Teach Soap

Hi Folks,

I have a question about Beeswax. What properties do people use it for? I look at SoapCalc and see that it has none of the usual Fatty acids that we soapers are interested in. However, it has an SAP value! Presumably, this means that it takes up some of the NAOH? Why is it used in soap and at what sort of quantities?

I have a friend who keeps bees and he has kindly given me some to use. I'd like to make some soap using it and return some of it to him saponified. I'd also like it to be safe and pleasant to use though.

Any help gratefully received.

Cheers,

Grant

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Cheers,

Grant

He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose. [Jim Elliott]

You can absolutely use beeswax in soap. It adds hardness to the bars and can also help prevent soda ash. Don't use too much though, as it can decrease the lather. Try it at 1-2% of your recipe to start and see how you like it. You can use beeswax in other products like lip balm/butter too, if you happen to make other things.

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~Kelly~

I use beeswax in pretty much every soap batch. It does add hardness, even in small amounts. I prefer not to gel, so for me, I can unmold sooner as the soap gets harder faster.

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Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.

Great. So I should use as little as 1-2% beeswax and adjust my lye to account for it? An SAP value of about 0.065 according to SoapCalc.

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Cheers,

Grant

He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose. [Jim Elliott]

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Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.