Question

[craftgirl08]

Is it o.k. to pre-measure all of the soapmaking oils and keep them in containers until ready to use or is it better to just add them to the pot individually when you are actually doing soap? Does anyone do this?

 

[carebear]

you can premeasure

 

[craftgirl08]

How soon can you use the soap?

Can you also tell me how soon one can use the CP after it is made? I have read to cure for 3 to 4 weeks for a harder bar, but when do you think it is safe to use if prior to 3 to 4 weeks?

 

[IrishLass]

Soap is safe to use when it no longer 'zaps'. 'Zap' indicates that active lye is still present in the soap.

You can test for zap by doing a tongue test, which is either touching the tip of your tongue to the soap, or else wetting a finger and rubbing it over the soap and then touching your soaped-up finger to the tip of your tongue. If you get a burning or zapping sensation on your tongue, then your soap is either lye-heavy or else it just needs to cure more.

Some soaps take longer to fully saponify and might still zap for a week or slightly longer before finally mellowing out (especially if ungelled), but if your soap is still zapping after a few weeks cure, that's a good sign that it's more than likely lye heavy.

Although soap is safe to use when no zap is present, most soapers choose to wait at least 4 weeks or more, because as the soap ages it becomes ever more mild, more bubbly, and longer-lasting. I always like to say that the 4 week mark is when my soap is at its earliest best.

IrishLass

 

[Woodi]

I've used it in as little as 3 weeks, but I find that it always goes a bit soft after the first few days. I know how hard it is to wait, but we soapmakers have to be a patient lot. Hang in there, and you'll really appreciate a harder bar.

 

[craftgirl08]

Thanks everyone for sharing your information with me. I made a batch of soap and when it was cured (4 weeks) I gave a few samples out and "bam" I have several orders. I didn't know it was going to be so popular.

Thanks again.

 

[GoddessMama]

I'm sure others will chime in on this, but its not very safe to sell soaps when you are new to soap making. It takes experience to know soaping. I've been making soap as a hobby for 5 years and I still won't sell.

 

[craftgirl08]

Ouch!! What a bummer to hear.

 

[honor435]

well, i dont think you have to wait 5 yrs! we just want to make sure you know what youre doing and sell safe soap, ya know?

 

[craftgirl08]

Yeah, I realize. I have been making soap for about 1 1/2 years at home for me and family off and on. I am a nurse by trade and wouldn't put anyone at risk. I traded with a fellow SMF and she provided me awesome fragrances!! I made the blue skies a couple of times and I really like it myself. It keeps my hands from cracking open at work and keeps my skin from itching. I truly enjoy the suds too.

I do appreciate the feedback.

 

[RikRaks]

I have been making soap for about 6 months? I just recently started to sell it, I have to admit though, I did not make a lot during those 6 months, but I have read read read and read some more, about all this chemistry. I will confident in selling mine, and I have already had darn near everyone in my family test for me and the reviews have been awesome..... Ya'll scared me. lol..... But from head to toe I have not had a problem with my soap at all and I have eczema too.

 

[craftgirl08]

Yeah, I read, read, read, and I am thankful for the SMF. It has helped me with my soapmaking. The more soap I make, the more I like it.

 

[carebear]

knowledge and experience. the ability to consistently produce safe soaps that are what you want them to be. and to be able to keep doing it.

- know your ingredients. know why each of them is in there
- know your soaps = are they stable or will the develop DOS a few months down the road (I test mine in various conditions for a minimum of 6 months when I change a formula or supplier), do the colors fade? does the FO fade or morph? will your mica go all dull?
- consistency is key. unless you are a one-off soaper (limited editions only), you should be able to produce a consistent product so each time a customer orders your Lemongrass Sage, for example, they know what they are getting
- safety is, without a doubt, #1. which means you need to have a handle on not just what soap is all about, but how to avoid or recognize (preferable AVOID) lye pockets and caustic soap
- good quality control. do you track your supplies and suppliers? batch numbers and born on dates? if there's a problem, can you backtrack to the source of it?
- good business practices. do you have insurance? a business license if required? a tax exempt number (my favorite part)? do you know how to track your inventory of supplies and products? Do you have a bookkeeper? Can you track expenses and income? You'll need to pay taxes if you ever turn a profit and file even if youdon't in most cases.
- do you know what your soaps really cost? it's not just ingredients - it's the molds, the bowls, the whisks, the paper towels, the extra water, the extra power, the cleaning supplies, the labels, the printer, the freaking ink (it's expensive!), the packaging, the boxes, the shipping... small stuff adds up.
- do you have a safe space to store your supplies and your products? many of us have learned the hard way that ants like lard and mice eat soap. ick. double ick, really. and are your kids or family safe from the supplies? lye is dangerous, as you know.
- do you have a safe place to work? kids and lye solutions, pets and raw soap, distractions and soaping are all really bad combinations.

I could go on and on.

DO start a business. But know what you are doing.

 

[RikRaks]

Carebear, you are awesome, thanks for the good advise

 

[carebear]

If you can be a WAHM to 9, you can start & run a business the right way! It's way easier than raising children!