The Soapy Blog | Soapy Friends

7 Tips to Control Trace in Cold Process Soap Making

Having issues with soap batter accelerating? Learn to Control Trace in Cold Process Soap with this guide to help you understand what goes into the soaps, and how to manipulate trace.

Adding Food to Soap -a Guide for Soapmakers

What’s up with adding food to soap? You know, this like fruits, veggies, teas, juices, and milks? Yes! Here’s the how, when, and why to add food to soap.

Controlling Soda Ash on Handmade Soap: Love it or Hate it (with 12 examples of soda ash on soap)

Worried about soda ash on handmade soap? Learn what causes soda ash, how to prevent and remove it, and even how to use it as a design element!

To Gel or Not to Gel? Cold Process Soap Making Explained

An overview of why on earth you want to (or don’t want to) gel your soaps , plus how to gel soap, and how to prevent the gel phase in cold process soap.

DOS Soap – Dealing with Dreaded Orange Spots in Handmade Soap

DOS can be a frustrating issue for those who make soap, but it doesn’t have to be. In this article, we will discuss what Dreaded Orange Spots are, why they appear, how to avoid DOS developing on your soap, and what to do if your soap it gets DOS.

How to infuse oils for handmade soap and skincare products

Wondering how to create an oil infusion? Is it really just a matter of popping some herbs into a jar with oils? Kind of… here’s a quick primer on oil infusions along with a video walk- through of the process, including oodles of tips & tricks including how to strain and store oil infusions for use in botanical soaps and salves.

Safe Soapmaking on a Budget: A Practical Guide for Beginning Soap Makers.

Soapmaking on a budget can be achieved! Here are tips from Kandra’s soapy friend Kathy on equipment and materials to get you started making soap without breaking the bank.

Olive Oil Soap made from a Castile Soap Recipe

A Super Simple Castile Soap Recipe, Plus What all the Fuss is About

Castile soap has been one of the most popular soaps for hundreds of years. Castile soap recipes also stir up question and confusion in the soapy community. So let’s dive in, answer those questions, resolve the confusion, and make some castile soap!

The Art of Soap Embeds: A How-To Guide for Handmade Soap

Soap embeds are the perfect way to bring beauty and color to your cold process soaps. In this guide, we’ll discuss how to make soap embeds and tips for successful placement of the embeds to decorate your soap.

How to Label Soap for Sale in the USA: The Nitty Gritty on Soap Labeling Regulations

If you’re selling soap in the USA, you need to be aware of the labeling regulations that come with it. Here are some details I learned from my soapy friend Marie Gale about labeling your soap products for sale in the USA.

How Long Will Natural Colors Last in Homemade Soap?

Have you ever wondered how long natural colors last in your homemade soap? Spoiler Alert: Over 2 Years and going strong!

Learn How to Make Charcoal Soap (and how much to use for shades of gray to black)

Learn how to use Activated Charcoal to make handmade charcoal soap: how much you need for grays to jet blacks, what exactly it is, and pro tips for clean up!

Soap Scum 101: what is soap scum and how to clean it.

Soap scum is a real drag… appearing everywhere from the bathroom to the kitchen to the laundry room, creating a never-ending cleaning . But fret not! I’ve got some great tips on how to deal with it, along with an explanation of what exactly it is!

Natural Soap Color 101: know your base, and your colors to make perfect soap colors every time!

Let’s chat about natural soap colors for a moment. What makes them, why your soap colors might be different from mine, and how you can perfect your botanical infusions and slurries to make consistent natural soap colors with every batch.