Reg

That makes sense (since it was soapy when I got it wet), thanks!

I made a batch of CP soap with olive oil only, maybe I'll save one bar for a year to see if it gets better.

I made my second batch of HP soap, and when I cut it I found 5 or 6 white spots. I picked one out, and rubbed it between my fingers - it felt slippery like soap. So I added water, and it created bubbles and leather. So what is that? A soap that solidified just before I started pouring the soap into the mold? Something that didn't melt (even though I had it in a crock pot for one hour)? This is olive, soy, and coconut oil soap with oatmeal.

Those look so nice! I think I need a sompmaking calss too. I've read the book, and watched the videos, but nothing beats the real live demonstation, and feedback.

Thanks for replying! I decided to soak it, and give it another scrub. If it doesn't come off, the pot will be dedicated to the "official" soapmaking tool set. I am sure dear husband won't be too happy, but at least it's not the expensive one.

Are you following the directions at the top? Are you holding down the "CTRL" key when selecting oils?

I made my second batch of HP soap today, and after I washed and dried the crockpot, I noticed a whitish ring on the inside at the level where the top of the soap was as it was cooking. I tried scrubbing it again, and no luck. Did I ruin my crockpot, or is there something I can do to get rid of whatever it is? I am afraid to cook food in it now.

Oh my, there is definately a lot of information online! I sarted reading/watching, and pretty much got lost. There is so much cortradicting information, like one person says, "do not blend", yet others say, "use the stick blender", some people say the temperature should be 80 degrees, other say it's 120 degrees, and everything in between and beyond; cover yor molds, don't cover your molds... I thought I should just pick one person's method and stick with it for now. I am sure I'll end up owning at least 3 soapmaking books, becuse I like different perspectives on the same subject.

So "palm" is palm oil, or is it something else? I have not tried using this soap yet, I made it on 6/27, so I am waiting for it to cure.

Thanks for your reply! I am really new to soapmaking, I don't know what palm is? Would it disappear if I "hand mill" (rebatch) it?

The very first post says this: "Also, make sure the lye you choose is 100% sodium hydroxide and isn't drain cleaner. Which contains metal shavings and is unsuitable for soapmaking." The lye I bought is a drain cleaner, but it does say 100% lye on the bottle. So is this ok or not?

I made two batches of soap, one HP and one CP (these are my very first soaps), and I have no idea if they look like they are supposed to look. [ATTACH]20339[/ATTACH] this one is CP, made on June 26th. There are some spots on the cut side that look whiter then the rest of the soap, so I was wondering if it's just the way the soap hardens as it cures, or if that's lye. This is olive oil only soap, I made it 5% superfat, so theoreticly there should be no excess lye, but I have no idea for sure. [ATTACH]20340[/ATTACH] this one is HP olive and coconut oil, made on June 23rd. It really looks yellow, kidn of marbled, and somewhat translucent. Is this the way it's supposed to look?

I onlymade 2 batches of soap, and neither had that circle. I guess I am not sure what gell means. Is it a bit different texture when it gells, then when it doesn't gell?

Pardon my dumbness, but what does it mean to "force gell"?

Wow, I have lots to learn!!! Thank you everybody for replying!

which one would it be?

How do you keep HP soap thinner consistency?

So how long does CP soap stay caustic, just first few days, or all those 4-6 weeks while it's curing? (I have kids too)

I am absolutely new to soap making. I tried HP method a few days ago, and made a batch of CP soap just a few minutes ago. Now I am wondering which method is the preferred and why, please post your opinions.

Did you cut it yet? We want pictures P L E A S E!!!

I looked at the MSDS of olive oil just to see what it looks like. When I started reading "first aid measures", I just about fell out of my chair: http://www.oilsbynature.com/merchant2/docs/MSDS/OBN%20MSDS%20Olive%20Oil%20Extra%20Virgin.pdf