Please give thoughts on recipes

[Sonya-m]

Ok so I've been playing around with Soapcalc to come up with what I plan to try next.

My aims are:

Slow to trace - to try swirls of some sort
Non drying - my 30% CO 6% SF seems too drying
Plenty of bubbles (just cos I like them)
Can be soaped relatively cool - again to assist with swirling

These are what I've come up with, which would you go for or would you tweak one in particular to help achieve these objectives?

 

[Nevada]

Having so much Lard might make a quicker trace.
Consider

Olive 55%
Coconut 20%
Lard 20%
Castor 5%

 

[lenarenee]

I would say just pick one and try it. You really can't go wrong with any of those formulas. I say that with great confidence because I've tried all of those. However, I don't think any of those offer a huge amount of time for complex swirls (such as 4 or 5 colors).
I've done well with 2 color drop swirl, but the batter was mixed to light trace or only emulsification.

My recipe is 70 lard, 15 coconut, 5 castor, 10 high oleic safflower or olive. The lather is luscious. Its a favorite for gentleness and lather among friends.

But I think at this point, you just need to start digging in there and experimenting! Have the experience with the recipe and swirls....and then see what you like and don't. Enjoy!

 

[JustBeachy]

I don't use lard in my soap anymore, (somewhere in Heaven my grandma is looking for a switch) so I can't speak to that. But I'd go with the recipe that was closest to your last batch, with the lower amounts of Coconut. This way you get to see what the difference in the CO will do to the finished product. Small steps when experimenting/devising recipes will give you a clearer picture of what causes the differences as well as how the batter reacts.

That said. I don't want to make Susie mad and say don't use the lard. haha

I agree that too high of a lard percentage is going to have the tendancy to trace quickly on you. Maybe closer to a split on the lard and OO? Maybe you could start with a easier in the pot swirl? Still fun and can produce some wonderful looking soaps.

 

[Dahila]

I like them all and I use a lot of lard, and I love the soaps with lard. When we kill the animal use everything, it is just chain food. I make some with oils only and butters and like them too. I like the one with lower number of cleansing. I do not go over 15% of CO but that's I. All look good. I soap on 38 celsius and had not notice fast trace with lard)

 

[Susie]

I don't use lard in my soap anymore, (somewhere in Heaven my grandma is looking for a switch) so I can't speak to that. But I'd go with the recipe that was closest to your last batch, with the lower amounts of Coconut. This way you get to see what the difference in the CO will do to the finished product. Small steps when experimenting/devising recipes will give you a clearer picture of what causes the differences as well as how the batter reacts.

That said. I don't want to make Susie mad and say don't use the lard. haha

I agree that too high of a lard percentage is going to have the tendancy to trace quickly on you. Maybe closer to a split on the lard and OO? Maybe you could start with a easier in the pot swirl? Still fun and can produce some wonderful looking soaps.

I suggested to someone the other day that they increase the olive oil to slow trace. I don't do swirls and such, so I am no help.

My grandmother sent us after own own switches. And heaven help you if it broke or was too small.

 

[JustBeachy]

I suggested to someone the other day that they increase the olive oil to slow trace. I don't do swirls and such, so I am no help.

My grandmother sent us after own own switches. And heaven help you if it broke or was too small.

Haha, I think my grandma would cut some before we came to visit. Knowing it was just a matter of time before at least one the eight of us cousins, was gonna get caught chasing the chickens, fighting or some other form of mayhem. None of us ever sassed grandpa, but grandma was a force to be reckoned with. She'd wade into all eight of us at once, with that switch singing like it wrote the song.:shock:

 

[Susie]

Yep, I remember the sound well. Not fondly, but well. Mind you, though, I only got switched once from her. After that, she could look at me and I would stop whatever I was doing. I could feel that look at 100 yards easy.

 

[Cindy2428]

Can't stop singing the praises of coconut milk - Try using as part or of all of your water substitution for the extra bubbles. I've used 50% coco milk/coco water - frozen; 100% coco milk and 100% coco water. I haven't used lard yet! so can't comment on your recipes

 

[Susie]

I tried using coconut milk in my soaps. I was just not impressed at all. Maybe it is just me. I have a can around here somewhere, maybe I need to revisit this.

 

[Cindy2428]

Susie, besides the extra bubbles, it eliminated the tackiness from my high OO and brought a beautiful creamy feel to my soap.

 

[JustBeachy]

I tried using coconut milk in my soaps. I was just not impressed at all. Maybe it is just me. I have a can around here somewhere, maybe I need to revisit this.

It might just be my love of coconut, but I see /feel a significant difference in the CM soaps. For me, it's been really noticeable as the soap hits the 2 to 3 month mark.

I even started using it in all my salt soaps and just recently used it in a shaving soap that I just love.

 

[Susie]

I love me some bubbles, that is true. But I don't make high OO soaps, so I guess I never experienced any tackiness. And I can use sugar to boost my bubbles.

 

[JustBeachy]

I love me some bubbles, that is true. But I don't make high OO soaps, so I guess I never experienced any tackiness. And I can use sugar to boost my bubbles.

That's true. I never really noticed any tackiness from my recipe before, and it's high in OO. The feel difference for me is more of a creamy, moisturizing feel. You use a good helping of lard in your soaps, so I don't know if it would make any noticeable difference. You probably already have that in your soap.

 

[hud]

Can't stop singing the praises of coconut milk - Try using as part or of all of your water substitution for the extra bubbles. I've used 50% coco milk/coco water - frozen; 100% coco milk and 100% coco water. I haven't used lard yet! so can't comment on your recipes

I would like to know how you mix them with lye? does the color change after all?

 

[Cindy2428]

Hud, I freeze it and slowly add the lye. I don't get any color change - I've monitored my temps; it never goes above 60. I'm usually waiting for it to get back to room temp. With regular lye water I always have to wear my respirator, with the coconut milk, I barely notice the ammonia scent from the protein.

 

[Sonya-m]

I've decided to give this one a go so will report back.