4/13!

 

[Moonshea Botanicals]

me too me too! 4/13!

ARIES POWER! :mrgreen: