Dispersing clay in milk

[ackosel]

While making buffalo plaid soap for the recent October challenge, I used Moroccan red clay as a colorant. I usually disperse clay in distilled water, but since all my soap is made with fresh goat milk, I decided to disperse 1/2 tsp. of clay in milk instead of water. I prepped all my essential oils and colorants the night before making the soap, so I refrigerated the milk/clay solution overnight.

When I made the soap the next morning, I was surprised by the color of the finished soap. Instead of the light brick red color I was expecting, the soap turned grayish purple! Since that color didn't work for my plaid design, I made another batch with the same amount of clay in the same soap recipe, but this time I dispersed the clay in distilled water. This time, the color turned out as expected. Now I need to experiment with different color clays and see what colors come from dispersing the clay in milk vs distilled water.

Just thought I would share this accidental experiment for anyone else who might want to alternate liquids for dispersing colorants.

Left: clay dispersed in milk
Right: clay dispersed in distilled water

Edited to correct pregnancy brain mistake...

 

[LidiaG]

Just thought I would share this accidental experiment for anyone else who might want to alternate liquids for dispersing colorants.

Left: clay dispersed in milk
Right: clay dispersed in milk

Wow! Thank you for sharing! That's a big difference in color

 

[AliOop]

I'm a little confused; your description just above the picture says both bars are clay dispersed in milk... but from what you said above that, I think the one on the left should be labeled as clay dispersed in distilled water. Is that correct?

In any event, that's a very interesting difference, and thank you for sharing it!

 

[ackosel]

I'm a little confused; your description just above the picture says both bars are clay dispersed in milk... but from what you said above that, I think the one on the left should be labeled as clay dispersed in distilled water. Is that correct?

In any event, that's a very interesting difference, and thank you for sharing it!

Oops! That's what I get for trying to post about soap while making applesauce! Thanks for catching that!

I'll edit the original post to be correct:

Left: clay dispersed in milk
Right: clay dispersed in distilled water

 

[Nona'sFarm]

Interesting, had no idea it would make a difference.