I’ve gotten a few responses from my questions on last week’s challenge. Today, I’ll answer a few of these questions from different readers with help from Technical Support.
From jaspersgarden) My absolute favorite thing to make is soap ~ CP and/or hot process with a crock pot! This past Fall, I lost my confidence. I made the mistake of using someone elses fragrance oils that were not compatible with soap making, even though they claimed they were CP safe… I’m talking about 6 – 4# batches…One batch was sooo bad – it ate my wooden mold – how bad is THAT? LOL! (these were NOT FO’s from MMS)
Oh no! These things help all of us. This is the perfect example of why to make a test batch. Test batches get such a bad rap for being a waste of ingredients, but they can sure help us from making bigger messes. I’m thinking, what if we do a week of Hot Process Soap? Let’s turn this into an all guest written week and YOU can show me how you make your hot process soap. I have some gift certificates for those who want to write.
Let’s do the Hot Process week of May 25th through 29th. If I don’t get any photos, then that week will be quiet on the blog! So help me out.
In the mean time, keep on soaping!
From jaspersgarden) The other thing I struggle with is labeling. With the new FDA labeling laws – it’s hard to know if I’m in compliance or not. I try really hard to not make statements – because then you’re going into “is it a drug, or is it still a cosmetic?” But how do you let customers know the properties of different oils, butters, EO’s, etc. without making claims?
This is something we all need to consider. The best advice I ever got came from the DOT (Department of Transportation) and was regarding Hazardous Materials shipping. The advice was this:
“Never stop learning. Keep a book of all advice you are given. If the advice is wrong, and it comes from a government agency, we will just retrain you. But it is up to YOU to prove that you are attempting to be in compliance in all aspects of your business.”
So, I want to pass this advice on to you, our blog reader. I have called the FDA on many occasions. They were polite and took the time to explain. I kept a log book of our calls and I learned quickly to have my questions written in advance AND wait for a complete answer before formulation my next question.
It is good to know the FDA considers the word balm to be OTC. But the use across the country doesn’t imply a protecting product. The word is used interchangeably with the word gloss. While this may be an inappropriate use on the part of the consumer, it is a valid concern for the cosmetic maker. Do you follow the opinion of the FDA service provider or do you follow the typical consumer. As long as the law does not define the word, the we see that you should consider both the consumer and the FDA views then make up your own mind. Certainly your legal counsel may have another view.
Don’t be afraid to call the FDA. They are helpful and certainly can advise you. Just don’t forget your log book before you call.
Submit your photos and text for the guest written Hot Process Soap Week! Submissions will be accepted through May 18th at blog@thesage.com. Hot Process Soap Week will be May 25th through May 29th.
Oh Andee!!
I would LOVE to be a guest writer for the Hot Process Soap blog ;o)
What do you need? Recipe, equipment needed, step by step, times?
I alread have the pics too (2 different batches) and thanks to my digital camera – they show what time it was at each stage – cool beans!!
I’ll need a few days to organize my pics, get out my recipe (I save ALL of my recipes – complete with my little notes)
Where should I send the pics and verbiage? Via email? Just let me know Andee!!
OK – on to the “test batches” answer you so graciously gave – LOL! The reason I don’t do test batches is not b/c it’s a waste of ingredients. No no no, it’s b/c of the clean-up ~ I HATE doing dishes!! I don’t have a sink in my soap shop, so everything has to be carted into the house to be washed…such a pain! So when I make soap, it takes the same amount of equipment/dishes to make a 1 # batch as it does a 4 or 5 # batch. But with a 5 # batch, I get more bars of soap, hence it’s worth carting all my dirty dishes into the house to wash them!!! That’s my excuse – and I’m stickin’ to it!!
But on the serious side, I have heard/read that it’s more dangerous to work with a small batch as it is to work with a larger one – I’m talking about the small amount of lye needed for a test batch. I heard/read this way back in the day, and unfortunately – it stuck in my head….I have made one test batch in 10 years and I was sooo nervous!! I was dropping things, second guessing myself, etc. It was a nightmare – ALL b/c someone put that in my head. It’s funny what sticks in your head, then trying to change your ways later.
Thank you for the opportunity Andee! I’m very excited!
Kathy
jaspersgarden-
This is great. All of these things are fine. Send the pics and verbage to me at blog@thesage.com.
The test batch for HOT process will be hard if you use a Crock Pot. The heating band is up the side, not on the bottom. But try a mold that has a plastic bag lining the mold. Then there are no dishes!
I don’t see the problem with a small vs. large batch of soap. Both sizes require the same amount of knowledge and respect to handle the batch. I think this came from somebody thinking that since they were working with a small batch, they didn’t have to take the same precautions that are needed with a large batch.
We want all the pics that are on this topic!