Using the Calculator - Newbie

lisad

New member
Joined
Feb 29, 2020
Messages
2
Thank you so much for a wonderful resource!
I’m new to soap making and was considering starting 5.5 years ago, but was so overwhelmed. I’ve watched a few videos on how to use a soap calculator and just want to ask, if we get everything between the suggested ranges, would it be safe to say we’d have a workable and safe soap bar?
Obviously everyone will have a different need or want with their soaps, but if we stick to ensuring our recipe is between them, it should be fine?
is there anything else someone like me should know when starting please?
 

Yooper

Administrator
Staff member
Premium
Joined
Sep 7, 2019
Messages
811
Location
Upper Peninsula of Michigan/ Florida Gulf Coast
The numbers are a good way to see how hard/soft/long lasting a bar is. The superfat number ensures it’s safe, and not lye heavy. So generally, yes, the soap would be fine if the numbers are in line.

However, reading more about the properties of the various oils will be a better way to ensure that the soap is “good” for your use. For example, when you add coconut oil to your recipe in the calculator, you get an idea of it’s properties, but not that in general it can be very drying so you may not to use more than 20 or 30% in your recipe. Superfat is generally 5-7% to avoid rancidity later on, but some soaps can use more and others, like laundry soap, will use less.

It may take a while to learn all of the things like that, but if you at first follow a good recipe for a basic soap, you’ll learn what you like and what works best for you.
 

lisad

New member
Joined
Feb 29, 2020
Messages
2
The numbers are a good way to see how hard/soft/long lasting a bar is. The superfat number ensures it’s safe, and not lye heavy. So generally, yes, the soap would be fine if the numbers are in line.

However, reading more about the properties of the various oils will be a better way to ensure that the soap is “good” for your use. For example, when you add coconut oil to your recipe in the calculator, you get an idea of it’s properties, but not that in general it can be very drying so you may not to use more than 20 or 30% in your recipe. Superfat is generally 5-7% to avoid rancidity later on, but some soaps can use more and others, like laundry soap, will use less.

It may take a while to learn all of the things like that, but if you at first follow a good recipe for a basic soap, you’ll learn what you like and what works best for you.
Thank you so much for your help. That all makes sense. Have a wonderful day.
 
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