Crafty1 Posted October 19, 2009 Share Posted October 19, 2009 (edited) Okay I am a CP girl that is now starting to venture into the world of melt and pour. well i ventured into it a while ago but didn't stick with it, now i am back. Just wanted to know from you M&P gurus if you find that the cocoa butter, shea, goats milk, etc. bases are a waste of money? What I mean is would it be more economical to add at the recommended amount the butters/milk/etc. to a clear base vs. buying multiple bases? I guess I am looking for a way to 1) cut storage space and 2) unncessary spending. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Edited October 19, 2009 by Crafty1 typos Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crafty1 Posted October 20, 2009 Author Share Posted October 20, 2009 Okay I am a CP girl that is now starting to venture into the world of melt and pour. well i ventured into it a while ago but didn't stick with it, now i am back. Just wanted to know from you M&P gurus if you find that the cocoa butter, shea, goats milk, etc. bases are a waste of money? What I mean is would it be more economical to add at the recommended amount the butters/milk/etc. to a clear base vs. buying multiple bases? I guess I am looking for a way to 1) cut storage space and 2) unncessary spending. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thanksanyone? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lindanelson Posted October 20, 2009 Share Posted October 20, 2009 Since you already do CP...you have oils and butters to add already...so yes...buy a plain base and add to it.I buy the low sweat cp like melt and pour base from Brambleberry's and add shea butter and coconut oil and whatever else at the time. Works for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crafty1 Posted October 20, 2009 Author Share Posted October 20, 2009 cool. thanks for replying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Candybee Posted October 20, 2009 Share Posted October 20, 2009 Are you looking specifically for a clear base? Because not all 'clear' bases are the same. Some are more clear than others and some have a slight tint like 'blue' in them. Also adding some oils and butters will cloud the base. Folks use the clear base for embeds like fish toys etc so you can see them.If you are just looking for a base to start out with and it doesn't have to be clear use a white and add your butters, oils, goat's milk, etc. to it. Cheaper that way and you can be as creative as you want to be with your additives.You may want to shop around and try several sample bases from different suppliers til you find one you like. Bases can vary a lot between suppliers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crafty1 Posted October 20, 2009 Author Share Posted October 20, 2009 Thanks CandyBee. I have found a base that I am pleased with. I was moreso trying to figure out whether or not I will get the same benefits from adding goats milk to a clear base rather than buying a goats milk base Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crafty1 Posted October 20, 2009 Author Share Posted October 20, 2009 i think if i want cocoa, shea, goats milk etc. in my base that i will just buy that base. i have been experimenting with additives to the clear base and it seems that the soap tends to disappear faster than those that are just melted down with added fragrance opposed to added fragrance, oils, butters, etc. any thoughts on this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rebeccajo99 Posted October 20, 2009 Share Posted October 20, 2009 I don't know where you are getting your base from, but I am having that to. I am playing around with coconut oil and stearic acid (i baught the palm stearic). I tried beeswax, but had to add additional additives since my bubbles dissapeared with the beeswax. All of which is supposed to be harden up the bar. I just poured some yesterday with just stearic and will start testing that to see what happens. You may want to give that a try as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Candybee Posted October 20, 2009 Share Posted October 20, 2009 (edited) i think if i want cocoa, shea, goats milk etc. in my base that i will just buy that base. i have been experimenting with additives to the clear base and it seems that the soap tends to disappear faster than those that are just melted down with added fragrance opposed to added fragrance, oils, butters, etc. any thoughts on this?Different additives will have different effects on your soap; eg. coconut oil or olive oil added to the melted base will help harden the soap and add moisturizing and conditioning qualities.Some bases last longer (as a finished soap) than others. The reason may be the base is soft and melts in the bath/shower faster. To fix this try additives to harden your base; coconut oil, olive oil, palm stearic, beeswax, etc. You can use one or any combo. If you use OO use sparingly as this one tends to make your soap greasy if you use too much-- 1/2 to 1 tsp per lb.I typicaly use 1 tsp palm stearic; 1/2 to 1 tsp CO; and 1/2 to 1 tsp OO to one lb of soap to harden it and add moisturizing and conditioning.For a creamy soap add a TBS of milk; powdered or fresh or canned. If powdered then you need to reconstitute it before adding to base or you may get lumps. I add canned GM or Coconut milk to my soaps and it makes them creamy. I also add 1/2 to 1 tsp castor oil to 1 lb of base for ultra creamy bars and super moisturizing. Edited October 20, 2009 by Candybee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crafty1 Posted October 21, 2009 Author Share Posted October 21, 2009 I don't know where you are getting your base from, but I am having that to. I am playing around with coconut oil and stearic acid (i baught the palm stearic). I tried beeswax, but had to add additional additives since my bubbles dissapeared with the beeswax. All of which is supposed to be harden up the bar. I just poured some yesterday with just stearic and will start testing that to see what happens. You may want to give that a try as well.thanks I am using the SFIC base and I love the way it feels on my skin particularly the bar with added castor oil but it just disappears too fast for me. I guess because I have gotten use to CP bars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crafty1 Posted October 21, 2009 Author Share Posted October 21, 2009 Different additives will have different effects on your soap; eg. coconut oil or olive oil added to the melted base will help harden the soap and add moisturizing and conditioning qualities.Some bases last longer (as a finished soap) than others. The reason may be the base is soft and melts in the bath/shower faster. To fix this try additives to harden your base; coconut oil, olive oil, palm stearic, beeswax, etc. You can use one or any combo. If you use OO use sparingly as this one tends to make your soap greasy if you use too much-- 1/2 to 1 tsp per lb.I typicaly use 1 tsp palm stearic; 1/2 to 1 tsp CO; and 1/2 to 1 tsp OO to one lb of soap to harden it and add moisturizing and conditioning.For a creamy soap add a TBS of milk; powdered or fresh or canned. If powdered then you need to reconstitute it before adding to base or you may get lumps. I add canned GM or Coconut milk to my soaps and it makes them creamy. I also add 1/2 to 1 tsp castor oil to 1 lb of base for ultra creamy bars and super moisturizing.:yay::yay: Thank you very much. Your information has helped alot and possibly solved my dilemma with my test bar. I added 1 TBS of Castor Oil PPO and boy it felt really good on the skin but it disappeared too fast. I will be experimenting some more tonight so I am gonna try your recommendations with the stearic, olive and coconut oil. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Candybee Posted October 21, 2009 Share Posted October 21, 2009 I love the castor oil too! It makes such a lovely creamy rich bar of soap. SFIC is definitely a soft base and needs additives to harden.Along with the castor oil, try adding 1 tsp palm stearic; 1 tsp coconut oil; and 1/2 tsp olive oil to 1 lb base. After unmolding your finished soap let it set overnite to harden. It should be noticeably harder the next day. Try that bar of soap and if you still think its soft you can increase the palm stearic and CO in 1/2 tsp increments til you get a rock hard bar. This is the recipe I use and my customers always tell me my how long my soap lasts! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crafty1 Posted October 21, 2009 Author Share Posted October 21, 2009 I love the castor oil too! It makes such a lovely creamy rich bar of soap. SFIC is definitely a soft base and needs additives to harden.Along with the castor oil, try adding 1 tsp palm stearic; 1 tsp coconut oil; and 1/2 tsp olive oil to 1 lb base. After unmolding your finished soap let it set overnite to harden. It should be noticeably harder the next day. Try that bar of soap and if you still think its soft you can increase the palm stearic and CO in 1/2 tsp increments til you get a rock hard bar. This is the recipe I use and my customers always tell me my how long my soap lasts!Thanks again. I will try this tonight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crafty1 Posted October 22, 2009 Author Share Posted October 22, 2009 Candybee just wanted to make you aware of my results with your suggestions. I added 1 tsp of stearic, 1/2 tsp of coconut and olive to 1 pound of base. it made my bars much harder that they were with out and i tried a bar in the shower last night and generally after one use the bar would look as though nearly half of is disappeared. this time the bar looks like i was hoping as if you still have a great deal of soap to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rebeccajo99 Posted October 22, 2009 Share Posted October 22, 2009 Thanks for the information. I am going to try that next time Off to the store to buy olive oil. My tests with the bars of only stearic are looking good, but the weighing of them is showing that is still loosing about .2 to .4 oz each day... which I don't think is going to withstand the length of time I want out of a shower bar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crafty1 Posted October 22, 2009 Author Share Posted October 22, 2009 Thanks for the information. I am going to try that next time Off to the store to buy olive oil. My tests with the bars of only stearic are looking good, but the weighing of them is showing that is still loosing about .2 to .4 oz each day... which I don't think is going to withstand the length of time I want out of a shower bar.cool. that is a good idea i will weigh the bar after each use Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Candybee Posted October 22, 2009 Share Posted October 22, 2009 Crafty1 glad to hear the you had some success with your soapmaking. You can experiment some more with those ingredients if you want an even harder bar of soap. Just go easy on the OO as it can ruin the lather or make a greasy bar if too much is added. I would first try adding more stearic and then CO in that order before increasing any OO.Did you try any goats milk yet? I find adding 1/2 to 1 TBS to 1 lb of base works well for me. The softer the base the less you want to add. So start with 1/2 TBS or 2 tsp. See if that doesn't give you a creamier bar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prairieannie Posted October 24, 2009 Share Posted October 24, 2009 I would always add the goodies to plain white base rather than buy GM base, Shea base etc. But then again, I just love adding stuff to soap lol. It's so much fun to create and see what you get! Candybee gave you great advice.. I add quite a bit more goat milk to my soap, but she really gave you super good starting points! She knows what she's doing~ but you've already learned that! Have fun with it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msalex28a Posted November 1, 2009 Share Posted November 1, 2009 Are all those ingredients you suggested to add at a store? I just don't feel like ordering and paying for shipping right now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Candybee Posted November 2, 2009 Share Posted November 2, 2009 You can get goats milk, buttermilk, coconut milk, etc., and olive oil at any store or health food store. The coconut oil you could probably get at a Walmart although I never bought any from them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msalex28a Posted November 2, 2009 Share Posted November 2, 2009 You can get goats milk, buttermilk, coconut milk, etc., and olive oil at any store or health food store. The coconut oil you could probably get at a Walmart although I never bought any from them.What about stearic Acid? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Candybee Posted November 2, 2009 Share Posted November 2, 2009 soap or candle supplies supplier Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carriegsxr6 Posted November 10, 2009 Share Posted November 10, 2009 soap or candle supplies suppliercandle supply companies are much cheaper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msalex28a Posted December 27, 2009 Share Posted December 27, 2009 I typicaly use 1 tsp palm stearic; 1/2 to 1 tsp CO; and 1/2 to 1 tsp OO to one lb of soap to harden it and add moisturizing and conditioning. Which coconut oil? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.