aloe vera gel from plant

[squeakyclean]

I have mega aloe vera plants in my yard and would like to incorporate the gel in my CPHP soap.

How much would I use for a 4lb loaf, when should I add it and will I need to add grapefruit seed oil?

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

[starduster]

I have mega aloe vera plants in my yard and would like to incorporate the gel in my CPHP soap.

How much would I use for a 4lb loaf, when should I add it and will I need to add grapefruit seed oil?

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

You are very lucky like me to have Aloe Vera in your garden. Of course you will use it. But probably not alone.I have yet to try that.
This is my technique.
When working out the recipe on the soap calculator I put the amount I will be using the Aloe Vera Butter space. So it calculates the amount of lye that will be needed for it.
I adjust the amount depending on what other oils I use to get the best bubbles ,hardness etc.
I blend it the best I can with a little bit of oil. It takes some blending and preparing. A hint here is to strip the flesh out of the leaves with a spoon not a knife. You do have to cut the leaves open with a knife. though.
I mix it in after I have bought the soap to trace.
This makes a beautiful soap for me .I can still add coconut and /or goats milk also.
The Aloe in my experience adds much to the bubbles. More than indicated on the soap calculator program. A lot of things are trial and error.
http://www.soapmaker.ca/SMhome.htm
That is the soap calculator I am referring to.
All the best

 

[jcandleattic]

When I had my aloe plant I nearly killed it trying to get enough gel out of it to use in soaping and it was a pretty significant plant. I couldn't get enough to even do 2 batches and it depleted my plant so bad that it took almost 6 months for it to get back to normal.
IMO it would be easier to just buy the gel...

 

[starduster]

One lonely little Aloe Vera plant

When I had my aloe plant I nearly killed it trying to get enough gel out of it to use in soaping and it was a pretty significant plant. I couldn't get enough to even do 2 batches and it depleted my plant so bad that it took almost 6 months for it to get back to normal.
IMO it would be easier to just buy the gel...

One lttle plant, you picked on one little plant ,poor baby.
Yes is some instances it may be best to buy the gel. We greedy Aloe uses just happen to have that as a perk off the land.
Digit, where are you, you would have a cute smilie for candleattics one plant?
:wink:

 

[jcandleattic]

Re: One lonely little Aloe Vera plant

When I had my aloe plant I nearly killed it trying to get enough gel out of it to use in soaping and it was a pretty significant plant. I couldn't get enough to even do 2 batches and it depleted my plant so bad that it took almost 6 months for it to get back to normal.
IMO it would be easier to just buy the gel...

One lttle plant, you picked on one little plant ,poor baby.
Yes is some instances it may be best to buy the gel. We greedy Aloe uses just happen to have that as a perk off the land.
Digit, where are you, you would have a cute smilie for candleattics one plant?
:wink:

LOL yeah, I picked on one poor plant. To get half cup of juice/gel though it took like 8 stalks. (It was a pretty sizable plant) But because it took so much that's why I wouldn't do it again... Unless I just didnt' know what I was doing. LOL

 

[Cattleyabubbles]

The amount of aloe you use in your 4# batch will be depend on what other oils you use and quality of soap your trying to making...There's also http://www.soapcalc.com I wouldn't take it from your aloe plant unless you have more than one plant. Whole Foods carries Aloe Vera Gel in the skin care dept.

 

[digit]

When I had my aloe plant I nearly killed it trying to get enough gel out of it to use in soaping and it was a pretty significant plant.

That poor thing...............how could you?????

At least it survived to cure another burn on another day.

Digit

 

[topcat]

Digit, I am sitting here, just giggling, over and over, at your gorgeous lil' emoticon! (I can't even remember what this thread is about...?...Oh, yeah! Aloe...)

Squeakyclean - starduster makes the most divine aloe soap so "what she said'!

Tanya

 

[Cattleyabubbles]

digit that's so funny...

 

[squeakyclean]

I know it would be alot easier to buy the aloe gel, but I have a "forrest" of aloe plants in my yard and it only seems right to put them to use rather than just cutting them back.

I'm going in for the kill!!

Thanks for the recipe Starduster!

 

[starduster]

Barrow loads of Aloe Vera

When I had my aloe plant I nearly killed it trying to get enough gel out of it to use in soaping and it was a pretty significant plant. I couldn't get enough to even do 2 batches and it depleted my plant so bad that it took almost 6 months for it to get back to normal.
IMO it would be easier to just buy the gel...

A serious note about the amount of Aloe you will need .I collect heaps of enoromous leaves thinking that has to be enough, but invariably on harvesting the gel within find I have to go back out once or twice more until I get enough for my recipes.
I think the size of the leaves are deceptive. No doupt eventually I will get the hang of it.
I am often seperating the baby plants (pups) now to try and establish a really big amount to fall back on. Just in case one lot gets sick ,burnt or I suddenly decide some other wonderfull use for them.
A friend actually experimented with exporting the flowers to Japan through another friend who was exporting all sorts of flowers at the time. In the end it wasn't cost effective.But you gotta give these things a try.