A couple question for Aussie soapers

[MizzBee]

Thank you Sandyfootfarmer
Yep I get my castor oil from Aussie Soap Supplies, I'm waiting to hear from a supplier in Wingfield in S.A, they sell castor oil cosmetic grade in bulk. Will post it up when I hear from them.

MizzBee would you please let us know, on this thread, when you hear from the supplier in Wingfield.

Have decided that I'll put in an order to Escentials for castor oil. Has anyone used any of the FO's that they sell? I've bought EO's from them before, and they're ok.

Well I feel a little embarrassed bothering this guy in Wingfield now lol, he is way beyond my means...he only does very large quantities of castor oil, he hasn't given me a price yet but sent me a email asking what I would be interested in.

This is his email:
'Basically pack sizes are 200lt, or 1000lt, ISO which is around 22000 and bulk which can be up to 1 million litres.'

Hubby is laughing at me because the most I'm looking for 5 litres.

 

[Dragonkaz]

I've been using 33 gm Sweetcakes FO in my 1300 gm oil mix. So far the smells are great, but I've not been using them long ... so the test of time is still to come.

I'd rather spend a little more to get a good sweetcakes FO from NCS than pay less for a nasty one from Escentials.

MizzBee thanks for that ... but like you, I'm going to be sticking with a 5 litre can!

 

[nattynoo]

So agree with that Kat.
Must say I don't use alot of straight FO but in the few I do I've been using it at 5%. I tend to blend FO with EO.
Was wondering if peeps use the SW at the same rate.
I'm going to give a few a go.

A million litres of castor!!....LMAO!!! You could fill up my entire house with that.
Sooooo....... who's prepared to bottle & split that up between us all?.....kekekeke..... co op anyone?....rofl.

 

[Lynnz]

Anyone interested in a Aussie soap swap???????

Me me me love to use others soaps :0)

I purchase my lye from Escentials as well and yes it is a real pits for bouncing around the place!!!!
As for lining not me toooooo lazy for that so bought silicone lined molds..............luv luv luv em :0)

 

[Beatty]

A couple of questions I need some help with ... ta!

I'm getting a wooden log mould for Mother's Day. I've read that I'll need to line it with 'freezer paper' ... what is that in Australia? Any other advice, as I've only used silcon moulds.

I usually buy mechanix lye at the supermarket, but today they didn't have any. They did have a couple of other brands ... that sounded good, but I'm not sure. What brands do you buy?

Freezer paper is very similar to greaseproof paper Drangonkaz.
I use wooden loaf molds all the time and I either use greaseproof paper or what we in Australia call "Lamb side bags" which are big plasic bags that hold a complete side of lamb, and I buy them very cheaply from a butcher's supply store. I slit them open while they lay flat so I get to mold linings from each bag.
To hold the paper or plastic firmly in place to the wood of the molds I spary the wood with a little cooking oil spay so the paper or plastic sticks to it long enough to fill the molds with soap mixture but once the soap has set in the mold it slides out easily with the paper on, and then I just peal the paper off the soap once it's out of the mold.

I but my caustic in 20kilo bags at a time as it's very cheap that way.
I always use "Pearl" caustic as it is so clean and white.

I hope this information helps you.

Best regards,
Beatty
CP soap maker for over 60 years.
(Yes, I'm 80 years old and still making soap lol)

 

[Relle]

Beatty, congratulations for making soap for 60 yrs, you must have a wealth of knowledge up your sleeve.

Relle.

 

[Beatty]

Beatty, congratulations for making soap for 60 yrs, you must have a wealth of knowledge up your sleeve.

Relle.

Thank you for your kind words Relle

Actually I have been making soaps and candles a fair bit longer than that if you count in the years I only did it now and then after learning both crafts from my mother from the age of about 6 years old.

I have taught my own 3 daughters, and several of my grandchildren since then and now one of my grand daughters has a nice business working in both CP soap and candles in Victoria, but I still get the odd phonecall from her asking me for the odd bit of advice so it's nice to know that I still have something to offer other people even though I am a silly old lady lol.

 

[nattynoo]

Welcome Beatty!!

Lyn - I'll put you done then.
I started a thread for anyone else interested in the swapsie.

 

[nattynoo]

Whoops, I didn't realise we need permission to do a soap swap!!

We'll just wait to hear back from a Mod.
I'm sure all will be ok but better do it via the right channels.

 

[nattynoo]

OK so I'm one to have to know for myself.
Made my usual chocolate soap.
Same recipe, I've made this soap ALOT, same everything I usually do but instead of EO I used straight chocolate FO from escentials.
What does one even do to dispose of that!!



Uploaded with ImageShack.us

I have been blending the FO with EO but clearly I've been ...lucky ... could be the only word.
What a waste of friggin' money.
:evil: mad, but better the devil you know.

 

[cinta]

Oh gosh What IS that on top? It looks like some oils have separated...I wonder if you drain the (oils?) from the top, could you possible dry and re-batch the bottom of it? Hmmmm, I'm certainly not an experienced soapmaker, but I havn't seen anything like that before! :shock:

 

[cinta]

That pic actually reminds me of my mother-in-law's lasagne

 

[Traceyann]

HOLY COW Beatty, thats fantastic, Hope I am as good at 80 as you are !!!! oh and Welcome lol

I told Andrew ( my son ) I was going to live to 120 yrs old ....just to annoy the crap outta him lol

Cinta LOL @ the Lasagna hope it tastes better than soap lmao

Mizzbee....I would be interested in 5-10 kilos, dunno about the other soapers from Oz, maybe if its a good price it might be worth repackaging and posting ??

 

[Traceyann]

Nat I know EXACTLY how u feel, non of my Fo's from there have performed ...they have all seized bar one....

 

[MizzBee]

HOLY COW Beatty, thats fantastic, Hope I am as good at 80 as you are !!!! oh and Welcome lol

I told Andrew ( my son ) I was going to live to 120 yrs old ....just to annoy the crap outta him lol

Cinta LOL @ the Lasagna hope it tastes better than soap lmao

Mizzbee....I would be interested in 5-10 kilos, dunno about the other soapers from Oz, maybe if its a good price it might be worth repackaging and posting ??

Hi Beatty, looking forward to learning some soaping knowledge from someone who is so experienced as you are and welcome also!

Traceyann I annoy my son (who is a grown man and still living at home) by just saying good morning or asking him if he wants a cuppa lol.
I'll ask the castor oil man how much for the 200lt drum and post back when I receive an answer.

Oh nattynoo I would be devastated, touch wood though....I haven't had this happen yet! Well I certainly won't be ordering FO from escentials :shock:

 

[nattynoo]

2kgs of wasted soap. I found a box, lined it with a garbage bag & poured the lovely smelling gloop into it.
It was seperating & seizing all at the same time.
One might think I soaped too hot but I soap fairly cool these days to avoid gel so it wasn't that.
Might use the FO I have there for solid sugar scrub or something.

Beatty - 20kg bag of sodium hydroxide!! Thats huge. I've not heard of the brand Pearl. Where does one buy that???? Do you transfer that into some sort of container?

 

[Bubbles Galore]

Twas probably the FO Nat. If that happens again, you can scrape it all back into the bowl and stick blend until smooth and let it gel in bowl and then pour back into mould as it will have HP'd itself. :wink:

 

[Lynnz]

really have to wonder if these fragrances are designed for use in soap at all :0)
Betty welcome wow cannot wait to hear of your soap and candle making adventures.............I guess you will be one who remembers the paraffin only days :0) I still love to use paraffin personally :0)
Your lye sounds so much easier to use do you mind sharing where this can be sourced :0)

 

[Dragonkaz]

Beatty it's so great to have you on this forum and to have a person with so much knowledge to share is fantastic. It's also great that you're located in this country, as local knowledge can also be an advantage! Welcome!

Nattynoo ... what a major pain! I have not heard anything positive about the FO's from Escentials. I'm currently using two of their EO's ... and so far so good!

Nattynoo ... will information about an Aussie soap swap be on a different forum? I'm a bit boring when it comes to where I go on this site ... The Photo Gallery and Soap Forum ... occasionally I visit General Chat ... but I seem to be spending so much time on here, I've intentionally not looked elsewhere! LOL!

I started using lye from the kg plastic bottle I bought from Brunnings, this weekend. I've found it as easy to use as the 500 gm size I used to buy at the supermarket size.

Tracey - I like your idea of getting 5-10 kg of lye ... but how would we organise the packaging and posting of it?

 

[Traceyann]

Kaz I meant the castor oil, I dont think u can post the Lye here in OZ, i think it has to go via courier .....not 100% sure on that but I tried to get potassium hydroxide but couldnt as no one will post it