ruba Posted October 11, 2006 Share Posted October 11, 2006 After a few years of wanting to make CP and months of research, I finally made my first batch of CP!! Yes it is boring (no color no scent), yes it is ugly, yes I suck at cutting...( I really wasn't trying to make them even...too lazy at the time, the bars a small rectangles not the size I will end up doing later)...but I still did it. And I do have questions now. I am assuming that the whiteish "crust" on top is ash...when and how do I go about getting rid of it. I made it Sunday and cut it Monday...is it too late? Can I use a metal cheese cutter to get it off? These are going out to friends to test out...I want to do a batch that is scented OMH for C-mas gifts, but don't want them to be crappy...KWIM? So I am planning on doing a second batch with a few different oils that this one and see what they like better. I need to know what the numbers in soap calc REALLY mean... I know what the recommended numbers are...I just want to know why and what the difference is for them. What kinds of things should I be asking my "testers" regarding the soap?? I searched and couldn't find what I was looking for...it was probably under my nose and I missed it... so I am sorry if I am asking a silly question.Thank you in advance for any advice you wonderful people have for me. Now the pics... warning...ugly soap ahead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carriegsxr6 Posted October 11, 2006 Share Posted October 11, 2006 Perfect white soap Congrats. In order to prevent ash, you need to cover the top of the soap with saran wrap after you pour it and cover with towels to insulate it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruba Posted October 11, 2006 Author Share Posted October 11, 2006 Thanks Carrie!! I did cover it...but with a piece of cardboard and then with 2 towels. When I peaked after an hour I didn't see anything like gel going on...but I wasn't really sure what I was looking for either.Can I cut it off or should I just leave it on and give my friends the "ugly soap but works" warning???I will definitely put saran wrap on the next batch. I didn't even think of using that...DH got the cardboard because I said I didn't want the towels touching the soap. Thanks for the advice, I really appreciate it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cindym Posted October 11, 2006 Share Posted October 11, 2006 You can slice it off with a cheese slicer if it bothers you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scented Posted October 11, 2006 Share Posted October 11, 2006 Now who had the method of giving it a borax dip wasn't it to get rid of the ash? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TexasBrat Posted October 12, 2006 Share Posted October 12, 2006 Congrats on your first batch of soap. :highfive: I have those wooden bowls too from Target. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OutlandishLady Posted October 12, 2006 Share Posted October 12, 2006 Looks great! Welcome to a new & exciting addiction Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenniejr Posted October 12, 2006 Share Posted October 12, 2006 Nice soapies Welcome to your new addiction! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purple Lilac Posted October 12, 2006 Share Posted October 12, 2006 Nothing wrong with white soap, it looks great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LovelyLathers Posted October 12, 2006 Share Posted October 12, 2006 Nice job. Isn't a great feeling making your first? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CareBear Posted October 12, 2006 Share Posted October 12, 2006 The ash is no big deal. You can remove it by "planing" the top off the soap, or scrubbing it with a damp washcloth (you can wet it with rubbing alcohol instead of water if you wish). Or leave it as is - tell folks it's supposed to be that way - what'll they know???Look around for the scent review link (I can never find it when I want it) and in the fragrance section for comments on different OMH's - some rice if I remember correctly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ashwini Posted October 12, 2006 Share Posted October 12, 2006 pls tell me the recepie... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruba Posted October 12, 2006 Author Share Posted October 12, 2006 Thanks everyone for the wonderful advice and all the encouraging comments! The ash does bug me so I will probably cut it or wipe it off tomorrow. After being in my Chemistry class this semester and handling all sorts of salts and acids...I figured it was time to jump in and stop being a chicken "sheet". I have no idea what I was so worried about...well, it was the fact that I have DD who is 6 and DS who just turned 2...and my fears that they would get hurt. I feel good with one under my belt...but as you all KNOW... it is NOT enough... another monster has been created.TexasBrat-gotta love the $1 spot at Target...the bowls were so friggin cute that I just had to buy them and figured I will use them most likely for gift sets...I got 3 styles of them.ashwini- I saw your beautiful soaps earlier and was going to leave a comment then got pulled away by the family...darn them. It looks great. The recipe is a simple one, nothing fancy in it33% Coconut Oil30%Crisco20% Olive Oil12% Soybean Oil5% Castor Oilthe numbers from soap calc were39 hardness22 cleansing56 conditioning27 bubbly lather21 creamy lather68 iodine154 INSNot sure what all the numbers really mean but I think they were all in the recommended range. I am going to make another batch that is more cleansing and harder, I dont remember the rest of the differences were but I want to know what the numbers mean and the only way to really know is to do it and test them out.If anyone sees a big problem with the recipe I used, please let me know what I can do different. I was just messing around with the oils I had on hand this weekend and was trying for something decent.... we'll see what happens. Thanks again!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michi Posted October 12, 2006 Share Posted October 12, 2006 Nice soap!! You did it, see it wasn't soo hard huh? Hey, I was eyeballing those wooden bowls/baskets, thinking "I gotta have those!!" I can't believe those were in in the $1 area at Target-WOW!!Now I just wish I had a Target nearby. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denise2456 Posted October 12, 2006 Share Posted October 12, 2006 Congrats on your first handmade soap. Oh I know that there will be plenty more in the future. Have Fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carriegsxr6 Posted October 12, 2006 Share Posted October 12, 2006 Thanks everyone for the wonderful advice and all the encouraging comments! The ash does bug me so I will probably cut it or wipe it off tomorrow. After being in my Chemistry class this semester and handling all sorts of salts and acids...I figured it was time to jump in and stop being a chicken "sheet". I have no idea what I was so worried about...well, it was the fact that I have DD who is 6 and DS who just turned 2...and my fears that they would get hurt. I feel good with one under my belt...but as you all KNOW... it is NOT enough... another monster has been created.TexasBrat-gotta love the $1 spot at Target...the bowls were so friggin cute that I just had to buy them and figured I will use them most likely for gift sets...I got 3 styles of them.ashwini- I saw your beautiful soaps earlier and was going to leave a comment then got pulled away by the family...darn them. It looks great. The recipe is a simple one, nothing fancy in it33% Coconut Oil30%Crisco20% Olive Oil12% Soybean Oil5% Castor Oilthe numbers from soap calc were39 hardness22 cleansing56 conditioning27 bubbly lather21 creamy lather68 iodine154 INSNot sure what all the numbers really mean but I think they were all in the recommended range. I am going to make another batch that is more cleansing and harder, I dont remember the rest of the differences were but I want to know what the numbers mean and the only way to really know is to do it and test them out.If anyone sees a big problem with the recipe I used, please let me know what I can do different. I was just messing around with the oils I had on hand this weekend and was trying for something decent.... we'll see what happens. Thanks again!!Those are great numbers, congrats again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lisajo Posted October 12, 2006 Share Posted October 12, 2006 congratulations! :highfive: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shutterbugg Posted October 12, 2006 Share Posted October 12, 2006 Woooho looks good. That deserves the dancing baby!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kaybee23 Posted October 12, 2006 Share Posted October 12, 2006 Very nice for your first soap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maryann Posted October 13, 2006 Share Posted October 13, 2006 Wonderful first soaps.... LOOK OUT its addicting !!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerriWV Posted October 13, 2006 Share Posted October 13, 2006 I think you did a great job. I like those wood containers to the right as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruba Posted October 13, 2006 Author Share Posted October 13, 2006 Thanks again guys/gals for the kind posts. I did end up cutting of the ash and I feel much better about how it looks now. Wow, cutting is going to take A LOT of practice. Maybe I will have to invest in a Kelsie...man those look cool. But for now I will have to deal with the "rustic" looking soaps with crazy edges:D . Not that there is anything wrong with the rustic look...I am just one of those gotta be "90 degrees" girls...can you say O.C.D.??Thanks again and I will post more pics of future batches...and you KNOW there will be more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnitaG Posted October 13, 2006 Share Posted October 13, 2006 WTG:yay: you will be hooked Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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