1. I'm just doing the melt and mold glyercin soap, is the container I use to melt it in going to be easy to clean afterwards, or do I need to use something I don't care about?

2. I'm going to set little toys into it. Obviously I need to wait until it sets a bit before putting the toys in, but any tips on that? How long to wait? What's the best consistency to add solid objects?

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Originally posted by BionicGirl:
Okay, I was planning on making some soap this week but I have a few questions:

1. I'm just doing the melt and mold glyercin soap, is the container I use to melt it in going to be easy to clean afterwards, or do I need to use something I don't care about?

2. I'm going to set little toys into it. Obviously I need to wait until it sets a bit before putting the toys in, but any tips on that? How long to wait? What's the best consistency to add solid objects?

3. Won't adding food coloring cause stains later (like on a hand towel or washcloth)? Food coloring stains, man.

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1. I used an old pyrex bowl that cleaned just fine though the soap that dribbled down the outside did slightly discolor the glass. So I think if you use a clear glass bowl you'd have no troubles. I've also melted it in styrofoam coffee cups and that worked out fine by stirring often.

2. When the soap starts to set it sets on the surface first, so if you wait too long to jam your toy in the surface won't recover. I didn't really have any issue with putting the stuff in pretty much right away.

3. I got coloring for soap because food coloring will make joke soap (bwa ha haaa.) The stuff inside the colored soap was more obscured than I guessed... you might want to experiment with color on less-prized objects.

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Originally posted by crowjoy:
2. When the soap starts to set it sets on the surface first, so if you wait too long to jam your toy in the surface won't recover. I didn't really have any issue with putting the stuff in pretty much right away.

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What if you pour the mold a little less than halfway full, let it set a little, and then put the toy in before finishing the pouring?

I made some melt and pour glycerin soap in the past, and my pumice always sank to the bottom. I used it to my benefit to make great foot scrubbies, but it wasn't what I was initially going for. I'd like to prevent it this time around.

Basically, the rebatching soap I bought I think was cold-processed (it's NOT glycerin soap), and made with the intention that you shred it, melt it, add your color and additives, etc. Similar to melt and pour glycerin but the process is a little more complicated, and the finished soap is hand-milled and much nicer.

I haven't tried it, so I don't know how well it works.

Edited because "mantioned" is not a word, although it oughta be.

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Originally posted by sweet tea:
Any one have any good ideas for packaging soaps? Usually I just stack a few together and sit them in the middle of a square of saran wrap, pull the corners together, twist and then tape the twisty part down... or tie a ribbon around the twisty part. It looks okay, but I'm trying to think of a more professional looking way to package my soaps. Any ideas?

Sarah

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Maybe if you got some nice quality thick paper and wrapped it, like a present, and then sealed the part where the edges come together with sealing wax? I think I've seen some done like that at Crabtree & Evelyn.

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Originally posted by sweet tea:
Any one have any good ideas for packaging soaps? Usually I just stack a few together and sit them in the middle of a square of saran wrap, pull the corners together, twist and then tape the twisty part down... or tie a ribbon around the twisty part. It looks okay, but I'm trying to think of a more professional looking way to package my soaps. Any ideas?

Sarah

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In answer to your q:

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Originally posted by BionicGirl:
1. I'm just doing the melt and mold glyercin soap, is the container I use to melt it in going to be easy to clean afterwards, or do I need to use something I don't care about?
It's soap. It will wash out of what you melt it in. I'd suggest a glass jug and use the microwave or a double boiler. Don't use plastic as it could melt and it will absorb your smells.
[quote]2. I'm going to set little toys into it. Obviously I need to wait until it sets a bit before putting the toys in, but any tips on that? How long to wait? What's the best consistency to add solid objects?

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3. Won't adding food coloring cause stains later (like on a hand towel or washcloth)? Food coloring stains, man.

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Originally posted by jescat:
[B]A friend and I followed instructions from ReadyMade magazine and started making our own soap with lye and olive oil. Kinda dangerous and you have to be REALLY careful with the lye (insert Fight Club reference). It has to cure for at least 3 weeks before you use it, but once it's ready, the lye is all gone.[B]

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Making soap is so much fun! Just keep in mind though that:

1. Recipes in books and magazines are often not correctly balanced and you can end up with a soap that has far too much lye in it, or has too much oil left over. Soap isn't made perfectly balanced - it's made so that there is some oils left over to moisturise. Run any recipe through a calculator like the one on www.the-sage.com

2. Soap doesn't need to cure for any time before being used. The saponification process is actually over and done with in 24-48 hours and you can use the soap then. WHat it does need to do is dry out or else it dissolves really quickly. There are methods (discount water, hot process etc) that mean you can literally make the soap one day and use it the next!

3. I've been making soap for 6 years and really should just write a book rather than prattling on like this.

What you bought is indeed cold processed soap and is real soap as compared to m&p which is syndet. If you melt it slowly it will go like very thick cake batter so when you stir stuff in it won't sink. Your soap shouldn't need any extra liquid or else it can become alien brain soap when it dries.

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Hi there,
I am starting my first endeavor of soap-making for christmas gifts this year. Just wondering if others have had success (or failure? )and if there are any tips for a first-time soap gal!

Thanks!

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