1
00:00:00,080 --> 00:00:03,519
Welcome to Soapmaking one oh one with the Soap
Queen!
2
00:00:03,519 --> 00:00:05,839
I'm Anne-Marie, your host for today.
3
00:00:06,080 --> 00:00:10,639
In this episode, we're diving into the
unpredictable and sometimes frustrating world
4
00:00:10,639 --> 00:00:16,724
of soapmaking, specifically focusing on "Soap
Behaving Badly." If you've ever had a batch of
5
00:00:16,724 --> 00:00:19,844
soap that did not turn out quite right, you're
not alone.
6
00:00:19,844 --> 00:00:25,285
Soapmaking is a craft that requires practice,
patience, and sometimes a little bit of luck.
7
00:00:25,820 --> 00:00:29,820
Let's explore some of the common issues that
can arise and how to handle them.
8
00:00:32,859 --> 00:00:37,259
I've been making soap since I was twelve years
old, and one thing I've learned is that not
9
00:00:37,259 --> 00:00:39,500
everything turns out perfectly the first time.
10
00:00:40,054 --> 00:00:44,615
It is just an inherent, and yes, disappointing
part of soapmaking.
11
00:00:44,615 --> 00:00:47,094
But remember, practice makes perfect.
12
00:00:47,414 --> 00:00:51,734
Being persistent in mastering your technique
will help you achieve consistent results.
13
00:00:52,230 --> 00:00:57,429
There are hundreds of variables in soapmaking
that can cause problems, but one major factor
14
00:00:57,429 --> 00:01:00,390
is the fragrance or essential oil you use.
15
00:01:00,630 --> 00:01:05,430
At Bramble Berry, we test all our fragrance and
essential oils thoroughly to ensure they
16
00:01:05,430 --> 00:01:07,510
perform well in cold process soap.
17
00:01:08,915 --> 00:01:11,875
Let's start with Exhibit A: Acceleration.
18
00:01:12,194 --> 00:01:16,834
This occurs when a fragrance oil brings the
batter to trace extremely quickly, sometimes
19
00:01:16,834 --> 00:01:18,355
too quickly to work with.
20
00:01:18,674 --> 00:01:23,370
In one instance, the fragrance oil thickened
the batter to the consistency of pudding almost
21
00:01:23,370 --> 00:01:25,129
immediately after being mixed.
22
00:01:25,450 --> 00:01:27,769
Despite this, we managed to get it into the
mold.
23
00:01:27,930 --> 00:01:32,170
If you encounter a fragrance that accelerates,
just get your batch into the mold as quickly as
24
00:01:32,170 --> 00:01:32,810
possible.
25
00:01:33,129 --> 00:01:37,314
Be prepared for it to heat up quickly, as
there's often a correlation between
26
00:01:37,314 --> 00:01:40,435
acceleration and excessive heat in your soap
batch.
27
00:01:41,635 --> 00:01:45,795
Now, Exhibit B: Ricing and intense
discoloration.
28
00:01:46,114 --> 00:01:51,875
Ricing happens when an ingredient in the
fragrance oil binds with some of the harder oil
29
00:01:51,209 --> 00:01:54,810
components in the recipe, forming little
rice-shaped lumps.
30
00:01:55,209 --> 00:02:00,409
Often, you can stick blend these out, but this
may lead to a thicker trace than expected.
31
00:02:00,729 --> 00:02:05,444
This batch also showed discoloration due to
vanilla content in the fragrance oil, turning
32
00:02:05,444 --> 00:02:09,525
from a nice creamy white to a chocolate-y brown
after hardening.
33
00:02:10,724 --> 00:02:15,205
Exhibit C is a prime example of separation,
ricing, and seizing.
34
00:02:15,205 --> 00:02:17,764
This was the most misbehaved fragrance we
tested.
35
00:02:18,620 --> 00:02:24,060
Separation occurs when the fragrance oil cannot
mix with the soap batter, leading to oil slicks
36
00:02:24,060 --> 00:02:25,260
pooling on top.
37
00:02:25,659 --> 00:02:29,979
After stick blending, the batter started to
seize, looking like gritty Play-Doh.
38
00:02:29,979 --> 00:02:34,555
To salvage such a batch, consider rebatching
or, if it's lye heavy, turning it into laundry
39
00:02:34,555 --> 00:02:35,355
detergent.
40
00:02:35,435 --> 00:02:39,514
If the soap is soft and fresh, Hot Process Hero
can help you save it.
41
00:02:40,474 --> 00:02:43,435
Let's talk about some bonus bad soap behavior.
42
00:02:43,594 --> 00:02:46,394
Have you ever encountered Alien Brain or a Soap
Volcano?
43
00:02:46,669 --> 00:02:51,550
Alien Brain happens when the soap overheats,
which is purely cosmetic and can be steamed
44
00:02:51,550 --> 00:02:52,030
out.
45
00:02:52,269 --> 00:02:57,310
A Soap Volcano, on the other hand, is caused by
natural sugars or alcohol superheating the
46
00:02:57,310 --> 00:02:59,389
soap, causing it to overflow like lava.
47
00:02:59,915 --> 00:03:05,115
With gloves on, you can scoop the soap back in
or use Hot Process Hero when it's cooled.
48
00:03:06,155 --> 00:03:11,275
To ensure good soapy behavior, soap at lower
temperatures, around one hundred and twenty
49
00:03:11,275 --> 00:03:12,314
degrees Fahrenheit.
50
00:03:12,314 --> 00:03:17,360
Double-check your recipe with a lye calculator
and use the recommended amount of water.
51
00:03:17,599 --> 00:03:21,759
Mix your fragrance oil with an equal amount of
liquid oil and heat it slightly before adding
52
00:03:21,759 --> 00:03:22,719
it to the batter.
53
00:03:22,959 --> 00:03:27,775
Whisk in fragrances and colorants after the
batter reaches trace, and remember, even the
54
00:03:27,775 --> 00:03:30,895
best recipes will thicken up if you stick blend
them too much.
55
00:03:32,094 --> 00:03:36,175
Thank you for tuning in to Soapmaking one oh
one with the Soap Queen.
56
00:03:36,254 --> 00:03:41,010
If you liked this episode and want to learn
more about how to make soap, BrambleBerry.com
57
00:03:41,010 --> 00:03:45,730
has hundreds of free articles and recipes along
with all the supplies you need to make handmade
58
00:03:45,730 --> 00:03:48,290
soaps, lotions, candles, and more.
59
00:03:48,370 --> 00:03:49,250
Thanks for listening!
60
00:03:49,250 --> 00:03:50,290
And, happy soaping!
00:00:00,080 --> 00:00:03,519
Welcome to Soapmaking one oh one with the Soap
Queen!
2
00:00:03,519 --> 00:00:05,839
I'm Anne-Marie, your host for today.
3
00:00:06,080 --> 00:00:10,639
In this episode, we're diving into the
unpredictable and sometimes frustrating world
4
00:00:10,639 --> 00:00:16,724
of soapmaking, specifically focusing on "Soap
Behaving Badly." If you've ever had a batch of
5
00:00:16,724 --> 00:00:19,844
soap that did not turn out quite right, you're
not alone.
6
00:00:19,844 --> 00:00:25,285
Soapmaking is a craft that requires practice,
patience, and sometimes a little bit of luck.
7
00:00:25,820 --> 00:00:29,820
Let's explore some of the common issues that
can arise and how to handle them.
8
00:00:32,859 --> 00:00:37,259
I've been making soap since I was twelve years
old, and one thing I've learned is that not
9
00:00:37,259 --> 00:00:39,500
everything turns out perfectly the first time.
10
00:00:40,054 --> 00:00:44,615
It is just an inherent, and yes, disappointing
part of soapmaking.
11
00:00:44,615 --> 00:00:47,094
But remember, practice makes perfect.
12
00:00:47,414 --> 00:00:51,734
Being persistent in mastering your technique
will help you achieve consistent results.
13
00:00:52,230 --> 00:00:57,429
There are hundreds of variables in soapmaking
that can cause problems, but one major factor
14
00:00:57,429 --> 00:01:00,390
is the fragrance or essential oil you use.
15
00:01:00,630 --> 00:01:05,430
At Bramble Berry, we test all our fragrance and
essential oils thoroughly to ensure they
16
00:01:05,430 --> 00:01:07,510
perform well in cold process soap.
17
00:01:08,915 --> 00:01:11,875
Let's start with Exhibit A: Acceleration.
18
00:01:12,194 --> 00:01:16,834
This occurs when a fragrance oil brings the
batter to trace extremely quickly, sometimes
19
00:01:16,834 --> 00:01:18,355
too quickly to work with.
20
00:01:18,674 --> 00:01:23,370
In one instance, the fragrance oil thickened
the batter to the consistency of pudding almost
21
00:01:23,370 --> 00:01:25,129
immediately after being mixed.
22
00:01:25,450 --> 00:01:27,769
Despite this, we managed to get it into the
mold.
23
00:01:27,930 --> 00:01:32,170
If you encounter a fragrance that accelerates,
just get your batch into the mold as quickly as
24
00:01:32,170 --> 00:01:32,810
possible.
25
00:01:33,129 --> 00:01:37,314
Be prepared for it to heat up quickly, as
there's often a correlation between
26
00:01:37,314 --> 00:01:40,435
acceleration and excessive heat in your soap
batch.
27
00:01:41,635 --> 00:01:45,795
Now, Exhibit B: Ricing and intense
discoloration.
28
00:01:46,114 --> 00:01:51,875
Ricing happens when an ingredient in the
fragrance oil binds with some of the harder oil
29
00:01:51,209 --> 00:01:54,810
components in the recipe, forming little
rice-shaped lumps.
30
00:01:55,209 --> 00:02:00,409
Often, you can stick blend these out, but this
may lead to a thicker trace than expected.
31
00:02:00,729 --> 00:02:05,444
This batch also showed discoloration due to
vanilla content in the fragrance oil, turning
32
00:02:05,444 --> 00:02:09,525
from a nice creamy white to a chocolate-y brown
after hardening.
33
00:02:10,724 --> 00:02:15,205
Exhibit C is a prime example of separation,
ricing, and seizing.
34
00:02:15,205 --> 00:02:17,764
This was the most misbehaved fragrance we
tested.
35
00:02:18,620 --> 00:02:24,060
Separation occurs when the fragrance oil cannot
mix with the soap batter, leading to oil slicks
36
00:02:24,060 --> 00:02:25,260
pooling on top.
37
00:02:25,659 --> 00:02:29,979
After stick blending, the batter started to
seize, looking like gritty Play-Doh.
38
00:02:29,979 --> 00:02:34,555
To salvage such a batch, consider rebatching
or, if it's lye heavy, turning it into laundry
39
00:02:34,555 --> 00:02:35,355
detergent.
40
00:02:35,435 --> 00:02:39,514
If the soap is soft and fresh, Hot Process Hero
can help you save it.
41
00:02:40,474 --> 00:02:43,435
Let's talk about some bonus bad soap behavior.
42
00:02:43,594 --> 00:02:46,394
Have you ever encountered Alien Brain or a Soap
Volcano?
43
00:02:46,669 --> 00:02:51,550
Alien Brain happens when the soap overheats,
which is purely cosmetic and can be steamed
44
00:02:51,550 --> 00:02:52,030
out.
45
00:02:52,269 --> 00:02:57,310
A Soap Volcano, on the other hand, is caused by
natural sugars or alcohol superheating the
46
00:02:57,310 --> 00:02:59,389
soap, causing it to overflow like lava.
47
00:02:59,915 --> 00:03:05,115
With gloves on, you can scoop the soap back in
or use Hot Process Hero when it's cooled.
48
00:03:06,155 --> 00:03:11,275
To ensure good soapy behavior, soap at lower
temperatures, around one hundred and twenty
49
00:03:11,275 --> 00:03:12,314
degrees Fahrenheit.
50
00:03:12,314 --> 00:03:17,360
Double-check your recipe with a lye calculator
and use the recommended amount of water.
51
00:03:17,599 --> 00:03:21,759
Mix your fragrance oil with an equal amount of
liquid oil and heat it slightly before adding
52
00:03:21,759 --> 00:03:22,719
it to the batter.
53
00:03:22,959 --> 00:03:27,775
Whisk in fragrances and colorants after the
batter reaches trace, and remember, even the
54
00:03:27,775 --> 00:03:30,895
best recipes will thicken up if you stick blend
them too much.
55
00:03:32,094 --> 00:03:36,175
Thank you for tuning in to Soapmaking one oh
one with the Soap Queen.
56
00:03:36,254 --> 00:03:41,010
If you liked this episode and want to learn
more about how to make soap, BrambleBerry.com
57
00:03:41,010 --> 00:03:45,730
has hundreds of free articles and recipes along
with all the supplies you need to make handmade
58
00:03:45,730 --> 00:03:48,290
soaps, lotions, candles, and more.
59
00:03:48,370 --> 00:03:49,250
Thanks for listening!
60
00:03:49,250 --> 00:03:50,290
And, happy soaping!
