I made my first batch of CP soap last week and I think it turned out OK. I'll let ya know in a couple of weeks after it cures. It was actually easier than I thought, and more fun too! I've been lurking here and have gained a lot from reading everyone's experiences. Thank you all!

I did have one question - in the recipe I used, it called for distilled water. That's what I used, but I was wondering why all the recipes call for distilled? Can I use tap water? Will that screw up trace or cause the soap to sieze? I figure there has to be a reason for distilled, I'm just wondering what it is...

FWIW: My tap water is chlorinated and is a little on the hard side

Thanks!

Nancy

Nancy

I think your response was bang-on.

Distilled water is a good bet that nothing in the water will interfere with the soap making process; like bacteria, and less of a chance that something in the soap will bother someone else.

I use town tap water exclusively, but first I’ll make ice cubes with it.

I will measure out the ice cubes, put it into the Rubbermaid pitcher, then add all of the lye at once (I make 10 pounds at a time, for an idea of the amount of lye I am using), then stir till all crystals are gone and there is not any grit/lye bits on the bottom of the pitcher. Rarely (but sometimes) the lye does not entirely dissolve, and then I will wait and check; or pass the solution through a sieve while pouring the lye solution into my fats/oils.

Congrats Nancy on your first CP venture.

hth

Why the ice cubes?

Very interesting.

I use ice cubes so that I don’t have to wait for the lye solution to cool down. I used to filter when I first started this hobby(?) by boiling the town water first; then did without the boiling (we have very good water, but I don’t like the chlorine smell when I drink it)), now we have a new fridge and the filter is built-in (the ice is made by the fridge/freezer, of course!). I use a 30% water discount and use all ice, I usually don’t add water to make up the ice weight difference, so I maybe a bit over or a bit short.

I like to soap cool/body temp, for both the oils and the lye solution.
I will prepare the lye solution, then add my additives to either the lye solution or the oils, , while the lye solution is just sitting there cooling; at the same time my oils/fats have come out of the microwave (these are always premeasured) and I wait for body temp for the oils. I do not super heat these oils, so it doesn’t take long. Trace is in about 10 or so minutes.

hth

I think that it is a good bet that if your water is good enough to drink, then it is good enough to wash with.

Ask questions if you’re not sure about something, and if I can, I will help.

I am going on a little vacation for 2 weeks and will check back when I can.

Hawaii is calling.

hth

Nancy