What soapy thing have you done today?

[Nonnie]

Oh Canva! I know many people that use it but I have jumped it - yet.
I have the same Avery problem if I print on an inkjet - some labels aren’t aligned right. I kept aligning my old printer and finally thought it must be the printer so I had DH get me a new one for Christmas. Well, nope - still not aligned for some to most of the labels. On the other hand, they print perfectly on a laser jet, but I have limited access to one of those.

I have laser and it still prints wonky. I think it's just an Avery glitch. So far no issues using online labels

 

[Midnight_Sun]

I’ve thought a lot about soap and rearranged my soap and took pictures of my soap that all counts right!?

Real question though: what kinds of containers do you all use for lye masterbatching? And do you reuse them?

 

[basti]

Real question though: what kinds of containers do you all use for lye masterbatching? And do you reuse them?

I store my lye masterbatch in the bottles my lye came in.

 

[AliOop]

I store my lye masterbatch in the bottles my lye came in.

If I'm making a small masterbatch, I also re-use the bottles that were used to ship the lye.

For larger masterbatches, repurposed laundry detergent bottles work very well. You can even buy just the empty HDPE jugs on Amazon now.

 

[Zing]

I have been thinking about lip balm tubes FOREVER! I can't decide if I want them or little jars, which I have used in the past. I like the jars but don't know how or what others think about them. Then I think I will use both...yeah, I know I overthink a lot of stuff when it comes to soaping, etc. I drive myself crazy at times! So, Zing please let us know how easy it is to fill them, and did you get plastic or cardboard-type ones, I am anxious to hear what you have to say about your experience! Have fun filling those little babies!

Just do it already, man! JK. I'm conflicted too on the container. I don't like jars that require sticking a finger in and then applying to my lips. Hands get dirty and sometimes soap and sanitizer aren't nearby. I use plastic tubes. I'm trying to cut back on my use of plastic but I worry that the cardboard would get stained with oils and butters -- but I have no experience with cardboard tubes.

They are really easy to fill. I use a rack that holds the tubes upright. It's hard to explain but when you spill, there is a tool to redirect the batter into tubes. @Tammyfarms just posted a video, https://www.soapmakingforum.com/threads/iso-cleaning-hack.94499/post-1025462 .

 

[squidstings]

Just do it already, man! JK. I'm conflicted too on the container. I don't like jars that require sticking a finger in and then applying to my lips. Hands get dirty and sometimes soap and sanitizer aren't nearby. I use plastic tubes. I'm trying to cut back on my use of plastic but I worry that the cardboard would get stained with oils and butters -- but I have no experience with cardboard tubes.

They are really easy to fill. I use a rack that holds the tubes upright. It's hard to explain but when you spill, there is a tool to redirect the batter into tubes. @Tammyfarms just posted a video, https://www.soapmakingforum.com/threads/iso-cleaning-hack.94499/post-1025462 .

you can always recycle used, commercial tubes. It's been a couple years since I've done any, but the commercial applicators were always easier to clean. I'd have to use a mix of Hydrogen Peroxide and bleach to clean the glass from my recipe, but the commercial plastic dispensers always cleaned up easily. The stuff I used anyway.

You can refill the ball applicators. Careful to pull them apart, but the lid is the mold. Had a few requests for those. They worked out well.

Just a thought

 

[Tammyfarms]

I have been thinking about lip balm tubes FOREVER! I can't decide if I want them or little jars, which I have used in the past. I like the jars but don't know how or what others think about them. Then I think I will use both...yeah, I know I overthink a lot of stuff when it comes to soaping, etc. I drive myself crazy at times! So, Zing please let us know how easy it is to fill them, and did you get plastic or cardboard-type ones, I am anxious to hear what you have to say about your experience! Have fun filling those little babies!

I also use plastic tubes. I’m not confident that cardboard would hold up, although I would love to hear others experience. I don’t use little jars as I want to be able to use lip balm any time and my hands are often grimy (usually from being at the barn with my horse).

 

[Zing]

Just made up some of @AliOop 's shower cleaner. Scented with lemon essential oil. Started thinking about my next batch of soap. Our dishwasher broke so I want to use the fewest dishes.

 

[Tammyfarms]

Just made up some of @AliOop 's shower cleaner. Scented with lemon essential oil. Started thinking about my next batch of soap. Our dishwasher broke so I want to use the fewest dishes.

I was pleasantly surprised at the lack of dishes when I made this months challenge soap. Single color batter is definitely the way to go.

 

[dmcgee5034]

Just made up some of @AliOop 's shower cleaner. Scented with lemon essential oil. Started thinking about my next batch of soap. Our dishwasher broke so I want to use the fewest dishes.

Sorry to hear about the dishwasher, @Zing. That’s a bummer for every day life and soaping!

With Monday off, I might get soap made this weekend and join this months challenge. I had an idea floating around in my head, and shreds available.

 

[squidstings]

Just made up some of @AliOop 's shower cleaner. Scented with lemon essential oil. Started thinking about my next batch of soap. Our dishwasher broke so I want to use the fewest dishes.

Nice thing about cleaning up after making soap. Soaking is so much more effective. Already half clean
Similar (not really) situation. The big bottles of Dawn I bought years ago are finally empty, so I'll be making dish soap in the next day or so.

 

[Midnight_Sun]

I’m masterbatching lye solution for the very first time. I also dispensed my 7gal bottles of coconut oil and tallow into buckets so I can scoop out the proper amount without having to melt most of the jug contents. Hoping this prep will make it easier to make soap!

 

[Relle]

Just made up some of @AliOop 's shower cleaner. Scented with lemon essential oil. Started thinking about my next batch of soap. Our dishwasher broke so I want to use the fewest dishes.

Awwwww, so sad about your dishwasher just give her a massage and get her back in the kitchen , oops who said that.

 

[justsomeguy]

I made my challenge soap. It looks decent

 

[Midnight_Sun]

I’m masterbatching lye solution for the very first time. I also dispensed my 7gal bottles of coconut oil and tallow into buckets so I can scoop out the proper amount without having to melt most of the jug contents. Hoping this prep will make it easier to make soap!

I made soap! Miscalculated the volume of the molds, forgot my fragrance, let my trace get too thick, panicked and ruined my swirl mixing in the fragrance

but I did make soap!

 

[ackosel]

I spent the ENTIRE afternoon planning, calculating and measuring for my next batch of soap. Here's hoping that I worked out all the mistakes in the first two or three calculations, and that the actual soap turns out nice! For the time I took getting it ready, it should be knock-your-socks-off amazing. But in reality, it's a rather simple soap.

 

[FFLinOhio]

finally made some MP soap after not being able to for over a year. A friend needed some honey and oatmeal soap. Been so long, I had to think twice before I did things lol. also made some Hemp soap for personal use.

 

[Vicki C]

Just made up some of @AliOop 's shower cleaner. Scented with lemon essential oil. Started thinking about my next batch of soap. Our dishwasher broke so I want to use the fewest dishes.

Okay… I need to know about the shower cleaner… just did a search but can’t find it. @AliOop sending up the bat signal! Please point me to it. My shower will thank you.

 

[Vicki C]

I just received two presents to myself - Tisserand’s “Essential Oil Safety” and Simi Kahbra’s “The Natural Soapmaking Handbook.” We have a snowstorm coming followed by a cold snap so I am going to cozy up next to the woodstove with my books.

 

[Zing]

Okay… I need to know about the shower cleaner… just did a search but can’t find it. @AliOop sending up the bat signal! Please point me to it. My shower will thank you.

You can find it here, https://www.soapmakingforum.com/threads/what-bath-body-thing-have-you-done-today.87378/post-946565 . I need a different term than "shower cleaner" -- I spray this after every shower to prevent water and soap spots. I use a different cleaner once per week.