Distilled water shortage??

[earlene]

@earlene am I correct in thinking that DOS is due to oils becoming rancid? If that is the case, would the liquid portion of the recipe have any contribution to that process? I haven't used distilled water even though it was recommended in many articles as I thought that several hundred years ago, people wouldn't probably bother adding distilled water to the soap making process, or were they using distilled water as they were drinking it themselves to prevent infection/diseases due to microbes in the water?

From an aromatherapy point of view, factors that increased oxidation of oils (essential oils as well as carrier oils) was exposure to heat and light. I've had a quick look at some other sites that claim the water content can effect DOS, but the don't give an explanation of how. My brain works from a scientific point of view, If you can't explain it to me how and why, I'm going to disregard that statement. I did find this article though:

The Dreaded Orange Spot (soapguild.org)

This article was published in 2005, so if there any others that refute these findings, I'd love to have a look.

There is a lot of material out there that points to the possibility of metals and other contaminants in water contributing to rancidity & DOS in soap. That's why I mentioned that.

Here are just a few links easily found with a Google search.
https://www.soapmakingmagazine.co.uk/blog/index.php/2017/06/05/dreaded-orange-spot/https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/tips-and-tricks/dreaded-orange-spots/https://makingsoapmagazine.com/2019/01/25/oh-that-distressing-dos/https://classicbells.com/soap/rancidity.asphttps://rusticwise.com/orange-spots-in-homemade-soap/
As well as numerous discussions here at SMF - here are a couple of examples:
https://www.soapmakingforum.com/threads/question-on-my-7-month-bastille-soap.58256/#post-573837https://www.soapmakingforum.com/threads/is-there-a-reason-for-dos.63281/#post-643502
In any case, that's pretty much the gist of it, I think. Metals and other contaminants being a catalyst for oxidation & DOS.

NB: I follow Dr. Dunn's research and advice to use a combination of ROE & EDTA to prevent DOS and to reduce soap scum. When I run out of EDTA, my plan it to use GLDA, another chelator as reports are quite positive.

 

[mkhan95]

Hello OP! I read a blog post on how to make distilled water in six simple steps from American Home Water & Air and I highly recommend you check it out if you're interested in trying to make your own distilled water. This way, you can have access to distilled water even when you're supermarket doesn't have it.

 

[AliOop]

I bought a home distiller a few weeks ago and love it. Other than the size (big and bulky), it’s fantastic. I get almost a gallon in less than four hours. No more worries about running out, using all those plastic jugs, etc.