ugly soap

[Jackson]

I've read a couple of articles about re batching soap in a crock pot. I'm not trying to make a gourmet soap or soap to sell but if I share soap with family or friends I want it to have a reasonable texture and appearance. Some of the soap I made recently does not pass that test. I am looking for advise on re batching because my wife won't allow me to use her crock pot to melt soap.
If I have to buy my own crock pot I would appreciate first having advice on the likelihood of successful re batching.

 

[new12soap]

rebatching is usually to correct a problem with a soap, AFAIK it rarely makes the soap prettier, so you may want to reconsider.

I use my crockpot for soap all the time, and that is with active lye until it all cooks!

 

[jade-15]

Here is another option for ugly soap:

http://sironasprings.wordpress.com/2013/09/15/embedding-soap-a-great-way-to-reboot-a-batch-of-soap/

http://howtomakehandmadesoaps.blogspot.it/2012/11/cold-process-soap-advance-techniques.html

 

[Susie]

Re-batching does not help the appearance. Truly.

Here are alternatives:

1. Make "confetti" to mix into a new batch of CP. Just grate it up, and mix in at no more than 1:3 grated soap to new(liquid) soap. Choose a contrasting color to make it look like you intended to do it all along.

2. Grate it up and use to get liquid soap to trace faster. Just 0.5 oz PPO.

3. Make some soap savers of some sort, and use it as gifts.

4. Put grated soap into sachet bags(if it smells good), and place in closets and drawers.

5. Donate to Clean the World or call the local homeless/abuse victim's shelter to see if they will take it.


If all else fails, go to the local Goodwill or Salvation Army Thrift store. They often have crock pots for super cheap. Be on the lookout for spare stick blenders while you are there. Bring the employees a bar or two of soap to bribe them *ahem, I mean to foster good relations* to call you when they get others in.

 

[The Efficacious Gentleman]

Personally, I find that HP soaps are lovely looking in a rustic way. If you are rebatching, however, colours can get all mixed and so on and it can look rather odd from what I have seen

 

[Jackson]

Yes I agree that home made soap should look like home made soap. My problem is that the grease I use tends to curdle and set before I can get it mixed and into the mold. I use grease from a hamburger grill and use the recipe for beef tallow.
I use that grease because I can get all I need at no cost and that is what my father used to make soap.
In my recent effort I poured some to soon before it was well mixed and the inside texture does not look good. I have been able to relieve that problem by using extra water and mixing at a cooler temperature.
My father did a hot process and I saw a lot of soap cooked but paid little attention to how he did the job. My son has a box of soap dad made before he died in 1972. It isn't pretty but its still very good soap, but we aren't allowed to use it because it is a family heirloom.

 

[Susie]

If I might make a technique suggestion to avoid "less than pretty" soap?

It is called the heat transfer method. I use lots of lard in my bar soaps, and have a strong dislike for extra steps, so that is what I use. Just mix lye and water, pour HOT mixture over solid beef tallow, stick blend to trace. Et voila! Soap that stays mixed and looks a lot better. HTH

 

[Jackson]

Well I got a cheap crock pot and did a re batch of 2 pounds of soap. On the Efficacious Gentleman's web site I read about sodium lactate and decided to add it to my soap. I got much improvement in the texture of the soap and with the moisturizing effect of the sodium lactate it should be a lot improved for the user. I now have soap i'm able to be proud of when one of my friends asks for soap. I will probably re batch all that I've made this month and since I have the crock pot i'm thinking of trying the hot process with my next soap making effort
The only problem was when my wife discovered I was using her potato masher to mix and stir the hot soap. I thought she was going to have an apoplectic fit when I offered to get her a new one. Turned out this is an antique she got from her grandmother and needless to say I won't be using it again.

 

[Dorymae]

Turned out this is an antique she got from her grandmother and needless to say I won't be using it again.

You know I laughed out loud for real on that! I use antique items all the time. I have a rolling pin from the late 1700's that I love - hickory all carved in one piece. I have many utensils and do dads that I use as well. My philosophy is that to honor a antique you have to use it - what good is it to anyone if it sits in a drawer or on a shelf? Some of them are far superior to what you can buy today - the rolling pin is one.

 

[Jackson]

Yes that is my wife's sentiments exactly but that did not extend to my soap making with her kitchen utensils.
I figure I'll go to 1st Monday trade day & get my own antique.