Godiva Posted April 29, 2008 Share Posted April 29, 2008 This is my first batch of CP soap - or rather of any soap whatsoever. Does this look normal? I made it up last Thursday, so it's only been 4 days. Here's the ingredients - no fragrance or coloring - orange because I used palm oil I found at farmer's market - all they had was orange in color, which I guess is the unrefined, unbleached type.palm 3.4 ozcoconut 3.4 ozpomace olive 3.4 ozcanola 1.3 ozsunflower 1.4 ozcastor .7 ozspring water 5.2 ozlye 2.1 ozI thought the soap would be all one consistent color. It looks kind of mottled and speckled, and the top looks different. So I'm thinking I did not do something right.The lye solution did not get that hot - only up to 120 degrees at hottest - but I did keep the spring water in the fridge - and it was a small batch - so I'm wondering if that's why it didn't get hotter.I mixed lye solution and oils at 100 degrees. I used a stick blender, shorts bursts and then stirring. Any helpful tips? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marisa Posted April 29, 2008 Share Posted April 29, 2008 Welcome to CP!! You did it, this dancing baby's for you. Your soap looks great for a first batch. My soap with the red palm oil turned out that way as well. Also the difference on the top is called ash, for what I can see in the picture. Sometimes you can prevent that by placing a piece of saran wrap gently on top after its fresh made . I use room temp water and stir well, not sure why your lye didnt get that hot maybe some one who uses water that cold can jump in. Anyways welcome to a whole new addiction! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Godiva Posted April 29, 2008 Author Share Posted April 29, 2008 Thanks Marisa - appreciate the response. I made a new batch today, same stuff - bigger batch - found a great old campbell's soup box that is 8.5 X 11 - used it like a slab mold. I used room temp distilled water, and this time the lye solution did get hotter - after it was dissolved, temp was around 155.Will see how it turns out this time! Going to have to order palm oil online though, can't find any around here, other than the red. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carriegsxr6 Posted April 29, 2008 Share Posted April 29, 2008 also make sure to cover and insulate your soap after you pour into the mold. this will help prevent the white spots (called ash) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soapbuddy Posted April 29, 2008 Share Posted April 29, 2008 Good job! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denise2456 Posted April 29, 2008 Share Posted April 29, 2008 Congrats. Your soap looks very good. And I know the next batch will be even better. Happy Soapmaking!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meridith Posted April 29, 2008 Share Posted April 29, 2008 Most excellent job!! I like the color. :yay: Insualting well can help prevent partial gel which to me is what it looks like along with a bit of ash. Neither will hurt your soap. It is more cosmetic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thecandlespastore Posted April 30, 2008 Share Posted April 30, 2008 Great job! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Godiva Posted April 30, 2008 Author Share Posted April 30, 2008 also make sure to cover and insulate your soap after you pour into the mold. this will help prevent the white spots (called ash)Most excellent job!! I like the color. :yay: Insualting well can help prevent partial gel which to me is what it looks like along with a bit of ash. Neither will hurt your soap. It is more cosmetic.I searched around on the net more, and saw where people were using comforters, several large towels, etc. I used a couple of kitchen towels, and it was a chilly day, too. So I think I didn't cover it very well. This time I have it covered with several big towels and a nice heavy flannel sheet. I'll be unwrapping in about 4 hours - can hardly wait!Thanks to all for all your responses! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenniejr Posted April 30, 2008 Share Posted April 30, 2008 Congrats on your very 1st soap!! Looks great Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louise Posted April 30, 2008 Share Posted April 30, 2008 Welcome to the wonderful world of soaping! Your first batch looks terrific! And yep, what Meridith said, looks like you got a partial gel, but insulating better will help with that. I can't wait to see your next batch(s)! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soapbuddy Posted April 30, 2008 Share Posted April 30, 2008 Or don't cover at all and don't gel. It's still soap in the end. I prefer non-gelled soaps, but that's my personal preference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Godiva Posted May 1, 2008 Author Share Posted May 1, 2008 Or don't cover at all and don't gel. It's still soap in the end. I prefer non-gelled soaps, but that's my personal preference.I'll have to try this too - so many things to try - I can hardly sleep at night thinking about soap and candle making.BTW - your site is gorgeous. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soapbuddy Posted May 1, 2008 Share Posted May 1, 2008 I'll have to try this too - so many things to try - I can hardly sleep at night thinking about soap and candle making.BTW - your site is gorgeous.Thanks!If you think you might get ash, try spraying the top with alcohol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ilovescents Posted May 2, 2008 Share Posted May 2, 2008 I'll have to try this too - so many things to try - I can hardly sleep at night thinking about soap and candle making.BTW - your site is gorgeous.I've been making soap for 1 1/2 years now and still have the same excitement and sometimes sleepless nights thinking of the next fragrance I can soap. It's Super Addicting!Your soap is gorgeous . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ilovescents Posted May 2, 2008 Share Posted May 2, 2008 Thanks!If you think you might get ash, try spraying the top with alcohol.Oh my, I really have to try that technique. Thanks for sharing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heidijo Posted May 4, 2008 Share Posted May 4, 2008 Congratulations on your first attempt! :highfive: I haven't worked up the courage yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrandmaArial Posted May 5, 2008 Share Posted May 5, 2008 For me, on cold days, the oven works best to insure even gel (preheated to 170 then turned off before soap is put in). If the oven is busy (silly husband expects me to use it for food on occasion) I have an old ice chest I put a heating pad in (on high) and set the mold on top of. Turn the heating pad off in about an hour. Monitor the first couple batches to learn what your recipe will do, you don’t want to over heat it. I turn it off when the gel is almost in the corners (about 90% of surface shows gel, residual heat will force the rest into gel). If you don’t want to gel try sticking the mold in the freezer a few hours before pouring then stick it in the refrigerator over night after pouring. I think I learned that from Carebear and I finally can make ungelled soap! I prefer gelled soap, simply because it seems to cure faster. I cure HP two to three weeks (yes, I know theoretically it is useable as soon as it’s cool, but it feels better after a couple weeks in the curing closet), gelled CP 4 to 5 weeks, and ungelled CP 6 to 8 weeks before it feels good enough on my skin to be wrapped. That is at 75 to 80 degrees F with 20% humidity, and fans to circulate the air. That is some nice looking soap, especially for first try. You will get better… and become more addicted with each batch. I like to soap food and have become so bad my husband has started putting notes on produce saying “this is NOT for soap”. You will spend hours at a time and all your spare money testing oils to feel their different properties. And you will look like a prune from testing them. Just go ahead and put the phone next to the tub, that’s where you’ll be taking your calls. Have fun! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MommaD Posted May 7, 2008 Share Posted May 7, 2008 Great job! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EarthScents Posted May 9, 2008 Share Posted May 9, 2008 Congrats and welcome to the addictive and never boring wonderful world of soapmaking!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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