Have a Soap Making Question?

canola oil vs canola shortening 
Can canola oil be substituted for the canola shortening? How different will the soap look?

Answer:
Assuming that the shortening contains nothing ...

Using Fruits/Veggies in Soap--Preservative Questions 
I really want to make some soap using fruits and vegetables and I'm thinking that means I need to use a preservative of some sort (right?).

I keep ...

Orris Root curiosity  
I have found your site so interesting and have learnt a lot, thank you.. I do have a question about Orris Root and that is why do you add it to many of ...

Decorating and swirling and soap box measurements 
I make soap but I can just not get the swirling and coloring right!! I read your decorating page, but would love a step by step layout of how to layer,...

Egg shaped soaps 
I've asked a question before, and found the info very useful. So now I have another question. I'm wondering if it's possible to make an egg shaped soap,...

Storage solutions 
I am new to making melt and pour soap and was wondering what is the best way to store the soaps oncce they are made?

I have read that they must be wrapped-...

Lessons 
I was just wondering if you guys give out lessons. My friends and I were interested in doing this over the summer but we're too scared to do it by ourselves....

Refined Shea Butter or Bleached and Deodorized Shea Butter? 
Do you recommend the use of unrefined shea butter in your recipes? What are the pros and cons of each? Thank you

Answer:

Unrefined shea butter ...

Clarity of keeping soap clear after an embed 
I have been trying to make soap - pouring a clear layer, adding a piece of paper with writing, i.e. date and names and then adding a color layer to finish ...

Recipe for soap for ezcema 
Would like a recipe that would help soothe granddaughter's ezcema and rash she gets when she comes to Gma' house.

We live in the country, she loves ...

Why use confectioners sugar in a soap recipe? 
I saw this in your basic soap recipe and wondered why? I searched the internet and haven't found an answer. Thanks!

Answer:

Linda,

Sugar is ...

Shortening ratio/percent? 
In my city, I can't find hard oils. So I use soft oils. The result is that soap can not be traced. I was suggested to use shortening. Can you help me to ...

Is Rubbing Alcohol Neccessary? 
What an amazing site you have! There is so much information that you've shared with us, thankyou!

I would like to try some of the techniques you have ...

Laundry bar soap recipe 
I am looking for a recipe that makes a bar of soap specifically for laundry. Do you have or know of such a recipe?

Answer:
Hi Cris,

I sure do!...

Soap decorated with [photo/picture]  
I have seen soaps with pictures/photos on the top surface.e.g. animals, people etc.

What type of paper could they be made off and how would they ...

Marble and CP soap 
I have tried so many times to get my CP soap to marble. It usually just floats to the top. I have used several methods suggested and nothing works. Could ...

What is a good label program? 
I am trying to cut costs down as much as possible so I have been trying to make my own labels. Everything I have done seems so black and white and plain....

Cooking oil vs Carrier oil? 
In my country, cooking oil is rather cheaper than carrier oil. I read a lot but still don't understand if most of the mentioned oils in soap making are ...

Cp soaps, how should they be wrapped? 
Is it ok to wrap Cold process soaps (after they're cured) in plastic like melt & pour soaps or should they be allowed to breathe?

Answer:
My feelings ...

Shea butter substitute 
Can I use lard in place of shea butter?

Answer:

You certainly can use lard instead of shea butter but you will have to run the adjusted recipe ...

Preventing clumps in ultramarines and oxides 

Just wondering what you do to remove the clumps in the ultramarines and oxides.

Thanks
Jacqueline

Answer:

To remove clumps in ultramarines ...

Fizz balls/ bath bombs 
Which emulsifier do you use to make fizz balls/bath bombs. Apparantly there are two types available: oil into water & water into oil.

Thank you
Zene ...

Gel Phase and a swirly appearance 
I really make an effort to gel my soaps so that the swirls or patterns on the top are not disfigured by soda ash. So I soap at about 110 degrees, put the ...

Fractionated Coconut Oil 
I made a few soap batches with fractionated coconut oil. When I cut it into bars I realised that the soap's colour is darker (in comparison with soap I ...

Colouring Soap and Lip Balms 
Which of the following are better for coloring soaps and which are better for adding just a hint of color to lip balms? Micas, Oxides or ultramarines?...

Big Batch 
My family fell in love with the Shea butter and Coconut milk soap recipe. I was wondering what would be the measurements in making a 10lbs batch for this ...

Dead Sea Mud Soap 
Hi,

I've been using your recipes for quite a while now. I love them! Almost always a perfect batch! I recently have been hearing a lot of great things ...

Lasting Scents 
I was wondering what's the best way to store and preserve the scents in cold process soap until it's time to be sold?

Answer:

The best thing you ...

Shrink wrapper for soap 
I am looking for a good shrink wrap for my soaps. I want something that give a bit of protection but allows the smell to come through - can anyone point ...

Recipe for Raspberry and almond soap please?? 
Hello,

My fiancé and I would like to make soap for favours at our wedding in May. We are new to soap making and have researched the cold process method....

Does Lard Smell Bad? 
I have only made one batch of soap so far and can't wait to have another go! But this time I wondered about making it with Lard because its so inexpensive ...

Sour smell of goats milk 
Hi!
I'm quite new at soap making. I made my very first batch two days ago :-) I used goats milk instead of water and now, when I touch the soap bars, I ...

Soap Painting 
I have been using Black Iron Oxide to paint on my soaps (i.e. tiger stripes on an orange tiger).

I find that, even after a day, the pigment wants ...

Do small home businesses actually have all their products lab tested? 
Hi,

I am starting a small business (nearly ready to open my site!) and the more that I learn the more I hear about the darn FDA!

I understand about ...

Natural Sunscreen 
First of all - your site is wonderful! I am new to the soap making world and am trying to start a small business. I have gotten such great advice from ...

goat milk soap recipe 
Hi Cathy

Thank you so much for all your information and advice. It is much appreciated. I hope you could help me. I am currently making goat milk soap ...

Separating (Cold Process Method) 
This is first soap attempt, used the following recipe

The five main ingredients are 900ml water, 295g caustic soda (make sure you buy pure sodium hydroxide ...

Colouring soaps naturally 
I want to colour my soaps naturally. what type of clays can i use and what amount must i add to my soap batch. e.g. if the soap batch is 2 pounds, how ...

EQUIPMENT FOR LOTION MAKING 
I am trying to find any information on equipment for making lotions and body butters using extruders and large floor model mixers like the ones that are ...

M&P Swirling 
I haven't been able to get really nice swirls with melt and pour soaps.

I've tried a few different methods but I find one of two things usually happen:...

Soap Swirling 
I'm not a newbie at making soap, however I don't know how to make the beautiful swirls in the soap. I've tried searching for a video but couldn't find ...

Question about fixatives 
Hi,

First off, AWESOME site you've got here!

My question is.. how much fixative do you use? say your total EO's are 20ml, how much of that should ...

how can remove the smell of shea butter or other dirty oils 
i have a small quantity of shea butter (around 10 kgm) they have a bad smell . how can i remove this smell before using them in soAP MAKING

Answer:...

Peanut Oil 
Hello, I am loving the site, one of the best I have found( admittedly I've only been making soap a few months) but one of my favorites. I got one of the ...

Salt Soap Bar  
Hi, I tried to do your Salt Soap Bar recipe. I've been making soap for a while now...no problems. But this recipe has me stumped. I made it exactly as ...

Some of your recipe links don't work 
Hi, I found your site at random and thinks its such a neat site. Very helpful!!! I am interested in trying some of your recipes. I am writing because I ...

Purchaseing EO 
Can you tell me the best place to buy good quality essential and natural oils to use in cold process soap making?

Answer:

Hi Rebecca,

I don'...

Since you said silly questions were okay.... 
If I'm using a pre-made Melt and Pour soap base and only adding in exfoliants, fragrances and colors, do I need to worry about the Lye factor?

Answer:...

Room Temperature method 
I am new to the soap making business and have experimented with the various methods. Needless to say that the room temperature method appeals to me. I ...

Soap Molds and Goat's Milk Soap 
Your soap mold formula says to "calculate the OIL" amounts. What about the other ingredients, such as lye, water, EO's, etc. The oils may total 48 oz,...

Percents in Lye 
Hello there :o)
I am a first time soaper and for the life of me I cannot figure out the lye calculators. It gives me different percents of lye to ...

" Room temperature method" 
I have recently made a batch of "room temp soap" I followed your instructions to a tee. seemed to turned out wonderful but found when I cut the soap the ...

Making B&B Quality Soap 
Is it more cost effective for me to make personalized soap for our new B&B in Mexico, or to buy it? I am very interested in making soap, but not sure ...

Sodium Hydroxide can be switched to Potassium? 
Hi again. This is my question #2 for you...
I'd like to make shampoo more than bar soap because I'm having a hard time finding good shampoo that also ...

dehydrated lemon peel additive 
Can I add dehydrated lemon(citrus) peel to my cold process soaps?

Will it raise the PH?

Will it turn brown or shorten the shelf life of the bar?...

How can I make soap base? 
It says I can use soap base to make soaps, it got glycerin to moisturize your skin. My understanding is that homemade soaps minus fragrance/color is base ...

Fruit Soap :) 
Hi,

I'm doing a science fair project about soap and the different fruits in it.
Is it alright if I just add fruit juice and fruit dices into the basic ...

adding soap curls, ribbons, etc. 
If I want to add curls, ribbons, etc. to my soap, should these items be cured before they are used?

Answer:

Dennise,

Fresh soap is better to ...

using Kokum butter 
Can I switch Kokum butter for Palm oil in any recipe? This is my first time making soap and I dont want to mess it up or waste the ingredients. Thanks,...

what is a conditioning emulsifyer 
one of your recipes calls for incroquat behenyl TMS-50. What can be used in its place in lotion recipes or where can I find this ingredient.

Answer:...

Stuck in pvc pipe mold 
I'm having trouble removing the soap from the 3" pvc mold. Any tricks to make the soap release?

Answer:
Try putting the mold in the freezer for a ...

Is warming the mold necessary? If so, why? 
Hi there,

Just wondering....in the tutorials for embedded soap curls and checkerboard soap you mention that the mold with the embedded objects should ...

Doggy Shampoo  Not rated yet
Hello I have been trying to look into making a bar of soap for dogs. Have you got any tips to share with us for this? I'm not sure about whether my ordinary ...

Fabric Softeners   Not rated yet
Do you have a recipe for both, liquid fabric softener and dryer sheets? I've been searching for 2 days for a recipe for this that is actually home made....

Soap still soft  Not rated yet
After the soap reaches a light trace, is it normal that it's soft?

I made soap, for the first time (a new comer) Is it normal for it to be soft. Will ...

Immediate trace..!!  Not rated yet
I am a soap newbie..
I tried making my first batch of your 'Basic Homemade Soap Recipe' with a tbsp of beeswax and without any of the mentioned optional ...

Foaming Butter  Not rated yet
I am wondering about your foaming butter recipe. You indicated using one pound of foaming butter but when I ordered the ingredient it had a warning "DO ...

Baking chocolate  Not rated yet
how much baking chocolate would you use for a batch of CP soap.

Thanks,
Letrah

Answer:

I have used up to one half ounce of baking chocolate ...

Batch numbers  Not rated yet
How do I make a batch number please for my handmade soaps.

I use melt and pour soap base and justasoap colourants.

Answer:

I'm not sure what ...

amount of fresh goat milk in soap making recipe  Not rated yet
Hi Cathy
I want to find out what is the highest percentage of fresh goat milk that can be use in a soap making recipe.

I am using the soap calc and ...

PERMISSION TO PRINT  Not rated yet
Your site is fantastic! I have just started soapmaking classes and will definitely pay it forward by adding your site to my links section on my website....

Glycerin bio-diesel by-product for soap.  Not rated yet
I have a friend who produces bio diesel and glycerin is a by-product of the process. After the ethanol evaporates off it has a lard consistancy and lathers ...

Liquid goat milk lotion  Not rated yet
Hi Cathy

I just want to find out if you perhaps know where I can find a book about making goat milk lotion or other lotions.

I have searched the ...

Lye Eats My Color!  Not rated yet
Cathy,

I have two questions. Hope you can help?
1. What can I use to color my CP soap that the lye won't affect the color? In a recent recipe, I ...

Soap recipe for baby soap and recipe for liquid goat milk soap  Not rated yet
Hi Cathy

Thanks for your advice on the palm oil. It is much appreciated. I just want to know if you have a very gentle recipe to make baby soap. I will ...

Colorant  Not rated yet
How does one achieve a white and hard soap?

Answer:

To make a soap white use the whitest oils you can...these include coconut oil, lard, tallow,...

Soap recipe  Not rated yet
What can be the best soap making recipe for palm oil and peanut oil combination?

Answer:

I'm afraid I haven't used peanut oil in a soap recipe ...

White specks  Not rated yet
Hello,

I recently made a batch of CP soap that has white spots on the top as well as air pockets on the top and within the soap. I would guess the air ...

Colour and Scents Choices  Not rated yet
I'm making my first batch of soap so it will be ready for Christmas prezzies. What would you suggest as basic popular scents and what colour would the ...

My soaps melt quickly  Not rated yet
Hi,
I make soap using the cold process method.

My soaps are very moisturizing, leave the skin smooth, but they melt too quickly (5-6 uses of a 120gr ...

POWDER LAUNDRY DETERGENT  Not rated yet
Hi!
I really enjoyed and appreciate your soap calculator. It helped me to create my own own bath soap recipe.
Now I want to learn how to make my own ...

stereatic acid   Not rated yet
can you tell when and how much quantity of this product(stereatic acid) is going to be added in the soap process. I have intention to add this product ...

Forgot to grease PVC piping - CP Soap  Not rated yet
Hello,

I forgot to line my PVC piping with oil today. Will my soap still come out of the mold? I know I can put it in the freezer but will it work....

Making wood molds.  Not rated yet
Hi what I'm looking for is a step by step for building a wood mold. I haven't been able to find one that is clear and decisive.

Could you help me? thank ...

Rebatched soap in prolonged gel phase  Not rated yet
Hi. I rebatched some soap about 4 days ago, but it still hasn't set, and appears to be in a thick gel stage.

I tried freezing it, but it just melted ...

100% Sodium Hydroxide  Not rated yet
Do I have to use 100% Sodium Hydroxide for the lye mixture. I found a product that contains 95 to 98% Sodium Hydroxide. Would this be ok to use?

Answer:...

Used equipment?  Not rated yet
Hi,

I'm new to soap making and was wondering if buying equipment used is fine for soap making. For example, stick blenders or a knife to cut the soap;...

Selling soap  Not rated yet
Do you have to have a license or tax number to sell soap? Do you need to list all ingredients and their amounts? Provide a disclaimer?

Answer:

Hi ...

Palm oil  Not rated yet
Hi Cathy
Hope you are well!! I need your advice on palm oil. I have noticed when using solid palm oil in my soap recipes that there appear to be very ...

Hot Process soap soggy after use?  Not rated yet
I have no problems cooking hot process soap it comes out just the way I want it, my problem is when I use it afterwards it looks and gets real soggy. Is ...

Sending soap through the mail  Not rated yet
I am new to soap making but would like to send some soaps out. How do you wrap it? How long should it cure before you can send it? Can it be too hot ...

Goats milk soap  Not rated yet
Can you use powdered milk replacer (non-medicated) or powdered colostrum, instead of powdered goats or just powdered milk?

Answer:

Sorry Jodi but ...

New to soap making  Not rated yet
Hi There!
I am thinking of making the room temp soap. Is it true that i can add goat's milk-same amount- to replace the water in any soap recipe?
thanks!...

Scenting soap  Not rated yet
The soap I make loses its scent almost immediately. What do you recommend mixing it with? Should I use essential oil or fragrance oil? Can you recommend ...

Dog With Sensitive Skin  Not rated yet
Hi, I am new to soap making...as in never made it. I looked into it because my dog has very sensitive skin, itches non-stop and her hair is falling out....

What can you say about the ratio of our soap here in the Phil.  Not rated yet
hi again, its me tj again and again. i was kinda wondering what can you say about our soap ingredients here in the philippines. i was taught in a tech....

Working with Jojoba beads  Not rated yet
I'm trying Jojoba beads in my M & P soaps, but they suspend to the top of the soap, bottom after they are released from the molds. What can I do to ...

Scales  Not rated yet
Just learning but want to get the right things so I don't have to get another kind later. Been looking at tinita ditital scales KD-200-570 cap. 11 lbs....

Can I use the room temperature method for making soap of liquid oils only?  Not rated yet
Hello

Thank you for your wonderful site.
I just started making cold process soaps and I only have one thermometer that I keep moving from lye to oils ...

Soap mold size  Not rated yet
I have found some great recipes except they are for 40 bars at 4.5oz and I have two molds that have space for 18.

Is it possible to divide the saponified ...

Palm Oil and Palm Oil Substitutes  Not rated yet
I am having a terrible time finding palm oil locally. Do you have any suggestions? What other fats or oils can I substitute?

Answer:

There are ...

Polishing Soap  Not rated yet
Some of my homemade soaps are very rough looking. I've noticed other peoples soaps are very smooth...and one company claims to hand polish their soap....

Soap boxes  Not rated yet
Love the little soap boxes on your site , was wondering if the maker would be kind enough to share how they are made?

They are unique and very beautiful,...

Soap Lables  Not rated yet
I so need a hand about soap lables....how to go about doing it?

Thanks,
Sharon

Answer:

Sharon...It can be quite confusing but if you take it ...

Red palm oil  Not rated yet
Is it possible to substitute red palm oil for palm oil? I am unsure if the red would dye the soap- or should I give it a try-trial and error??

Answer:...

Replacing water with milks/teas/coffee  Not rated yet
I was curious about mixing lye with a water substitute. Would one use part water and part milk/tea/coffee? Or could you use all milk/tea/coffee and no ...

Swirling   Not rated yet
How do I add swirling in my melt & pour soaps?

Thank you,
Josette Sparks

Answer:

Try this link on MP Swirling ...hopefully it will stear you ...

Build Your Own Website   Not rated yet
Hi Cathy,

I'm looking for a good program or company to go with that I can design a website with and I wanted to know what you went with. Do you know ...

Melt and Pour Additives  Not rated yet
I make mp soap but would like to use natural colours.

Could you please tell me if the following would be O.K to use in my soaps?

Tumeric
Rose hip ...

Working with Lye  Not rated yet
Hi...I am a new soapmaker. The last few times I worked with my lye, it jumps up out of the container when I open the lid. When I pour it out to measure,...

Working Out BBE Dates  Not rated yet
Hi Cathy

I was wondering how to work out my Best Before End Dates. I've tried to find the answer, and some sites say a CP bar of soap should be dated ...

Your base soap recipe....  Not rated yet
Hi Cathy, I was just looking at your basic soap recipe and see that you put confectioner's sugar in it. Can you tell me why? I've never heard of that ...

When to add shredded soap pieces  Not rated yet
Good morning,

Beautiful sight that has helped me, thank you.

I am wondering after I shred my fresh soap, do I need to let it cure before adding ...

To Much Coconut Milk Powder?  Not rated yet
Can you have to much coconut milk powder? I made a batch of soap using CMP and used more than I should have.

I used 8 oz when I only should have used ...

How to use micas?  Not rated yet
I was wondering how do you use micas in cp soap.

I heard you can mix with carrier oils but is the carrier oils that you have melted to use for that ...

Residue?  Not rated yet
I've been trying out various recipes for CP shampoo bars and though my hair looks great (most of the time!), there is always a grey residue left on my ...

How do I make whipped soap (that I can put in jars) from a Melt and Pour Base?  Not rated yet
Hello,

I was wondering if anyone has every made a whipped soap from a melt and pour base? I tried mixing it with my hand blender, and it does whip ...

Dum and Dirty in Alaska  Not rated yet
I have been wanting to make soap with real home-made lye, but it requires burning HARDWOOD. That's tough to find in Alaska. Why can't pine wood be used,...

Essential oils and color effect  Not rated yet
Am trying to keep my white bar of soap to stay white. Choosing E.O's blends has been difficult because am getting either yellow to off white bars. Can ...

Melt and pour with lye?  Not rated yet
I WANT TO START EXPERIMENTING WITH GLYCERINE MELT AND POUR SOAPMAKING.

QUESTION- DO I NEED LYE FOR THE GLYCERINE MIX AND MELT PROCESS?

QUESTION ...

What Is This From?  Not rated yet
I have been PLAGUED with this white stuff on my soap for the last year! I have attached a picture of the "white stuff" that is plaguing me.

For awhile,...

Oil specifics list  Not rated yet
I am looking for a book or printable list that has all the propeties of oils (i.e. SAP, specific gravity, iodine, fatty acids and INCI name and properties ...

Where do you go in to view all entries of soap blog?  Not rated yet
Where do i go in to view all entries of the soap blog since it came on board.

I looked and tried everywhere, but nothing seems to work.

I have realised ...

Fixative for Deodorant  Not rated yet
What I should use....essential oil or fragrance oil as a fixative in order to extend life.
best regards Alex

Answer:
Hi Alex,

A fixative ...

Foaming Bath Butter  Not rated yet
I am going to try the foaming bath butter base from New Directions Aromatics. I was wondering if powdered milk could be added without causing spoilage?...

Loofah Soap  Not rated yet
I have made a few batches of loofah soap and have found that most of the loofahs are just a bit too big to fit in the round PVC pipe I use.

Loofah ...

Goats Milk Soap  Not rated yet
I made a goats milk soap recipe using olive, palm, grapeseed, sweet almond and castor oils.

The soap feels great and is very conditioning when you wash ...

Soap Packaging   Not rated yet
I wanted to first compliment your soap packaging they are breath taking ideas...and I wanted to ask how did you make the flower embellish soap wraps?

Answer:...

Cure Soap  Not rated yet
Why does it take so long to cure soap?

Answer:

Hi Grace,

The cure time for cold process soap making is usually around 4 - 6 weeks. This is because ...

Colouring Soap  Not rated yet

I just want to find out the following about colouring soap:

1. At which stage do you add the colour, e.g. infuse in oil or add at trace.

2. Has ...

Preservatives  Not rated yet
I am looking for a preservative for use in solid lotion bars. I currently use Vitamin E in my soaps and lip balms and lotion bars but it doesn't seem ...

Very Fast Soap Trace  Not rated yet
I made a small test batch of soap that firmed up very fast, even before adding the EO blend and about 20 seconds after adding the Coconut Milk and Lye ...

Giving your soap a whipped top  Not rated yet
Hi Cathy,

I have been making soap for a while now but can't seem to get the whipped topping look to my soaps. I've used a plastic bag filled with soap ...

White soap bars  Not rated yet
Am trying to get my bars of soap to come out white. I don't know if using titanium dioxide would work or maybe using either goat's milk,coconut milk pretty ...

Olive oil  Not rated yet
I am a new soap maker. I have made two batches of soap and I don't really like the way they look. They have a brown discolor to them. Is this because ...

Colorants  Not rated yet
Hello, I am just starting to make cold processed soap (room temp my favorite too). I am wondering how you get your soaps such awesome colors. I am experimenting ...

Camellia Oil  Not rated yet
Hello,
I love your website. Your recipes sound great! I want to try the Camellia Oil Coconut Milk Soap, but I am having a hard time finding Camellia ...

different lye calculators give indicate differant amount of fluids  Not rated yet
Hi Cathy

Thanks very much for helping me with structuring my recipes. I have already made the soap and I am waiting for it to cure and to test.

I ...

I got mold growing on top of my soap!  Not rated yet
Hi There,
I just made a batch of soap with ground calendula petals inside the bars and whole calendula petals sprinkled on top. Well, it has been ...

Trying to locate bulk Camellia oil  Not rated yet
Cathy,
I've been mostly everywhere I can think of on the web to find bulk camellia oil. I've found Camelina oil..but looking for Camellia. Do you have ...

Switching Oils in a recipe  Not rated yet
Hello I'm wanting to make my FIRST EVER BATCH of soap and I'm sooo excited! Your website has really inspired me!

I've read so much without actually ...

E.O. Percentages  Not rated yet
Cathy,
I recently noted in one of your answers that you made soap using 20% Patchouli, 10% Cinnamon, 20% Rosewood, and 50% orange to make a scent blend....

How to get Blue  Not rated yet
I have been asked to make soap favors for my nieces wedding, would love if you would share with me how to get the blue you achieved in the Eucalyptus Tea ...

Soap for Teeth...?  Not rated yet
Hello,

I hope it's okay to post this question here, as it isn't a question relating to soap making.

I recently came across some American businesses ...

Dry skin vs Oily skin recipes  Not rated yet
I see lots of bar soap recipes on the Internet, but I haven't found recipes that are designed specifically for dry skin, normal skin and oily skin. My ...

Making whipped cream soap  Not rated yet
Are there any other substitutes for Shea Butter and Castor oil in the whipped cream soap recipe? Shea Butter and castor oil is rather hard to find, and ...

Aluminum near mold  Not rated yet
Hi, I love your site, and I was wondering if you can help me with a concern?

I recently did a studpid thing with my cold-process soap, and I was wondering ...

Vanilla Infusion  Not rated yet
I want to use Vanilla in one of my soaps, but don't want to use fragrance
oils. How do I make a vanilla infusion?

Answer:

Hi Susan,

Using ...

Problem with Cocoa Butter  Not rated yet

Hi Cathy,

I am wondering if you can help me. I have been making soap for a few years and only now have I created a recipe that I Love! Needless ...

decorating hot process soap  Not rated yet
Is it possible to get that whipped cream look on top of a hot process loaf like they do on cold processed soap, and HOW? Can you mix the hot process method ...

how to make baby soap  Not rated yet
I would like to make a gentle soap for my son (he is almost 2) that is similar to the burt's baby bee buttermilk soap. Bar form would be best - he has ...

What is the difference between the regular Optiphen and the Optiphen Plus you suggest?  Not rated yet
I'm wanting to try my luck at lotions and whips. I saw your recipe and wanted to know if you could tell me the difference and why Optiphen Plus is best....

using vanilla or almond extract in soap, lotion or lip balm. does it work?  Not rated yet
That pretty much sums it up, have you used Almond or Vanilla extract...the type you buy at the grocery store and have you had any success with either of ...

Teaching  Not rated yet
I've been asked to teach a M & P class (my first one). There will be 10-12 adult students. I plan to factor into the class fee the cost of supplies, but ...

Where do you get your mica colors from?  Not rated yet
Hello,

First I would like to thank you for putting up the recipe for your seagrass soap I was eager to try! I can't wait to make it! It sounds lovely....

Soap is too greasy  Not rated yet
Tried a new receipt using my home rendered beef tallow and canola oil. Calculated the weights with a chart. But my scale is not digital. My small batch ...

Powdered Sugar in Soap Recipe  Not rated yet
I've seen recipes with like 1 t. powdered sugar in it. What is the purpose of using the powdered sugar?

Answer:

Generally sugar is used to increase ...

How to use Titanium Dioxide  Not rated yet
When I use olive oil in my soap recipe, my soap ends up tan in color. This happens even when I use colorants. I haven't used Titanium Dioxide (TD) yet,...

Question About Beer Soap  Not rated yet
Hello:

I recently made a beer soap using your recipe. The soap came out beautifully - the color and texture, so far, is perfect.

The soap is about ...

Using fresh herbs or flowers in soaps  Not rated yet
I have the most lovely roses as well as fresh herbs and such in my garden. How can I take advantage of these things rather than buy essential oils? or ...

What oil can be safely substituted for olive oil in a soap recipe  Not rated yet
If a recipe calls for olive oil and I need to substitute which oil would we use.

Answer:

Many oils can easily be substituted for Olive Oil in a ...

Coloring  Not rated yet
I'm having a little trouble getting my colors to look the way they want. Sometimes it seems like my soap is totally eating the colors I put in -- it turns ...