How to Make Soap - Water Discount

[@TheHappySoapGroup]

If anyone has questions about water discount, or just questions in general, please join in our soap group, The Happy Soap Group, on Facebook! I’m also available via pm if you get stuck! Goodluck! Hope this helps!

[@MsJcmJcm]

The Happy Soap Group Great thank you:)

[@iwannaapple7190]

I would like to add one thing though. The more that you do a 1:1 ratio the more you realize that it is not the lower water that quickens the trace, you will come to the realization that it is the percentage of hard oils that matter more. An example would be one simple test. Bring extra virgin olive oil to trace (not pomace). Note how long it takes. Next time, add 15% coconut then see how long it takes? That one simple step will make you realize it is not the 50/50 water after all but more the percentage oils. I would also like to add that if your interested in buying soap, then buy from this woman. By her using a 50/50 ratio she is actually putting more soap in her bars and they actually last longer. Water does not turn into soap. Only oils turn into soap. To make soap the more water in a loaf the less oil there is to make soap. She is maximizing her bars. She makes soap like me so she must be good! I would think that this soap is still good whether she is satisfied with it or not. Its just very important to lessen hard oils when doing this in my opinion.

[@josietemi]

Oh I need loads of helps with water discounting. I've been soaping for over a year now and I still don't understand the premise of the whole thing. Even happy to pay someone to learn what it's all about. I'll be joining the group :-) Thank you so much!

[@barbra429]

I don't use Facebook is that the only way to get your information?

[@susanorban3059]

Thanks for this video. I finally now understand what water discount is about and how quick emulsion can occur. You've helped me alot! I tend to over SB because I just never knew how not too. Thanks so much!❤❤❤

[@trishatrout4380]

I'm a big fan of water discounting too. Have been doing it for many years.

[@TheHappySoapGroup]

Trisha Trout it’s so hard to use full water after you’ve tried a discount!

[@rachelkronberg2328]

Loved this Ami! So nice to put a voice to the face and all the help you've been giving me!

[@TheHappySoapGroup]

Rachel Kronberg thanks girl!

[@iwannaapple7190]

HAPPY SOAP GROUP! I am so happy to hear your first 3 statements! I have been saying the same thing and preached the same EXACT thing (including Auntie Clara) using the exact same words on SMF. (And I mean that) They were so rude to me and were knowitall's and they actually banned me from their site because I said the exact same things!!!!!! That and the fact I got tired of being threatened and I made a "naughty or nice list" during Christmas time. I had no idea that people actually did not like being on the naughty list. They liked being on the nice list though. To this day, you can find reference about me but you will not find me (iwannaapple or either iwannasoap) in fact even today when I sign on I get a dialogue box saying "It's iwannaapple being sneaky again!". You are a beautiful person and this is going on my faves!! THANK YOU!

[@cutflower36]

Looks pretty, gonna try water discount next time I make some

[@TheHappySoapGroup]

Thanks for watching, and I hope you found this first video informative and helpful! Please feel free to leave any requests for technique videos or basic soaping/bath product information videos, and I’ll get to them as soon as I can! Edit: There is a mistake in the recipe I listed...it’s missing 5%...it should be 20% coconut oil, or if anyone finds that too cleansing then an extra 5% should be added to the olive oil. Sorry!

[@jotsntittles5783]

FYI You "can" edit your description of your video to reflect it - noticing the old info is still out by 5%

[@imari2305]

Love the two tone colors of your soap just beautiful!!

[@Sandra-il5hh]

Thank you for sharing. Really appreciate the tips. BTW the end result came out pretty nice.

[@buttermilkbaysoap9416]

Thanks Ami... excellent video! It's hard to video tape and teach....also Love your husbands name; so manly sounding. Bias to those single syllable men's names;)

[@TheHappySoapGroup]

Buttermilk Bay Soap You’re welcome! I’ll let Lars know you like his name; it’s a family name!

[@rebeccamorris7671]

I love the Cheese slicer. I just bought one for myself .

[@mariagilbertson459]

Thank you! So helpful and informative!!

[@mariangies]

Can you please explain to me what you mean to do in steps with water ratio? I'm not understanding what to do.

[@tube4waldek]

Maria sewcraftyaddicted She meant to: first make recipes with more water and get familiar with that ratio. Then lower the amount of water in your next recipes as you get more experienced.

[@brigidlaffey7343]

A roaring success! Nothing wrong with your cutter either...don’t need anything fancy...even though they look great ;);)

[@TheHappySoapGroup]

Brigid Laffey thank you! I agree, I think I’ll keep my cheap but effective cheese cutter until it gives up on me, then I’ll spring for a Bud Cutter!

[@DK-qj7cr]

TFS does this lye discount work for hot process also? Or is there a different process? Thanks in advance for your response.

[@pamelabh3621]

Hi there! Loved the video - and where did you buy your soap mold? I love it and want one!

[@jotsntittles5783]

Your white issue may have been due to all the water from the TD mix (noticed you squirted quite a bit into that portion) Would mixing TD with a bit of water to paste then filling with a nice carrier oil make a big difference? (Or even work)?

[@tellmestraight]

Can you save money making your own? If so, how much compared to other soaps and castile soaps?

[@rebeccamorris7671]

I made a batch and did almost the same thing !! My recipe hardens quickly and I used the white on top with a spoon swirl and it took several days for the white to set up.

[@TheHappySoapGroup]

Rebecca Morris this could be to the extra water/oil content in your TD mixture. Try mixing the TD in a very concentrated blend. I use equal amount, by weight, of hot water and TD. I don’t personally recommend the type that disperses in oil. Hope this helps!

[@bperry415]

I have a cutter also one also and what the star of a cutter is the wider May be on cheese cutter or a bud cutter I love mines .

[@mapleflagg7744]

I alway thought the oils and lye water had to be about the same temp. You say you use your lye right out of the fridge, so have I been overly concerned about same temps for nothing?

[@amijohnson8987]

Sorry, I had a lot going on with my family so I just now saw this...yes, your lye solution and oils so not need to be the same temp! The warmer both are the faster trace will happen. I have it down to a 1:1 water/lye ratio, with both oil’s and solution room temperature, and not only do I have time to create the designs I want my soap is ready to but and un old in about 6 hours. Fully cured in about 2 weeks. Let me know if there’s other questions!

[@MsJcmJcm]

I really enjoyed this video, your voice so soothing and great explanations. I missed the Lye amount, SF?

[@TheHappySoapGroup]

MsJcmJcm I believe the lye amount was around 7.47oz, but you’d want to run any changes or things you’re unsure of through a calculator. Hope that helps!

[@TheHappySoapGroup]

MsJcmJcm oh, and the sf was at 7%.

[@pamelawalker8815]

I'm still a little confused on the water discount.

[@alicepr1970]

Thanks for the info. Will be trying soon!

[@melessaprice3869]

Thank you for the great video! Hope you do more tutorials!

[@mariacuevas3211]

Love the video!! Your soap came out fabulous!! Look forward to more tutorials!!💞

[@TheHappySoapGroup]

Melessa Price you’re so welcome! Thank you so much for watching! I’m getting better a5 the editing, and I have a bath bomb and a drop swirl technique video that are nearly ready!

[@TheHappySoapGroup]

Melessa Price I have tutorials coming out next week!

[@Monz03b]

How did you keep the soap from overheating since you used milk?

[@barbiescraft]

Thanks for this tip

[@mariebarnes416]

Thank you so much for your informative video.

[@TheHappySoapGroup]

Marie Barnes you’re very welcome! So glad it was informative!

[@amijohnson8987]

If anyone has questions about water discount, or just questions in general, please join in our soap group, The Happy Soap Group, on Facebook! I’m also available via pm if you get stuck! Goodcluck! Hope this helps!

[@pattyorourke8024]

Great video, do you discount your coconut milk from the water?

[@TheHappySoapGroup]

Tamara Oversby If you are using a full water discount, as I do, you can’t subtract anymore liquid from your lye solution. However, if you’re working with say a 1.5:1 ratio then you should definitely discount the amount of coconut milk (or any other liquid additive) from your water amount. Hope that helps!

[@iwannaapple7190]

I was booted off by SMF. While I was being booted I was in the process of writing about this very subject because I love this subject. So, I thought I would get back on here and explain further of water discounting if Happy Soap group doesn't mind? Here goes........ Excuse me for writing this but I woke up with my brain running 200 mph! I understand many of you make beautiful soaps already so what I say really doesn't matter. But understanding the quintessential small differences; experience can come quite quickly. I will talk about some of the factors that consist of making soap and I understand looking at it in a different way might make it difficult to see. Surface tension and some water absorption properties. Surface tension is the skin on the outside of water and has a chemical makeup that is not fully understood but it not only allows bugs to walk on water but it also allows water to absorb just about anything including the Titanic and is the basis of emulsion. Surface tension can also be thought of this way. The water that washes up on the shore of a beach wets the sand below it. It absorbed the sand. The sand did not absorb the water. If you were to pick up the sand in your hand and hold loosely in your fingers you will not lose any water. That is only because the individual particles of sand has not broken the surface tension of the water. The water has encapsulated the sand inside and has absorbed it. Pouring your beer, that your drinking on the beach, on the sand will only result in wasted beer because that sand in water is already at perfect absorption or emulsion. Their is no more room for anything else which results in stranded liquid. Evaporation will have to occur before loss of water is expected. Water will even absorb rock! Picking up a rock after a good rain may feel dry to your hand but if you were to heat that rock and weigh it; it would weigh less because the water that had encased the rock is now evaporated. Water absorbs just about anything including natural poisons found inside the earth and has to be treated for safe drinking so you would think that if you were to drink distilled water it would be safe? Not quite true. Water not only exchanges minerals with your body it will also take minerals from your body if distilled water is continuously drank. It actually will make you sick and allow for disease. Emulsion Emulsion involves liquid. A liquid! Emulsion is waters ability to absorb and it can be anything including solids and yes, even cement, sand, and rock. When an emulsion occurs to create an exothermic reaction with certain things it releases energy in the form of what we feel as heat and it always is from the center of an object. When that form of energy is inside a liquid it acts as a wave which is important to know for soaping. A pile of leaves when combined, or stirred, can and will create an exothermic reaction and cause a fire. We then use waters ability to absorb those combinations of gases to put the fire out. When it concerns emulsion, in the case of soaping, not everything may be encapsulated inside the surface tension of water. Those may be called loose strands of water or excess water. Excess water can be caused by, not blending enough, the waters absorption properties are already full and their is no more room, and even the soft oils ability to resist emulsification can be a factor. Harder oils emulsify quicker and create more energy because its molecules are not as freely moving. They stay in place and vibrate side to side which creates a hotter heat. You can also say, at this point, that adding less water restricts the molecules to movement and therefore you get a hotter heat with your soap batter. Less water = more heat, Higher water = less heat but longer lasting! Water not only cools but it also maintains heat as it is slowly evaporates. Since their is more water it takes longer to cool in the evaporation process. Evaporation is the act of cooling. Longer evaporation equals longer cooling times. Getting back to those loose strands of water - At this point in your soap batter, the thicker density of water that has absorption in it will push the thinner water to the outside and will always be on the outside even when you pour it. During the evaporation process, its hotter neighbor (the absorbed water) will transfer heat to its cooler neighbor (the standing water) and will actually evaporate quicker which can leave behind any residue that it had in it. That would be the soda ash that we see and is the result of too much water or water that was not blended or emulsified which is the same thing. So, yes, too much water can lead to soda ash! However, on the other side of the coin - gelling needs to be considered too. There are different rates of melting points in low water and higher water densities. Low water ratios have a higher melting point especially when harder butters are used and higher water has a lower melting point. In other words, the higher the heat, the quicker the saponification process, the quicker to un-mold. Gelling has nothing to do with quick un-molding. It has everything to do with the melting point and color phases. You may be able to un-mold quick by using additives for example but those two are not synonymous with each other. It is the extreme heat, gelled or not gelled, (or even extreme cold) that allows for quick un-molding. Adding this up equates too longer gelling can equal soda ash as a result of more water because of an increased chance of loose water. Less water decreases the chance for soda ash but increases higher heat and decreases the soap batters ability for a long lasting gel. Time! Exothermic reactions When energy is released in the form of heat it is called an exothermic reaction. Fire is an example of an exothermic reaction which has occurred from an emulsion of fuels. It also is in the form of oils mixing with lye/water. The freedom of molecules to move about produces a lower heat then the restriction of molecules with less water. And finally, how temperature change relates to "Partial gel" Since heat always starts from the center of an object it will produce a wave in liquid …Work in progress. Please feel free to add to this. I would like to hear it.

[@janeray1273]

Question: newbie here. The oils in the recipe only add up to 95% instead of 100%. Is that a typo or is there a reason for it? Can you explain please. Thanks!

[@TheHappySoapGroup]

Good catch Jana! It should be 20% coconut oil, but if some find that too cleansing then you can up the olive oil or leaf lard by 5%. Thanks for bring thins to my attention!

[@pabitradas7962]

Thanks for your tips.

[@deborahhemsworth9493]

Why was your Lye solution not clear???

[@AL-jt6hv]

Because it was disolved with goats milk.Refrigerated goat milk.

[@craftyladydi]

Say what?? lol

[@OlaloTaínoTarot]

Can you water discount in a hot process? I keep looking for videos but no luck thank you in advance

[@jenniferrunnels170]

Great video!

[@TheHappySoapGroup]

I mentioned this great blog in the video, but I forgot to list it in the links, so here it is: auntieclaras.com/2014/05/glycerine-rivers-secret-revealed/

[@buttermilkbaysoap9416]

Excellent video

[@TheHappySoapGroup]

Buttermilk Bay Soap thank you so much for watching! Stay tuned for a drop swirl and bath bomb technique demonstration!

[@gainedinthegarden3925]

We tend to be our own biggest critics❤

[@mapleflagg7744]

You seem to have played with your top too much. A slight texturizing with a chopstick might have looked better. The soap itself looks great.

[@carolineleiden]

I like soda ash. It looks " frosted".

[@brigidlaffey7343]

Are your iodine levels alright?

[@TheHappySoapGroup]

Brigid Laffey they are within normal range, but I’ve found that most lye calculators are not completely accurate regarding soap properties, except cleansing. I’ve made great bars that were not in range for iodine and not so great bars that were. My best advice is to use them as guidelines, but not absolutes. My iodine level for this recipe is 64.

[@brigidlaffey7343]

The Happy Soap Group 😌 Oh, I wasn’t referring to your Soaping ...I was concerned (hopefully without justification) about your own iodine levels...the health practitioner part of me on duty ;);)