Total CP Newbie - Where to start?

[snappyllama]

Hola,

I'm a complete CP newbie. I've been oogling pics; watching videos until my eyes blur; stalking this forum; fiddling with a lye calculator (chemistry bits are fun!); swirling loaves in my head; and building a fantastic pinterest drool-list... Just generally obsessing. :crazy:

Like probably everyone pondering his/her first batch, I'm a bit nervous about lye.

Would it be better to jump in with a simple recipe or take a class? There is a supplier nearby that offers a one-day course.

Much thanks in advance for your advice. Cheers!

 

[Susie]

Simple answer, Yes!

Longer answer: If I had had the option of taking a class, I would have taken it.
But, since I did not, I just went ahead and made a batch.

Just remember that safety is your number 1 priority. Gloves, goggles, long sleeves, good ventilation, area free from pets and children.

And welcome to the addiction!

 

[snappyllama]

Thanks Susie!

Working with caustic materials is my top concern. I think a class might be the trick to build up some confidence.

Also, I live at a very high elevation (8500ish ft) so perhaps the instructor can help me out with some techniques for dealing with that. Since moving to the mountains, I've noticed that everything is a bit different... Baking is an exercise in frustration, coffee has to be brewed with a hotter temp, even my melt and pour behaves differently.

And perhaps I over analyze... hehe

 

[jules92207]

I was really lucky and had a friend that made soap so I got to watch her make a few batches before I ventured out on my own. It really helped. A class is a great idea to get over the hump.

Lye was the scariest part for me too. Once you overcome that though you will find its not that scary once you understand how it reacts and how to respond to it if you have an accident.

Good luck!

 

[The Efficacious Gentleman]

If the question was "Do I need to do a course?" then I would say no. But if you want to do it, there should be no harm in it.

I say "should" because the instructor might well say things that are wrong - it's the nature of it all, what one person holds as gospel another person knows to be a crazy idea. An example is how to treat a splash of lye solution on the skin - some will say use vinegar to neutralise it and they will swear that this is the best option. Others know that by doing this you will be creating a lot of heat (the reaction of the vinegar and lye causes a lot of heat) and that it is better to wash it off with a lot of running water first of all.

These sorts of things come up often in books and courses, so don't be amazed if something you learn on the course gets poo-poo'd on the forum.

 

[apcbm4]

I haven't made soap before, but I do know chemistry and I just wanted to agree with the above poster that you want to flush with copious amounts of water if lye would get on your skin.

It's the same principle as if you spilled acid on yourself - you wouldn't pour a base on your skin to try and neutralize it and it is much better to simply dilute the lye with a lot of water.

 

[dixiedragon]

A class could be really enjoyable! My only concern is that, in my experience, classes for hobbies tend to feature a lot of "you must buy this and this and this super fancy thing". So if you take the class, you may want to come back here before you buy a lot of stuff.

 

[snappyllama]

This is awesome advice that I hadn't considered before. My natural inclination would have been to grab a neutralizing agent rather than diluting. Thanks so much!

I'm sure I'll be running back here for all sorts of questions. I tend to *think* things through A LOT... it took me almost a year of researching before buying my first kayak. I just wish I had found an awesome resource such as y'all's collective knowledge.

A class could be really enjoyable! My only concern is that, in my experience, classes for hobbies tend to feature a lot of "you must buy this and this and this super fancy thing". So if you take the class, you may want to come back here before you buy a lot of stuff.

Good call... the class I'm thinking of taking includes a wooden mold and a 10% off coupon. Hmmm. Thankfully, I'm normally not an easy mark for up-sell unless I'm at a salon. What form of mind-altering substances seeps through my brain when my hair is dyed?:think:

I already make M&P so I think all I really need are:

• Safety Supplies (eyes and hands)
• Stick Blender
• More Plastic & Stainless Steel Containers (my M&P ones are pretty small)
• Oils & Lye
• Whatever I can sneak into the house without hubby questioning me too much. Muhahahaha

Seriously though, thanks for the advice!