Tips for New Soapmakers
Suzanne Buckles has been experimenting with soap recipes for six years. Her generous advice on Internet soapmaking message boards has helped innumerable soapmakers, novices and experts alike. Here are Buckles's five tips for new soapmakers.
Educate yourself first. Read soapmaking books and peruse soap-makingsites on the Net. Every conceivable question you have is likely already addressed in a book and on the Internet as gracious soapmakers have given of their experience and knowledge there.
Start with small batches when trying new recipes and untested fragrances to save yourself time, money, and supplies.
Write it down! Don't depend on your brain to remember everything. If you've taken the time to jot down your recipe and record everything from start to finish, you can easily duplicate a success, or possibly find the reason for a failure.
Keep it simple. Start with a basic recipe and forgo colorants and fragrance oils on your first few tries. Essential oils, for the most part, are easier to work with in soap than fragrance oils.
Always wear protective eye gear. Also, have everything ready prior to mixing your soap, as sometimes things progress quickly and you'll be scrambling for something you needed. If it's already on the counter, all the better.
Suzanne Buckles's Favorite 1-Pound Recipe
5 ounces water
1.9 ounces lye
4.5 ounces palm kernel oil
4.5 ounces coconut oil
4 ounces olive oil
0.5 ounce essential oil or fragrance oil
Put on all protective gear, including goggles, gloves, and long sleeves.
Place the water in a heatproof glass 4-cup measure. Sprinkle the lye slowly and carefully into the water. Stir until dissolved. Set the lye solution aside to cool.
Combine the palm kernel oil, coconut oil, and olive oil in a second heatproof glass 4-cup measure. Melt in microwave or over boiling water. (Do not overheat, as oils take longer to cool than the lye solution.) Set the oils aside to cool.
When both mixtures are at 110°F, pour the lye solution in a thin stream into the oils. Stir constantly until the mixture traces, about 10 to 20 minutes. If using an immersion blender, it will take about a minute. With an immersion blender, take care not to whip air into the mixture. Add the essential oil and blend thoroughly.
When the soap batter traces, pour it into the mold, taking care to scrape all the traced soap out of the cup.
Cover the mold with plastic wrap, then wrap the mold in a towel for warmth and let it sit for 2 days.
Wearing your goggles and gloves, try unmolding the soap by pulling out the sides and turning the mold upside down on a brown paper bag or paper towel on the work surface. Push on the bottom of the mold. If the soap does not release readily, place the mold in the freezer for 1 hour. Try again to remove it. It should release easily this time.
Using a stainless steel knife, cut the soap log into bars. Place them on a brown paper bag to dry. Turn them daily to be sure they dry evenly.
In 4 weeks, your soap will be mild and quite firm and ready to use.
Store soap in a ventilated container.
