Guest guest Posted November 13, 2006 Report Share Posted November 13, 2006 I've been reading these soap making questions. From the web soap making seemed relatively easy but now I'm reading about essential oils in soaps, silks, etc. Is it a trial and error process or is there some good literature to really explain things? I'm starting to feel a bit intimidated by what I'm reading here. Susan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 16, 2006 Report Share Posted November 16, 2006 There's quite a bit of trial and error in the soapmaking process, especially in finding the combination of oils. www.millersoap.com has some excellent info. HTH, Serra On 11/12/06, susan <ripple95 wrote: > > > I've been reading these soap making questions. From the web soap > making seemed relatively easy but now I'm reading about essential oils > in soaps, silks, etc. Is it a trial and error process or is there > some good literature to really explain things? I'm starting to feel a > bit intimidated by what I'm reading here. Susan > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 16, 2006 Report Share Posted November 16, 2006 There's quite a bit of trial and error in the soapmaking process, especially in finding the combination of oils. www.millersoap.-com has some excellent info. HTH, Serra > I've been reading these soap making questions. From the web soap > making seemed relatively easy but ... I'm starting to feel a > bit intimidated by what I'm reading here. Susan [Dave:] There is some trial and error in soapmaking. But it really is not very difficult, and like anything else, it’s a matter of repetition. You do learn by trial and error, but really it’s a matter of becoming intimate with a set of tools and materials by doing the same thing over and over, a little different each time perhaps, and keeping careful notes. Along the way you will no doubt do a lot of reading, and when questions come up this is a great place to ask ‘em. The way I always suggest that beginners approach soapmaking is to make a batch or two using simple, cheap ingredients like canola oil or shortening. This gives you a surprisingly nice batch of soap, one that you’ll be happy to use and even give to a friend or two. And you won’t have spent a bunch of money on exotic ingredients. Everyone wants to make gorgeous, wonderful soaps right away - and you will, sooner than you might think. But you can see the advantage of starting simple. If you decide you like making soap, then’s the time to pick up a gallon of olive oil, and some coconut and palm oils, etc. Make some batches using these oils, and experiment with some of the more luxurious oils like avocado or jojoba, whatever you like. Starting learning how to add colors and scents, too, by selecting one type of ingredient at a time (EOs/FOs, natural colors/dyes & pigments) and exploring what you can do with these. Along the way, you should learn to calculate your own lye. A pocket calculator makes it easy. There are many great lye calculators online, and they are a great resource. But being able to do the math yourself frees you to make adjustments as you go, and know ahead of time pretty much how your soap will turn out. As you master the craft, you will be able to tailor your formulas to specific needs or intentions. The unexpected often happens, and the disastrous sometimes does. Soap batches that go wrong can almost always be saved. It’s part science and part art, and it’s a lot of fun. -- Version: 7.1.409 / Virus Database: 268.14.6/536 - Release 11/16/2006 -- Version: 7.1.409 / Virus Database: 268.14.6/536 - Release 11/16/2006 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 17, 2006 Report Share Posted November 17, 2006 , " susan " <ripple95 wrote: > > I've been reading these soap making questions. From the web soap > making seemed relatively easy but now I'm reading about essential oils > in soaps, silks, etc. Is it a trial and error process or is there > some good literature to really explain things? I'm starting to feel a > bit intimidated by what I'm reading here. Susan http://waltonfeed.com/old/soap/soapchem.html This is a very easy to understand site on the basic chemistry of soap making. If you GOOGLE you will find tons of sites explaining the basics, starting with middle school science experiments. This is really very basic chemistry. But, you don't " have " to understand the chemistry to make soap. You can make soap by following a formula just like you bake a cake by following a recipe. Start with a kit. See if you even LIKE making it! I made soap a few times and found it wasn't a craft I enjoyed! I'd much rather buy it and use it than make it! Just like I'd rather eat out at a great restaurant than cook! But I learned enough about the process, the ingredients, etc to be an informed consumer. Sue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 17, 2006 Report Share Posted November 17, 2006 Something about soap making errors As you can always get some soap at the end, be sure to make profit of your errors ( I think I made ALL the possible mistakes) and learn a lot When you are bad tempered, do not make soap... It is an activity that gets the way you are in that day. It is really good when you invent your own recipes. Good trip Ane* Você quer respostas para suas perguntas? Ou você sabe muito e quer compartilhar seu conhecimento? Experimente o Respostas! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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