What soapy thing have you done today?

Soapmaking Forum

Help Support Soapmaking Forum:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.
I cut my 2nd attempt at the OPW and I'm quite pleased with the outcome. The colours aren't quite as dark as in the picture... poor lighting.
View attachment 58047
Beautiful ...

Thanks to @dibbles, I discovered the bubbly benefits of aloe juice for 100% water replacement in bar soap. So, I made LS for dish washing using aloe/glycerin at 50/50 for 100% water. I also put my toe into uncharted territory and made it -1% SF (which I never do for dish washing soap). I know - I'm such a risk taker, but what a lovely soap! I was afraid it would be too harsh on my hands. It is a bit drying, but nothing that didn't dissipate on its own within an hour or so, and certainly not enough that I would have to go back to wearing gloves for the few dishes I have to wash.

So, kids, what happens if you pour a -1%SF LS into a jug with an equal amount of 0%SF LS? Answer: You get two layers with the -1% SF falling to the bottom and the 0%SF floating on top. I forgot to take a picture but it was so cool. Just a good shake and it all came together and has not separated again (sort of a bummer...LOL).
This is fantastic Info' its all about them ( "Conditioning Bubbles" ) ❤🤗🧼
 
I started my soaping day by dropping some soap I had made yesterday and taken great pains over. It was very soft and it is pretty well mangled but I tried to revive it with a palette knife. Then I went to work making a mini T&S mold out of my jerryrigged T&S mold. I was cutting up some corrugated plastic with a utility knife, and the knife slipped and I sliced through the top of my fingernail. Saw the blood and went over to the house and told my husband. Then very dramatically had to lie down on the floor because I felt faint. He fetched a bandaid and I took a look. It really wasn’t that bad and I realized my drama was because I was imagining it was much worse than it actually was. Phew. Back to the T&S mold, made my version of blue ombré soap inspired by @The_Phoenix in an attempt to make an ocean soap. Oh! And some great news, I had made soap in a column mold but had forgotten to line or treat the mold. But I did as others have suggested, stuck it in the freezer and then let it thaw out partially, and it came right out! So, other than the soap ruining and finger mangling, a great day.
D1E015AE-7E44-4A61-93FD-912720A8C3B3.jpeg
 
Last edited:
I started my soaping day by dropping some soap I had made yesterday and taken great pains over. It was very soft and it is pretty well mangled but I tried to revive it with a palette knife. Then I went to work making a mini T&S mold out of my jerrs rigged T&S mold. I was cutting up some corrugated plastic with a utility knife, and the knife slipped and I sliced through the top of my fingernail. Saw the blood and went over to the house and told my husband. Then very dramatically had to lie down on the floor because I felt faint. He fetched a bandaid and I took a look. It really wasn’t that bad and I realized my drama was because I was imagining it was much worse than it actually was. Phew. Back to the T&S mold, made my version of blue ombré soap inspired by @The_Phoenix in an attempt to make an ocean soap. Oh! And some great news, I had made soap in a column mold but had forgotten to line or treat the mold. But I did as others have suggested, stuck it in the freezer and then let it thaw out partially, and it came right out! So, other than the soap ruining and finger mangling, a great day.
View attachment 58056
Glad you didn't loose a finger nail or worse the end of your finger' Phew sounds like a close call. Your soap in the pot looks Fab!!!
 
Glad you didn't loose a finger nail or worse the end of your finger' Phew sounds like a close call. Your soap in the pot looks Fab!!!
I know. Very lucky. I was being an idiot and cutting towards my left hand. I’m not going to look at it again until I have to, but I know it will be a bear growing out. 😑
 
I started my soaping day by dropping some soap I had made yesterday and taken great pains over. It was very soft and it is pretty well mangled but I tried to revive it with a palette knife. Then I went to work making a mini T&S mold out of my jerryrigged T&S mold. I was cutting up some corrugated plastic with a utility knife, and the knife slipped and I sliced through the top of my fingernail. Saw the blood and went over to the house and told my husband. Then very dramatically had to lie down on the floor because I felt faint. He fetched a bandaid and I took a look. It really wasn’t that bad and I realized my drama was because I was imagining it was much worse than it actually was. Phew. Back to the T&S mold, made my version of blue ombré soap inspired by @The_Phoenix in an attempt to make an ocean soap. Oh! And some great news, I had made soap in a column mold but had forgotten to line or treat the mold. But I did as others have suggested, stuck it in the freezer and then let it thaw out partially, and it came right out! So, other than the soap ruining and finger mangling, a great day.
View attachment 58056
I can relate. Don't feel like the Lone Ranger... I mangled my finger last year by accidently getting it caught in the blade of the SB...I feel your pain... :rolleyes: ..I would put a laughing emoticon but that would only be directed towards myself! I hope your finger heals fast!!!!
 
Today I sorted through all my bars of soap I've made the last few years and cleared them out by sending them back to the barracks via my grandson and his two buddies. I think they may have about 100! Some may be going to Korea , some may stay in Texas and some may be going to North Carolina, as they are all being divided to different areas of deployment. We were fortunate enough to have the guys stay the weekend with us and they left today. I I love those guys and all who have served. I worked as a nurse at the VA for years and they have my heart.... AND my SOAP!!:dance:After they left I caught up on this forum. I don't get alerts and I miss a lot. Just in the last two...uhhhh three hours I've been reading, I've once again learned alot. I've learned about you all in different ways, learned about more soaping and am appreciative for this group. My next soaping thing today is make some soap!! I'm having a great soapy Memorial day!!! I hope you all are too!
 
@MrsZ
That's easy. The left one (pink mould) is HP, it has this awkward telltale texture on top when you needed force to squeeze it into the mould. The right loaf (blue mould) is flawless. 😂
 
I started my soaping day by dropping some soap I had made yesterday and taken great pains over. It was very soft and it is pretty well mangled but I tried to revive it with a palette knife. Then I went to work making a mini T&S mold out of my jerryrigged T&S mold. I was cutting up some corrugated plastic with a utility knife, and the knife slipped and I sliced through the top of my fingernail. Saw the blood and went over to the house and told my husband. Then very dramatically had to lie down on the floor because I felt faint. He fetched a bandaid and I took a look. It really wasn’t that bad and I realized my drama was because I was imagining it was much worse than it actually was. Phew. Back to the T&S mold, made my version of blue ombré soap inspired by @The_Phoenix in an attempt to make an ocean soap. Oh! And some great news, I had made soap in a column mold but had forgotten to line or treat the mold. But I did as others have suggested, stuck it in the freezer and then let it thaw out partially, and it came right out! So, other than the soap ruining and finger mangling, a great day.
View attachment 58056
Lookin’ good so far!
 
I can relate. Don't feel like the Lone Ranger... I mangled my finger last year by accidently getting it caught in the blade of the SB...I feel your pain... :rolleyes: ..I would put a laughing emoticon but that would only be directed towards myself! I hope your finger heals fast!!!!
Oh OUCH! Thank you! It has not slowed down my soaping but pretty sure I won’t be able to make dinner... 😉
 
So... I’m wondering how much these are going to change as they cure. Both are same recipe. Left batch overheated and had a FO that said turns light tan... Right batch didn’t over heat and probably didn’t gel. Different well behaving FO. Plus I added some white kaolin clay to the whole starting batter.
E33B5EE0-FEE8-4D5B-85D6-0FC9D04C4833.jpeg

ACCF7E34-6427-4824-AE0D-343F71857321.jpeg
the tops and sides are turning out pretty cool! I’m guessing it’s soda ash, but still pretty cool!
 
Last edited:
So... I’m wondering how much these are going to change as they cure. Both are same recipe. Left batch overheated and had a FO that said turns light tan... Right batch didn’t over heat and probably didn’t gel. Different well behaving FO. Plus I added some white kaolin clay to the whole starting batter.
View attachment 58065
I'd venture to say both will turn much darker? only a guess. Ive gotta say ( Your Round Soap Balls) Is A Dead Wringer For Looking Like Mushroom's. So Cool 👍🏼🙌🏼
 
You know there is no way back when you run your biscuit recipes through a lye calculator

biscuit_recipe_oils.jpg biscuit_tin.jpg

Balanced fatty acid profile, maxing out savoury pumpkin seed oil while still meeting the 15% PUFA criterion … but then choosing a tin that is too small … one has to set priorities!
Now I can't close the lid. Any ideas/suggestions? 😂😋

I hope you dont mind your "nickname" its truly a complement. HooHoo said the "WiseOwl 🦉🥰. if request I must retract from using it' I will. 🥰.
Not so sure if it is indeed wisdom that is speaking from my deeds, or rather my exceptional stubbornness, or hopeless romanticism? Idk, in the end, I'm biased, and not the one to make the terminal diagnosis.

I'm constantly trying to upset you, but you won't let me ;)🤗. A last attempt: You are too lazy to type “Resolvable”, so you'd like to call me “Wise” instead. Maybe that is wise from you? :dance: (On the other hand, I'm sure you know about the @-name-completion of SMF)
I'm actually not so much a nickname person (neither in real life), so I'm not overly used to/comfortable with that type of “fame”.

(Moved here to not overly deviate from the actual topic in your thread over there)



Anyway, back to topic. I once again abused false trace, this time to (hopefully) give high-lauric (80% PKO) soap dough a try:
pko_soap_dough.jpg
Melted up oils to clarity and let cool just until onset of turbidity. Added lukewarm lye (7% SF), and stirred for a few minutes in a cold water bath until the “emulsion” became “stable” (false trace). It has such a luxurious salve-like texture to it! But nothing to spread on bare skin!
Following “official” wisdom from @SoapWitch , I try my best to prevent gel (small pot, water bath) while it'll have plenty of time to react through, for at least a week. I'll need it then for some special application (or in case it fails/doesn't work out/become pliable soap dough, some less fancy end use).
 
You know there is no way back when you run your biscuit recipes through a lye calculator

View attachment 58070 View attachment 58071

Balanced fatty acid profile, maxing out savoury pumpkin seed oil while still meeting the 15% PUFA criterion … but then choosing a tin that is too small … one has to set priorities!
Now I can't close the lid. Any ideas/suggestions? 😂😋


Not so sure if it is indeed wisdom that is speaking from my deeds, or rather my exceptional stubbornness, or hopeless romanticism? Idk, in the end, I'm biased, and not the one to make the terminal diagnosis.

I'm constantly trying to upset you, but you won't let me ;)🤗. A last attempt: You are too lazy to type “Resolvable”, so you'd like to call me “Wise” instead. Maybe that is wise from you? :dance: (On the other hand, I'm sure you know about the @-name-completion of SMF)
I'm actually not so much a nickname person (neither in real life), so I'm not overly used to/comfortable with that type of “fame”.

(Moved here to not overly deviate from the actual topic in your thread over there)



Anyway, back to topic. I once again abused false trace, this time to (hopefully) give high-lauric (80% PKO) soap dough a try:
View attachment 58072
Melted up oils to clarity and let cool just until onset of turbidity. Added lukewarm lye (7% SF), and stirred for a few minutes in a cold water bath until the “emulsion” became “stable” (false trace). It has such a luxurious salve-like texture to it! But nothing to spread on bare skin!
Following “official” wisdom from @SoapWitch , I try my best to prevent gel (small pot, water bath) while it'll have plenty of time to react through, for at least a week. I'll need it then for some special application (or in case it fails/doesn't work out/become pliable soap dough, some less fancy end use).
Yah gotta get over being so humble' just kidding' :lol: ❤️🤣🙃.
I Understand & Respectfully Retract Your Nick Name ❤️🤗.
 
Cut my mint mojito soap, colored with spirulina and green sea clay, scented with lime and peppermint EOs. My first attempt at a swirly kind of thing 😅

I bet it smells amazing. ♥️

@ResolvableOwl
“Now I can't close the lid. Any ideas/suggestions? 😂😋

Make a pot of tea and consume the excess.
 

Latest posts

Back
Top