Folded Orange EO

[CaraBou]

Has anyone experimented much with EO alternatives to 10x folded sweet orange EO? Or know where there's a decent price these days? It's almost time to make an orange-patchouli again.

My supply of 10x folded orange EO is almost nil. It appears there is a shortage and costs have gone way up. For example, Bramble Berry had 3.5 oz for less than $9 in Feb 2020, whereas today it is about $23 (142% increase). By comparison, their peppermint EO 2nd distill was $15 then versus $22'ish now (42% increase). I know a lot has changed since pre-pandemic, but clearly something is up with folded orange in particular.

For consolation, their price for lye hasn't changed much (less than 5%) since Jan 2023 ($15 for 2 lbs). I don't have receipts for 2020, but it doesn't seem too out of line.

 

[Vicki C]

I get so frustrated with orange EO, I feel like it always fades instantly during saponification. Even folded. I am not a believer in “anchoring” with kaolin clay, but I plan to do some experiments this winter.
Brambleberry has some great fragrance oils but their essential oils are pricey. Try New Directions Aromatics, Jedwards, or SVA.

 

[ackosel]

I get so frustrated with orange EO, I feel like it always fades instantly during saponification. Even folded. I am not a believer in “anchoring” with kaolin clay, but I plan to do some experiments this winter.
Brambleberry has some great fragrance oils but their essential oils are pricey. Try New Directions Aromatics, Jedwards, or SVA.

My experience with folded orange is the same. It's such a waste to spend so much for it and have it disappear immediately. I've tried letting it sit in kaolin clay for a couple hours before adding it to soap batter, but it's always gone as soon as it hits the lye. Goodness, I've even used it in whipped tallow balm along with lemon & peppermint and the citrus disappeared in that, too! Guess I'll just have to eat a fresh orange when I want to smell it!

 

[paradisi]

Has anyone experimented much with EO alternatives to 10x folded sweet orange EO? Or know where there's a decent price these days? It's almost time to make an orange-patchouli again.

My supply of 10x folded orange EO is almost nil. It appears there is a shortage and costs have gone way up. For example, Bramble Berry had 3.5 oz for less than $9 in Feb 2020, whereas today it is about $23 (142% increase). By comparison, their peppermint EO 2nd distill was $15 then versus $22'ish now (42% increase). I know a lot has changed since pre-pandemic, but clearly something is up with folded orange in particular.

For consolation, their price for lye hasn't changed much (less than 5%) since Jan 2023 ($15 for 2 lbs). I don't have receipts for 2020, but it doesn't seem too out of line.

There's a combination of disease and weather problems causing shortages and price jumps. Citrus Greening is ruining orange crops (groves get plowed under as there's currently no cure), and hurricanes etc. do more damage.

Prices are unlikely to drop much any time soon, unfortunately.

 

[lsg]

You might try using regular orange EO with a fixative or combine it with another EO such as cedarwood, litsea cubeba or vetiver.

 

[A-Polly]

@lsg: You might try using regular orange EO with a fixative or combine it with another EO such as cedarwood, litsea cubeba or vetiver.

I've also had good luck with 10x orange blended with patchouli or cinnamon.

I've never purchased from Arizona Soap Supply, but see that they list 10x orange at $16 for 4 ounces.
Arizona Soap Supply - 10 fold orange

Has anyone used 5-fold Orange EO? It's available from New Directions (3.3 oz, $10.99) and Majestic Mountain Sage (4 oz., $10.85) but I've not tried it.
On the other end of the cost spectrum, WSP sells 4 oz. of Crafter's Choice 15x orange for $69.95!!!

 

[soapmaker]

New Directions have a 5 fold, very reasonable.

 

[ackosel]

I've also had good luck with 10x orange blended with patchouli or cinnamon.

I've never purchased from Arizona Soap Supply, but see that they list 10x orange at $16 for 4 ounces.
Arizona Soap Supply - 10 fold orange

Has anyone used 5-fold Orange EO? It's available from New Directions (3.3 oz, $10.99) and Majestic Mountain Sage (4 oz., $10.85) but I've not tried it.
On the other end of the cost spectrum, WSP sells 4 oz. of Crafter's Choice 15x orange for $69.95!!!

I've been using the 5x Orange from New Directions with no luck getting it to stick in CP soap. It does make a nice pale orange color, though.

 

[AliOop]

I have used 5x and 10x and neither sticks in soap. The 10x does well in lotions and bath bombs - probably bc both are sealed until use.

 

[LakeWater]

I used to used BB 10x and had pretty good luck with it but agreed that it has gotten too expensive. I tried some from a couple other companies but they were pretty weak in terms of staying power. I don't use kaolin clay to "anchor" anything. Feel like you have a good FO that sticks or you don't- at least for me kaolin clay didn't do anything. Would love to hear from others what their favorite orange FO is??

 

[dibbles]

I also use BB 10x for a patchouli/orange blend. It did fade, but hung on for awhile. I've also used whatever Camden-Grey sold (6x, I think) but they, sadly, closed the business recently. I haven't shopped for orange EO for awhile. I would also be hesitant to spend that amount of money for an orange EO that will be likely to fade fairly quickly.

I haven't had luck trying to anchor the scent with kaolin clay either, but I have read a couple of times that people do. Likewise, anchoring with Litsea - I end up with litsea scented soap - which is nice - but it isn't orange.

 

[Becky1024]

Regular sweet orange essential oil will stay if you use it in hot process if that is an option for you.

 

[CaraBou]

Thanks everyone for lamenting with me and sharing great suggestions. I love 10x orange with patchouli, and the scent lasts long enough for the small batches I make. But I do have a good sniffer. I get it that some people can't smell it after it's gone through the cold process. I've given up on pink grapefruit EO in CP for that reason. But I keep it for bath salts so I don't have to go completely without it!

I haven't managed to balance litsea with orange either. But it reminds me that I do have some bergamot, so maybe I'll trying subbing that and see how it goes. I should also try some new, non-citrus blends with patchouli, as I have a fair amount of that right now.

@A-Polly, thanks for the reminder about Arizona Soap Supply. I've never really checked them out, but they are probably the closest supplier to me now. Here I go!

 

[Phantomina]

Mayam (EU) 10xfolded orange worked for me in CP, but it gets lost really quick. Like after the cure is already gone. Too expensive for such a short period.

 

[lsg]

You might try cedarwood EO with orange EO. I think the fragrance is great.

 

[CaraBou]

You might try cedarwood EO with orange EO. I think the fragrance is great.

Okay! You only need to tell me twice, lol. Any ratio you'd recommend? 65 or 70'ish orange?

 

[lsg]

If I remember correctly it is 3 parts Sweet Orange EO to 1 part Cedarwood EO