3 new soaps, and a challenge to a theory :)

[IanT]

Made 3 batches of soap this week!!

1) All olive oil, lavendar buds to scent

2) olive oil/castor oil (peppermin-eucalyptus)

3) olive oil, castor oil, coconut oil (patchouli)

Results:

1) Very nice bar, firm and it SMELLS like lavender... so that means yes.. I am challenging the theory that using herbs alone to scent soap will not work, because my soap most certainly smells like lavendar (though suddle) !!! I simply infused the oils and then instead of draining the lavendar out of the soap i SB'd the heck out of it til it was all liquified... sweeeeet. I like this bar in the shower already so i cant imagine after a nice cure...

2) This bar came out nicely, i used 1tsp ppo of EO's and the smell has came through nicely...nice firm bar and nice lather...

3) This bar was a little mushier than the other two (which was suprising because i thought the coconut oil would have made the soap harder, but i was wrong!!!...) this soap smells o.k., im not impressed with this recipe, but we will see what it turns into!


I used a 5% superfat for all recipes.


Soooo... I am also going to challege the theory that herbs cannot scent soap effectively (EO's DO COME FROM HERBS NOW DONT THEY?? ....

I have not determine whether or not this is cost effective yet but that is the next step...

I am quite happy with how they have turned out though!... will get some pics up at some point soon .. i pwooooooooomise !

 

[bubblefan]

That's awesome! I'm always on the lookout for scenting alternatives.

What was your lavender bud to oil ratio?

 

[Guest]

Interesting about the batch with the coconut oil coming out softer than the other 2 batches.

What were your oil percentages in that batch?

 

[Lindy]

I have always found lavender all by itself scents my soaps just fine and like you said it is a subtle scent, but that is how I prefer it. I don't want my soaps to overwhelm you with scent, just quality.... :wink:

 

[Jeremy]

You have inspired me to try looking at things a different way. I have gone ahead and broken some rules that I have been following last night. So I will now have to wait and see if I have soap or gloopy messes.
I liked your idea about using just the lavender flowers to scent the oils, so I made a small 100% PO batch, only a swirl of colour, no added scent, if it turns out I have you to thank for the idea. If not I still thank you for thinking outside the box.

 

[Etelka]

IanT wrote:

Soooo... I am also going to challege the theory that herbs cannot scent soap effectively (EO's DO COME FROM HERBS NOW DONT THEY?? ....

That's very true, but to get just a few milliliters of lavender eo you would need pounds and pounds of lavender buds. How much did you use to infuse your oil? If you do have a bit of scent coming through now, it will be interesting to see how long it lasts, please let us know.
Did you color your soap at all, if not, what color did it end up with the lavender buds in there? Do you CP or HP?

 

[honor435]

Made 3 batches of soap this week!!

1) All olive oil, lavendar buds to scent

2) olive oil/castor oil (peppermin-eucalyptus)

3) olive oil, castor oil, coconut oil (patchouli)

Results:

1) Very nice bar, firm and it SMELLS like lavender... so that means yes.. I am challenging the theory that using herbs alone to scent soap will not work, because my soap most certainly smells like lavendar (though suddle) !!! I simply infused the oils and then instead of draining the lavendar out of the soap i SB'd the heck out of it til it was all liquified... sweeeeet. I like this bar in the shower already so i cant imagine after a nice cure...

2) This bar came out nicely, i used 1tsp ppo of EO's and the smell has came through nicely...nice firm bar and nice lather...

3) This bar was a little mushier than the other two (which was suprising because i thought the coconut oil would have made the soap harder, but i was wrong!!!...) this soap smells o.k., im not impressed with this recipe, but we will see what it turns into!


I used a 5% superfat for all recipes.


Soooo... I am also going to challege the theory that herbs cannot scent soap effectively (EO's DO COME FROM HERBS NOW DONT THEY?? ....

I have not determine whether or not this is cost effective yet but that is the next step...

I am quite happy with how they have turned out though!... will get some pics up at some point soon .. i pwooooooooomise !

Ive never made 100% olive oil soap, are you cp'ing? how does it turn out?

 

[MikeInPdx]

Ian...

Give number 3 a few weeks to truly set up and it will be hard as a rock. I've had that happen with that combo of oils before, and it just takes them longer.

I have a couple of oatmeal vanilla spice that probably should registered as a deadly weapon.

 

[MikeInPdx]

Ive never made 100% olive oil soap, are you cp'ing? how does it turn out?

It's lovely soap, IMHO, makes a very luscious, creamy lather that some people find slimy.

It takes a long time to trace with full water and EVOO.....so I would get some pure, or pomace OO and go with a 40% lye solution. Then it's a piece of cake and quick to make.

It does take a long time to set up completely....6-8 weeks, but once it's set up, it's very hard.

 

[Lindy]

I love 100% OO soap and make it on an regular basis. I soap it at a 5% Superfat and it does take a while to fully cure but it really is a rock when fully cured.

Ian - good for you for breaking rules - that's just way too much fun... 8) 8) 8)

 

[IanT]

Sorry it took me so long to get back to everyone! my Dad was in town from NY so I havent been around for a few days! No worries.... this might be a long one

That's awesome! I'm always on the lookout for scenting alternatives.

What was your lavender bud to oil ratio?

I used 3/4 of buds for 1lb of oils (it was a 1lb batch) w/ my mini mold

Interesting about the batch with the coconut oil coming out softer than the other 2 batches.

What were your oil percentages in that batch?

I know!!! thats what i thought !! I was like whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat!?!?!?

80% EVOO 15% CO 5% Castor

I have always found lavender all by itself scents my soaps just fine and like you said it is a subtle scent, but that is how I prefer it. I don't want my soaps to overwhelm you with scent, just quality....

Exactly well said!!!

You have inspired me to try looking at things a different way. I have gone ahead and broken some rules that I have been following last night. So I will now have to wait and see if I have soap or gloopy messes.
I liked your idea about using just the lavender flowers to scent the oils, so I made a small 100% PO batch, only a swirl of colour, no added scent, if it turns out I have you to thank for the idea. If not I still thank you for thinking outside the box.

Im so glad I inspired you!! that makes me smile! Let me know what happens!!!

Quote:
IanT wrote:
Quote:
Soooo... I am also going to challege the theory that herbs cannot scent soap effectively (EO's DO COME FROM HERBS NOW DONT THEY?? ....


That's very true, but to get just a few milliliters of lavender eo you would need pounds and pounds of lavender buds. How much did you use to infuse your oil? If you do have a bit of scent coming through now, it will be interesting to see how long it lasts, please let us know.
Did you color your soap at all, if not, what color did it end up with the lavender buds in there? Do you CP or HP?

yup... its all about concentration pretty much... I would lovvvve to have enough land to eventually be able to distill my own EO.. even if only for one plant like lavender... it would be sooo cool!!! I used 3/4 cup of buds and SB'd the heck out of them after infusing the oil in a double boiler with the buds (whole)... I think next time i might try to SB the buds before i mix the lye solution in...

I am interested to see how long it lasts as well, or if it gets stronger with time!.. the color is sort of brownish tan, with speckled brown (little tiny shreds of the buds inside the soaps... I SB'd the heck out of them remember.. so there really wasnt too much left of them in whole form within the soap... sort of just the harder fibers , which provides a nice scrubby feeling... kind of nice and natural looking. the lavender buds i sprinkled on top retained their color partly, and then after a few days partly bled into the top of the soap. Some of the buds remained slightly purplish but they definitely retained their scent. you can smell it from the side (within the soap) and from the top of it... for now at least.

and I do CP

Ive never made 100% olive oil soap, are you cp'ing? how does it turn out?

Yup I am CPing, I have never made one before this either and to be honest while showering with it the day I cut it I was thinking to myself why havent i done this yet!?!?!? Lol.... It is a very nice bar of soap, I can see how people would think its slimy, but i love it! Im going to make many more! They came out soft at first...sticky even.. now they are suprisingly hard... i mean real hard... lol... i cant imagine in a month or two from now how hard theyll be!?!?!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

honor435 wrote:

Ive never made 100% olive oil soap, are you cp'ing? how does it turn out?


It's lovely soap, IMHO, makes a very luscious, creamy lather that some people find slimy.

It takes a long time to trace with full water and EVOO.....so I would get some pure, or pomace OO and go with a 40% lye solution. Then it's a piece of cake and quick to make.

It does take a long time to set up completely....6-8 weeks, but once it's set up, it's very hard.


MikeInPdx Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2009 1:01 pm Post subject:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ian...

Give number 3 a few weeks to truly set up and it will be hard as a rock. I've had that happen with that combo of oils before, and it just takes them longer.

I have a couple of oatmeal vanilla spice that probably should registered as a deadly weapon.

you are totally right.. theyve firmed up quite a bit and i can now pick them up without getting them on my fingers... theyre almost spongy!?! haha... the other bars have hardened quite a bit as welll!!

I loooooove EVOO though lol... that and because its got more unsaponifiables in it

but im going to try the 40% solution though! it took foooorever for it to trace... i poured it at a very light trace to tell ya the truth... lol didnt want to burn my sb out !!!

Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2009 1:23 pm Post subject:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I love 100% OO soap and make it on an regular basis. I soap it at a 5% Superfat and it does take a while to fully cure but it really is a rock when fully cured.

Ian - good for you for breaking rules - that's just way too much fun...

hehe thanks!!! I think im going to be right there with ya making this on a regular basis... I love it! it is so awesome!!

The soaps have firmed up sooooooooooo much! I can see how they shall soon be capable of some damage lol ...



Ill keep ya all updated on how they turn out!! I really appreciate everyone checking them out and everyones feedback!! I will get pics up soon i promise.. been so bad with getting pics up (and i know im usually the one demading them!?!!? :shock: )


8)

 

[honor435]

Interesting about the batch with the coconut oil coming out softer than the other 2 batches.

What were your oil percentages in that batch?

 

[IanT]

think i answered that one above already or did you mean to type something else??

percentages:



80% EVOO 15% CO 5% Castor