After recovering from a cold, I was excited to get back to making soap. I had several batches planned, so I master batched my oils to make the process easier. I measured everything out, got to work, and thought I was back in the swing of things.
Then, about 24 hours later, it hit me: I never added the coconut oil.
If you make soap, you know that's a pretty big ingredient to forget. I went back over what I had measured, hoping I'd simply forgotten checking it off somewhere, but I hadn't. I'd missed it.
It was frustrating, especially after putting the time and ingredients into those batches. I'm still deciding what to do with that soap, and I won't sell anything unless I'm confident it's safe and properly made. But mistakes happen. Mine happened when I was getting back into a routine after being sick and trying to keep track of a lot of measurements at once.
So I made myself a Master Batching Checklist.
Now I can sit down a day or so before I make soap and write out every oil, butter, and other ingredient I'll need. I can check off each one as I weigh it. There's also a spot for each of up to ten batches, where I can write the scent, fragrance amount, oil weight, lye weight, and water weight before I start pouring.
It's a simple change, but it makes my soap days feel a lot less like I'm relying on memory. And if I step away halfway through prep, I can see exactly where I left off.
I'm sharing the checklist in case it helps another soap maker, too. Maybe you've forgotten an ingredient. Maybe you've caught yourself just in time. Either way, I think most of us have a story that starts with, “Wait a minute…”
This one was mine. Live and learn—and next time, check the coconut oil box.
Download the free Master Batching Checklist (PDF)
You can also find it under Forms & Labels in Projects & Resources.
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