scales needed?

[soapysal]

First of all, Hi - I'm new!
I'm really excited by the idea of making my own soap - I've had a go before under supervision using someone else's equipment but I want to get kitted out so I can do it myself.

I know I'm a long way of selling anything I make, but it'd be nice to think I'd get there someday - and I'm sure I read that to be able to sell your soap you need to use weighing scales of a certain specification, though now can't find where I read this! (This is in the UK by the way, I don't know if the rules are different in the US)

Since I need to buy new scales anyway I figured I might as well shall out for the ones that I'll need going forward, so if anyone could point me in the right direction of any legislation etc about this I'd be very grateful!

Thanking you in advance

SS

 

[kazmi]

SS I have not heard that you need a scale to be able to sell your soap. You need a scale to be able to properly measure the ingredients to make your soap. Since you are just starting out you will be making smaller batches to practice with. You don't need to spend a lot of money for a professional scale just yet. Try to look for one that uses .00 measurements so you can be more precise. And then plan to practice, practice, practice.

And welcome to the fun of soaping!!

 

[soapysal]

Thanks! I may have just made it up as I can't find any evidence of it anywhere now!

 

[Kleine Teufel]

I use a postal scale. I'm sure you have something like that there. It weighs in grams, ounces and pounds, though generally I use grams (more accurate). I paid $20 USD. I'm not up with current conversions of currency, but I think $1.50ish USD or maybe $2 equals a pound? Something like that, lol.

 

[Ianto]

I did a quick google search and I am assuming you need a trade approved scale to sell soap in the UK (and many other hoops to jump through). I am not from the UK and really don't know what the laws are regarding selling handmade soap. From the little reading I did do, it sounds like it is rather complex. I would wait till someone who lives in the UK and sells handmade soap to come along and answer the question.

 

[Candybee]

Well, before you can sell soap you need to learn how to make really good soap. So starting out with a good scale is key. You should have one that accurately weighs in pounds, ounces, and grams and can tare. For soaping you want to always weigh out your ingredients and be able to weigh down to a gram.

 

[jcandleattic]

I use a postal scale. I'm sure you have something like that there. It weighs in grams, ounces and pounds, though generally I use grams (more accurate). I paid $20 USD. I'm not up with current conversions of currency, but I think $1.50ish USD or maybe $2 equals a pound? Something like that, lol.

5 US Quarters ($1.25) equals exactly 1oz.

 

[squeakycleanuk]

Yes if you plan to sell soap, UK law says you must have trade approved scales, so you may as well get them from the off set tbh. They are pretty pricey, the cheapest I could find were £150ish but if you've got the money, theres little point getting a cheap one for the time being when you'll just have to fork out for it eventually anyway. I am still using my old scales (which are pretty good but not trade approved), but hoping to have saved enough to buy new scales by the end of this month

 

[soapysal]

Ah, thank you very much!
That is a little out of my current budget As I said, I have a lot of practising to do I'm sure before I'm ready to sell, and that's if I ever get there, so will start off with a cheaper (but accurate!) scale for now

 

[Lotus]

I use a postal scale. I'm sure you have something like that there. It weighs in grams, ounces and pounds, though generally I use grams (more accurate). I paid $20 USD. I'm not up with current conversions of currency, but I think $1.50ish USD or maybe $2 equals a pound? Something like that, lol.

5 US Quarters ($1.25) equals exactly 1oz.

This was supposed to be a currency conversion.

It's been awhile since I looked it up, but last time I was there, it was about $.75 to the £.