New to Soap Making

[LisaM]

Hi Everyone! =)

I am a single mom of two teenage boys. I am really new to soap making. I haven't ordered any oils or supplies yet, but I have been up late just about every night since I decided to start this venture, 3 days ago. I can't sleep or get enough info, ha ha ha. I have been gathering the tools I am going to need so far, like spoons, pitchers, scale, etc. I am interested in the hot process, does anyone know of some really great places to order my oils and such from? or have any good advice for someone just starting out? Thanks I would really appreciate it! =) Also, I heard something about maybe having to go through a process just to be able to get/buy lye? Is this so and what do i need to do?
Thanks again!
Lisa

 

[Genny]

Welcome to the forum and to soap making

For oils, here's some highly recommended suppliers:
http://www.naturesgardencandles.com/
http://www.thesage.com/catalog/index.html
http://soaperschoice.com/
http://www.elementsbathandbody.com/
http://www.theherbarie.com/
http://www.camdengrey.com/
http://www.brambleberry.com/

or you may have a supplier close to you. You can find out at http://suppliersbystate.com/
You can most likely get some oils at your local Walmart, Costco, Sams Club, or grocery store. Or you can check out any local health stores.

When you order lye online you may have to sign something. I usually buy mine at our local Menards or Ace Hardware. I never have to sign anything or do anything to get it. I just walk in, get as many as I want and buy them. But your city may be different. I have heard that some stores in some cities aren't allowed to sell it at all or that the customer needs to sign forms before buying.

My advice for someone just starting out making CP soap is to keep the recipe simple (only a few oils, no fragrance and no colors) that way you know what the basic things about soap look like. Watch as many CP soap making videos as you can. Soapqueen has some good ones for basic CP http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL ... ature=plcp

Other than that, ask all the questions you want

 

[judymoody]

Welcome!

Genny has already taken very good care of you.

If you want one stop shopping for fragrances, oils, colorants, etc. Brambleberry is a good supplier. I agree with Genny, start small, keep it simple, it's easy to get out of control with buying up supplies, ask me how I know! Anne Marie carries great samplers for colorants and popular fragrances so you can buy small quantities and try out lots of things.

Wholesale Supplies Plus also has just about everything you need and "free shipping." However, there's a $30 minimum order and many soapers have found that the "free" shipping is merely bundled into the base price of items so it doesn't work out to be a savings. You can do OK there if you are selective about what you buy.

 

[Hazel]

Hello and welcome!

I can't think of anything to add since you've already gotten good advice. The only thing I can say is soapmaking is addictive.

 

[Lindy]

Hello and welcome. Making soap is incredibly addicting and your family as well as your friends are in for a treat.

When you're ready to start there are lots of people that will be happy to help you. When you are making Hot Process there are 2 things to remember, don't do a water discount (that will make more sense when you create your first recipe) and add Sodium Lactate to your soap as it will help it harden but it will also keep your soap fluid so that when you pour into your mould it isn't glopping quite as much. I do know a lady in the UK who has really turned HP into an artform all it's own.

And the main tip I can give you? Have fun!

 

[Lynnz]

Welcome................When you finally get to sleep guess what you will probably have soaping sessions in your sleep I have

 

[Relle]

Thought you'd be over that by now Lyn :wink: .

 

[semplice]

Welcome to the forum! There's a LOT of information here about hot process soapmaking. I haven't tried HP, but Lynnz is right, you will DREAM about soap! LOL

 

[LisaM]

Hi Ladies,
Thank you very much for your replies. You girls had me smiling, and laughing. I appreciate all advice, since I don't have anyone near me, that I know of, to learn from or get advice, when I found this site, I thought it would be perfect.

Sorry it took me “forever” to reply, I had to figure out where my post and replies were, lol. I didn’t see a tab for Hot Process soap making?? Sorry, I am just learning this forum/page as well.

Thank you very much. I will check out those sites and try to do some price checking. I also found a place called “Essential Depot”? In case anyone would like to check that out too.

I am going into this for a more pure natural soap for my family, but like Hazel and Lindy said, it is addicting, so who knows right? =)

JudyMoody, “start small, keep it simple”?? Ha ha ha, this unfortunately is not me neither. I usually jump into something with both feet and then some. (not always a good thing). But I will try.

Yes I am sure Lynnz and Semplice, because I have gone to sleep and dreamt about all the figures from getting to learn about the lye/soap calculator! I hate dreaming about numbers.

Thanks again Ladies for your comments and help. It’s nice to know there’s help, guidance and support when needed.

 

[Hazel]

Sorry! I could have added some HP links.

I used Ms. Brenda's tutorial for HP in a crock pot when I first started HP. Later I found another great tutorial on Gracefruit's blog and you could also check out youtube for videos. But I'd recommend you read the tutorials first so you can tell if a video has accurate info. I've seen some videos on youtube which are inaccurate and sometimes instructions which are unsafe.

I stumbled across this tutorial for HP on the stove. I was amused by her writing style and she has lots of pictures showing the steps the soap goes through while it's cooking. However, I'd recommend using a double boiler if you're only doing a small batch.