Soap Making

[StillHappy]

I’ve had my first try today of making soap. I’ve started with a mixture of coconut and olive oils, but messed up straight away by realism that I’d left the verbena scent somewhere else, so had to make do with a too-small amount of Body Shop Sandalwood essential oil, so don’t hold out much hope for it smelling nice.

I could do with any tips that people have. I’d like to make some clear soaps, what ingredients are best for this?

Secondly, which type of scent do I need to buy? Is it oil-based, or alcohol-based, or just anything at all? Will vanilla extract from the kitchen do the job?

Finally, what do I do differently to vary between mild and harsher soaps? I’d like something gentle for hand soaps, but something a bit more industrial-strength for my husband to use in the shower after the gym.

Hello @StillHappy
how’s the soap making going?
I’m about to start soap making in the next week or so. I can’t offer any advice at the moment but happy to chat and discuss ideas if you like? 😁

I'm not an expert at all soaps but I've made plenty of cold pressed in my time.

To get clear soap I would presume you'd need to do a glycerin based recipie which I understand is a melt and pour type method.

For fragrances in cold pressed soaps you usually need strong concentration. I've tried Essential oils in the past and I can never smell it once made even adding a whole 10ml bottle not just a few drops. You can buy alcohol based fragrances specifically for soap making online. I've bought from ebay before. Note of warning, adding fragrances will accerate the trace so work quickly when you add it to your oil and lye mixtures.