Guest guest Posted November 13, 2004 Report Share Posted November 13, 2004 I need to start learning soaping somewhere!! The group has posted several great links to get me started reading and learning over the time I've been here. I decided to start by using melt and pours/rebatching bases. It sounds like all I need do is melt, add my own eos then pour into molds until they set. Is that correct? What else do I need to know about how to melt? I was thinking of using a crock pot without the top on for slow, non- hydrated melting (don't have to worry about moisture getting in there). Any kind of mold? Could I pick up plastic pipe tubing and what could I use to push the soap out or would that damage the whole product? Also, any old sharp knife (to forever be the " soap knife " ) or should I really have a special cutter for soap? I've been to the soapmaking sites that the list has recommended and I'm sure I'm understanding correctly above but of course there's nothing that specifically says " yes, it's that simple. " Are there any additives I could easily put into certain melt & pours or vice versa, never use in a melt and pour? Thanks! It's only taken me two years to feel like I just might be able to do this. Hard to imagine that this girl who wears her heart on her sleeve could be so cautious. LOL Dale Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 14, 2004 Report Share Posted November 14, 2004 Hi Dale! Well, melt and pour is just that....you melt and pour into your molds. You can add fragrance, color and a small amount of oils or butters....but you have to be careful how much you add, or the soap will not lather, and it may not set up. If you are using a homemade base, then it's done as a rebatch, and it can be a pain in the tail to get it melted properly. You either have base that has unsightly chunks, or you can add too much liquid, and the soap doesn't want to set up properly. www.millersoap.com has detailed instructions for rebatch. Yes, you can use any old knife, or you can get the more fancy ones that cut with the crinkled edge. Yes, you can use the PVC pipe....it will need to be greased....I prefer vaseline, and the soap will slide out easily. You can shape a piece of wood to fit inside the pipe and use a strong stick to push the soap out. Or even use your hand, if the pipe is big enough. If there's any other questions you have, please contact me. I will be more than happy to tell you anything I know regarding soap making. I think that you would love making soap from scratch. At first I was afraid, because of the 'lye' thing, but it's really not bad, as long as you pay attention to what you are doing, and take safety precautions. HTH, Candy in AL cdlucas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 14, 2004 Report Share Posted November 14, 2004 Hi Dale, What part of the country do you live in? You can usually find a soaper in your area that would be willing to have a " play day " & teach you soapmaking cold process method. Even m & p is just not melting & pouring if you want a really good bar. I do cp, to me m & p is an art in itself, I've seen some that I wouldn't want to ever use, they need to be showcased *S*. No matter what you make you need to know your essential oils for amount to use, skin reactions, etc. There are amounts to be used per pound whether it's eo's or fo's. Same with oils that are used, oils have different properties & the one you use along with the amount is dependent on what you want it to do. Don't know if I've helped or caused more questions~~~ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 14, 2004 Report Share Posted November 14, 2004 Hi Candy! That is EXACTLY what I'm afraid of...the lye!! With little ones (humans and critters) in the house!! You bet I'll be contacting you. Just hope I don't pester! I know I saved the post on what essential tools to have on hand. About to go pull it and figure out a way to buy the stuff and hide it from dh. Dale - C. Lucas If there's any other questions you have, please contact me. I will be more than happy to tell you anything I know regarding soap making. I think that you would love making soap from scratch. At first I was afraid, because of the 'lye' thing, but it's really not bad, as long as you pay attention to what you are doing, and take safety precautions. HTH, Candy in AL cdlucas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 14, 2004 Report Share Posted November 14, 2004 Dale, do you have a child gate, or an opening to your kitchen that would allow it? I missed the original post I guess from Candy, but I too would recommend to ANYONE to make their own soap! It has less chemicals in it than commercial bars, and even M & P. If anyone has a problem making their first batch..just post it to the list, as I know there are several of us saponifiers on the list. Anita in TX Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 14, 2004 Report Share Posted November 14, 2004 Maybe you all remember that I had also asked for a recipe for making unpetroleum jelly. I thought of something while considering what I had on hand already that would do for blending the honey and the oil and now for melt & pours. Also, in considering what soap bases to buy and try....I heard nice things about Chris' shea base. One piece of advice I received was to watch out for moisture getting into my mixes - whether for the jelly or for an idea we tossed around about making candy requiring melting chocolate. Would the same hold true for melt & pour soap bases? Hmmm.....would that be a different consideration for your shea base from the other M & Ps Chris? I have a slow cooker (love them for cooking...made the recipe Chris posted for chicken soup using the cham tea bags). I thought I'd use that so as not to worry about moisture ruining my batch of the jelly. I was thinking I would leave the lid off so as not to have moisture collect and I would use the low setting then move to the 'serve' setting. Welll...I should say...maybe buy a new slow cooker for this hobby. Folks kindly reminded me of their permanently EO scented utensils and my ylang knocked over in my kitchen sink fiasco a few years back. Still get woozy smelling that oil! Anyone have any thoughts before I experiment w/ the slow cooker? Dale Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 14, 2004 Report Share Posted November 14, 2004 I'm in eastern CT and I agree with your thoughts! Absolutely I know that there is an art to M & P....when I first joined this list I lamented that I wanted to learn more before allowing my kids to make soaps. You see...they were always getting 'kits' from arts and crafts stores. No matter how hard I tried I couldn't get my family to understand that I didn't want them using those kits because there really wasn't any creativity involved AND I wanted my kids to be eco conscious and use natural wherever they can - not just in what they eat. AND I really want them to appreciate the time and dedication crafters have for the beauty they bring to the rest of us. So, here I am two years later ready to try a REAL soapmaking lesson and learn the craft from all of you. I have different hydrosols and EOs on hand. I want to purchase a natural base and support those suppliers who do that. Dale - hahagranny Hi Dale, ... snip ... Don't know if I've helped or caused more questions~~~ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 15, 2004 Report Share Posted November 15, 2004 Dale, You will in NO WAY pester me! If you have any questions at all, please feel free to contact me! If you lived closer, I'd have you over to teach you! If you ever make it down around Alabama way....just let me know! I actually started making soap because of all of the skin disorders I have. <sigh> Soap hasn't cured the problem, but it's not making the problems worse, like the store brands always have. <grin> I'll tell you, I haven't really purchased alot of stuff for soapmaking. I got a stainless steel stock pot, a stick blender, some glass containers to mix my lye in, and made my own wooden slab molds to pour the soap in. I bought some other things later, and I have to admit, I usually stick with the main 3 or 4 things I started with. I know of some folks that use plastic pitchers to mix their lye in, and I tried that to begin with, and it ate the plastic right through! So, I now only use glass and stainless steel items that will come into contact with lye. I understand your concern over working with lye around children and pets.....it's best to teach your kiddos to respect the lye, and not come around, when you are working with it. And the pets....unless you are mixing it in the floor, I don't think you have much to worry about. I always sweep the kitchen well after using lye, just in case. And if I KNOW I spilled any, then I sweep well, and then mop with a vinegar solution, to neutralize any lye that I might have missed by sweeping. If you haven't looked already, take a look at Miller Soaps. www.millersoap.com She has anything and everything you'd want to know about soap making on her site. This is where I learned. I never bought a book....never took any lessons. I just took the bull by the horns, and made my first batch. I just KNEW I'd mess up! But it came out great. And after 2 years of soapmaking, I've only had 1 batch that didn't turn out the best. And I rebatched it. Anyhoo.....sorry to be so long winded....can you tell I love making soap? LOL Seriously, if you need to know anything....don't be afraid to ask. I'll help you all I can, and I know the other saponifiers here will be more than happy to help! Take care, and I hope you decide to jump in with both feet! Candy > > Hi Candy! > > That is EXACTLY what I'm afraid of...the lye!! With little ones (humans > and critters) in the house!! > > You bet I'll be contacting you. Just hope I don't pester! I know I saved > the post on what essential tools to have on hand. About to go pull it and > figure out a way to buy the stuff and hide it from dh. > > Dale -- Version: 7.0.289 / Virus Database: 265.2.2 - Release 11/12/2004 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 15, 2004 Report Share Posted November 15, 2004 Hi Dale, Yep, all us addicts--I mean, soapmakers, sure will help all we can--just holler. Hugs and good luck, Serra " C. Lucas " wrote: > Dale, > > You will in NO WAY pester me! If you have any questions at all, please feel > free to contact me! > > If you lived closer, I'd have you over to teach you! If you ever make it > down around Alabama way....just let me know! > > I actually started making soap because of all of the skin disorders I have. > <sigh> Soap hasn't cured the problem, but it's not making the problems > worse, like the store brands always have. <grin> > > I'll tell you, I haven't really purchased alot of stuff for soapmaking. <judicious snip, sorry> > > Anyhoo.....sorry to be so long winded....can you tell I love making soap? > LOL Seriously, if you need to know anything....don't be afraid to ask. > I'll help you all I can, and I know the other saponifiers here will be more > than happy to help! > > Take care, and I hope you decide to jump in with both feet! > Candy > -- eBay Seller ID jadenhaize Check out the opening of my eBay store!! Nice stuff and great prices! http://stores.ebay.com/SerrasSecretSurplus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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