Why does all my soap smell like oatmeal?????

[sweetie-pie]

Hi all!

I'm new here and have been lurking and reading the posts. There is so much information here. I'm so glad I found this forum. Well I have successfully made two CP batches. I'm hooked. I'm having dreams about soap and I can't go into a store without thinking about what might work as a mold. My husband thinks I've lost my mind!

Anyway, to my question. The first soap I made was an oatmeal complexion bar. It had oatmeal in it, duh. Main oils were Crisco, olive and coconut.

The second batch I made was an Avocado recipe. The main oils in this one were Lard, olive and coconut. The only thing I added to this was a Bergamot EO scent.

It also smells like oatmeal!!!!

Does anyone know what is making it smell like oatmeal?

Thanks in advance!

Jennifer

 

[Zenobiah]

How much EO did you add? The natural soap smell is not all that bad, I think.

 

[sweetie-pie]

I added 2 teaspoons for a 1 lb bar. I guess maybe the oatmeal smell is actually just the natural soap smell.

I was thinking it might have something to do with the olive or coconut oil. I also used extra virgin olive oil, and I've read that might not be the best oil to use in soap.

 

[PhillipJ]

I read somewhere once that extra virgin is difficult to sapofy, and takes a lot longer to cure. Don't know if there is any truth to it or not.

For me, any time I make soap, it's like picking a number out of a hat as to what it will turn out like. It seems to change so much as it sapofies. But that's from inexperience and it keeps it from getting boring.

 

[Soapmaker Man]

Yea, it's probably just the smell of the lye reacting with the acids, oils, to make soap. I see you used lard, it will smell kinda like thatduring and after saponification. 8) Not to worry, as it ages and cures, the smell will go away. 8) I kinda like that smell, as it reminds me of my grandma cooking old fashoned lye soap when I was a kid! Good dern soap lard makes!

Paul... :wink: