Been out of touch, a few questions :)

[Mindyw86]

Hey everyone, it's been a while since I've had time to do much of anything, with kids out for the summer and all that.
I miss soaping so I am getting back after about a 2 month break. I have a few new orders coming and have a few questions on new things I want to try.... I have read all my notes and the board but just want to triple check...
I have colloidal oatmeal, as well as some kaolin clay on its way and have canned (evaporated) goats milk. My basic recipe down but want to try these things as well.
The goats milk I plan on adding the lye to half the water and then adding the other half (milk) into the oils. Or is there a better way to use canned milk? Anything specific about milk soaps I should be reminded of other than watching for overheating?
And if I want to use the clay and colloidal oatmeal how do I figured up what I should use ppo?

Also, I want to get my husband to make me a couple 1lb loaf molds for testing new fragrances and such, but for the life of me can't figure out the right dimensions to tell him. I want decent size bars and want it to hold 1lb of oils +my lye solution.... Anyone know how I can figure out what dimensions I need?

Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[tryanything]

Regarding the milk - you can do the split method as long as the water equals the amount of lye you are using. Never go less water then lye. You could put the milk in an ice cube tray and freeze it, then slowly add the lye to that. I do it that way and avoid scorching the milk. My bars turn a light tan color. I used canned goat milk all the time since I don't have access to fresh goat milk. I'm not sure on the clay since I've never used that before but the oatmeal can be added at 1 TBS PPO but really it's up to you and how you like the feel of it.

Do a search for oatmeal and clay (seperately) and you will probably get a lot of good advice regarding how much to use.

Can't help with the mold either. Good luck.

 

[Savvynurse]

Made bentonite clay soap today used 1T ppo and it didn't seize up on me. I mixed it in with my oils prior to adding lye. I too use lots of canned goatmilk for my soaps and what I do is while my water/lye is cooling I put the goatmilk portion into freezer to make it slushy.....not hat but slushy. I get light tan as well

 

[Mindyw86]

Thanks for the responses, another question though. If you are mixing you lye with water why put the milk in the freezer? I understand if you are putting your lye in the milk, but could u explain if u are mixing the lye with water and adding the milk to the oils?


Thanks for a starting point on the oatmeal and clay

 

[robtr31]

Thanks for the responses, another question though. If you are mixing you lye with water why put the milk in the freezer? I understand if you are putting your lye in the milk, but could u explain if u are mixing the lye with water and adding the milk to the oils?


Thanks for a starting point on the oatmeal and clay

Regarding the milk - you can do the split method as long as the water equals the amount of lye you are using. Never go less water then lye. You could put the milk in an ice cube tray and freeze it, then slowly add the lye to that. I do it that way and avoid scorching the milk

it reads your using both lye and water (split method) but make sure u have the same amount of water as to lye for it to dissolve and the rest can be frozen milk. then slowly add the lye/water mixture to the frozen milk. I do it that way and avoid scorching the milk

water, frozen milk should equal total liqiuds

 

[shunt2011]

I mix my lye with the water and add my room temp goat milk to the oils and stick blend them and then once the lye/water mixture is cool I just add that to my oil/milk mix. Been doing it that way for a long time and never get overheated milk.

 

[Mindyw86]

Thank you shunt, that is exactly what I was thinking of doing.

Something else I just thought of, is it harder to color GM soap? Some I want to do no scent or color for my sister and nephew to try, but I love color

 

[OliveOil2]

I use the split method with fresh goat milk, I add the goat milk at light trace, and it is cooler than room temp. It is basically the same thing, I just feel that I have a little more control this way, I use the stick blender to mix the oil/lye water mixture, and then once I have poured in the goat milk I either pulse a couple of times or just stir blend depending on the consistency of the batter. Mine are poured into silicone individual bars, and stay an ivory color.