How I Turned a Soap Making Disaster Into a Life Lesson (and Ugly Soap)

The Humble Shepherd
Apr 19, 2024
4 min read

Updated: Nov 16

Picture this: a sunny afternoon, me in my kitchen, armed with goggles, gloves, and an ambitious plan to create the *perfect* batch of artisan soap. I was still in the early days of my soap making journey, full of ideas, optimism, and you guessed it, absolutely no sense of moderation.

Why make a small, manageable batch of soap when you can make enough to cleanse every muddy sheep in the Shire? Exactly. Go big or go home, right? Well, dear reader, what ensued was an unforgettable lesson in what happens when soap making mistakes meet overconfidence. *Spoiler alert*: seized soap batch incoming!

The Moment of Seizing Doom

Things started well enough, as they often do. My oils were melted, my lye solution was at the perfect temperature, and I was feeling like a chemistry genius. Then came the fragrance oil. Oh, the fragrance oil. A heady concoction of florals and citrus, it had promised to transport my senses to a Mediterranean garden. Instead, it transported my soap batter straight to concrete-ville.

The moment I poured it into the mix, the batter seized up faster than a cat seeing a cucumber. One second, it was a silky, ‘perfect’ batter; the next, it was a lumpy, unyielding mass that resembled mashed potatoes after a bad day. It was as though someone had whispered, "Freeze!" and my soap obeyed. My reaction? A sophisticated blend of panicked stirring and shouting, "What on earth is happening?!"

What Is Soap Seizing and Why Does It Happen?

If you're new to the world of cold process soap making, let me explain. Seizing is when your soap batter rapidly thickens and solidifies, often before you have a chance to pour it into the mould. It's like your soap has decided it's done and would rather harden in your mixing bowl than live its best life as a beautifully shaped bar.

So, why does this happen? In my case, it was the fragrance oil. Some fragrance oils can accelerate the saponification process, they're like the caffeine of the soap world. Certain oils, especially those with floral or spice notes, are notorious culprits. Add too much or stir for too long, and you've got yourself a seized soap batch. And yes, I did both.

What I Did Wrong (AKA, My Laundry List of Errors)

Let’s just say I was not exactly setting myself up for success. Here’s where it all went pear-shaped:

Too much fragrance oil: Instead of measuring it sensibly, I went by the "a little more can't hurt" philosophy. Spoiler: it can.
Using a trouble-prone fragrance: I didn’t research the fragrance beforehand. Had I done so, I might’ve discovered that it’s about as soap-friendly as a toddler in a china shop.
Overzealous stirring: When the batter started to thicken, I panicked and stirred like I was churning butter in the 1800s. Absolutely the wrong move.

Basically, it was a perfect storm of inexperience, impatience, and poor choices. Who needs drama series when you’ve got soap making?

How I Salvaged the Ugly Soap

Once the panic subsided (and I accepted that I was not, in fact, a soap-making prodigy), it was time to get creative. While the batter was lumpy and uncooperative, it was still soap. So, I scooped it into the moulds with the grace of a toddler making a mud pie. The result? Let’s just say no one’s pinning it to their Pinterest boards. The bars looked like they'd been chewed up by a goat and spat back out. However, functionally, they were fine. They lathered, they cleaned, and they smelled vaguely like citrus if you squinted hard enough. And, thankfully, this batch was only for home use. No customers were harmed in the making of this disaster.

Lessons Learned (So You Don’t Have to Learn the Hard Way)

While my seized soap batch was an absolute eyesore, it was also an excellent teacher. Here’s what I learnt:

Research your fragrance oils: Some oils are notorious for causing seizing or acceleration. Check reviews or data sheets before adding them to your soap.
Measure carefully: Use a fragrance calculator and stick to the recommended amounts. It’s not the time to eyeball it or get creative.
Keep cool and carry on: If your soap starts to seize, don’t panic! Stir gently or plop it into the mould as-is. Ugly soap is better than no soap.

Tips to Prevent Soap Making Mistakes Like This

If you’re worried about making a seized soap batch of your own, here are a few extra tips:

Use essential oils that are less likely to accelerate trace. For guidance, check out our post on essential oils for soap making.
Soap at a lower temperature. Cooler oils and lye solutions are less likely to speed up saponification.
Test new fragrance oils in small batches first. Trust me, your mixing bowl will thank you.

And if all else fails? Remember that even ugly soap still cleans beautifully. It’s what’s inside that counts (side eye).

For Beginners:

If you’re new to soap making and feeling a bit daunted after this tale of woe, don’t be. Everyone - and I mean everyone - makes mistakes. The key is to learn from them, keep experimenting, and remember that even the pros have their disasters. Mistakes are what make the wins even sweeter.

Final Thoughts (and a Bit of Encouragement)

My seizing soap story is now a fond (if slightly cringeworthy) memory. These days, I’m much more careful when experimenting with fragrances. I’ve also learnt that not every batch has to be perfect. Some soaps are here to dazzle; others are just here to do the job. And that’s okay. If you’ve had your own soap making fiasco recently, remember: it gets better. The next batch might just be your masterpiece.

If you’re ready to try again, why not treat yourself to some top-quality oils and butters? Check out our shop for supplies that’ll help you create your next (successful) batch. Happy soaping, folks!