AnnieD Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 Hi! I'm new here and new to soap making. So far, I love it!I have only done two small batches to begin the learning process, but I already want to try to add an oil or butter to make my soap more moisturizing. I would like to add cocoa butter to begin. Is it best to add cocoa butter to white base or can you use it with clear base, too?Also, I have a book with some interesting recipes. One calls for mashed banana added to shaved soap that has been melted. I'd love to try that one, but with the banana, would there be a spoilage issue??Thanks for any input! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Candybee Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 (edited) Cocoa butter makes a nice ingredient to add to your soap base. You can add it to any base. But if you want to keep your clear base clear be careful what you add to it. Some additives will cloud or discolor it.If you scroll thru the M&P pages you will come across a M&P recipe thread I started. It has several pages of recipes, additives you can use, and tips for making all kinds of soap.Never tried adding mashed banana before. But I have used fresh lemon juice, orange & lemon zest, oatmeal, honey, fresh and canned milks, mashed strawberries with good results. Most bases are very forgiving and will accept a variety of additives. I always start out with the basic rule of thumb and don't add more than 2 tbs (1 oz) of additives to a pound of base. Some bases accept more additives while others lose their lather with just small amounts. But most will take 1-2 tbs of additives. Use that rule for any one additive or combination of additives then you can always adjust your amounts from there. Edited August 30, 2011 by Candybee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Candybee Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 Here's the recipe thread:http://www.craftserver.com/forums/showthread.php?90126-M-amp-P-Recipes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChandlerWicks Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 Thanks from me too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnnieD Posted August 30, 2011 Author Share Posted August 30, 2011 Thanks, CandyBee, for the link to your thread. I already want to try the Lemon Sugar one!!When using add-ins (like the banana or the strawberry that you mentioned), is there any concern with spoilage or mold, etc?? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Candybee Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 I only used 1 tbs mashed strawberries or lemon juice etc. per lb of base. No problems with spoiliage at all. What are the bananas added to the base supposed to do? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnnieD Posted August 31, 2011 Author Share Posted August 31, 2011 I only used 1 tbs mashed strawberries or lemon juice etc. per lb of base. No problems with spoiliage at all. What are the bananas added to the base supposed to do?Well, here is a link to the actual recipe in the book! After reading more closely, it looks as if the Vitamin E oil and citric acid act as preservatives. I'm very intrigued by this recipe and hope to try it as I learn more about soaping.http://books.google.com/books?id=ow3cd7iJk-QC&pg=PA43&lpg=PA43&dq=banana+slice+soap&source=bl&ots=FAxpY0Hoix&sig=8LO9eR6Pb0JJOnTUFAqSeSbsyZ0&hl=en&ei=OZBdTtbBPIjrgQej5PGIAg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=4&ved=0CEUQ6AEwAw#v=onepage&q=banana%20slice%20soap&f=false Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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