Gardeners soap - using ground pumice

[Dragonkaz]

This weekend I'm hoping to make some gardening soap. I was planning to make it with -

500 gm Coconut oil (copha)
250 gm Canola oil
250 gm Olive oil
150 gm Lye
360 gm Water
40.8 gm Essential oil - peppermint

I want to add ground pumice ... any suggestions as to what weight I would add to this mix? Also when to I add it?

Colour - I have some kelp powder and have read that it can give a 'green' shade. Has anyone else heard of this? How much and when would I add it?

Thanks for any help you can give a newbie! 8)

 

[Half Caper Farm]

Can't help you on the pumice, but my experience with the kelp powder is that you get brown. Not even remotely anything resembling green. It still looks nice swirled with my goat's milk soap, which tends towards a light tan - rather a subtle mix. (see signature line)

 

[nattynoo]

I haven't used pumice for an exfoliant just but I'd imagine you'd need to add it at a slighter thicker trace. So it doesn't sink to the bottom. Not too thick so that u can't mould it nicely but past thin trace anyhow.... Does that make sense. This is what I'd do anyway.
See what other say.

 

[Dragonkaz]

Thanks for your help!

Any ideas of how much pulmice I should put in 1 kg of soap?

I have some green clay (French Argiletz). Would it be better to use some of this to either colour the soap, or swirl through it? I've read that I should use about 1 tbsp of the clay mixed in thinly traced soap, or less if I want to swirl.

Any ideas would be appreciated.

 

[Steph]

You could also use poppyseeds for an exfoliant. Oatmeal also works. I use 1 1/4 teaspoons poppyseeds for 40 ounces oils.

 

[Deda]

I like cornmeal in my gardening soap.

 

[soapbuddy]

Pumice soap seem to work the best on feet that are rough. I would add 2 tsp. of pumice to 1 kg. of soap.

 

[Elly]

I've used poppy seeds they work well, I've heard that cornmeal works really well I am yet to try it, you can also add oatmeal for its gentle exfoliation & soothing effect. It is ok to use more than one exfoliant just experiment and see what feels best for you. Go easy on the poppy seeds they can be a bit scratchy

 

[Bubbles Galore]

Yes, use the clay for colouring rather than the kelp. Kelp is nice just sprinkled on top for decoration if you like. :wink:

 

[Dragonkaz]

Thanks ... think I'll give the kelp a miss and try some clay instead.

I've just been reading about the CPOP method ... and I'm using silicon moulds ... so maybe it's time to give that a try.

I wasn't able to find poppy seeds or cornmeal at the supermarket ... so will stick with ground pumice for this experiment.

 

[nattynoo]

Let us know how u get on.

 

[Soaplady22]

I have used 1 oz pumice PPO with good results. Let the batter thicken some before adding as it will tend to settle out.

 

[Dragonkaz]

Gardener's Soap

Made 1 kg of 'gardener's soap' today ... and I was impressed at how much calmer I was this time. I think due to more research and getting great advice on this forum, this whole process is much easier.

The peppermint EO was very strong, so hope I didn't overdo that.

At this time ... I have two silicon loaf moulds of 'gardener's soap' under three towels ... till tomorrow ... and then I'll know how it looks and there'll be photos to share.

PS I added 10 gm of green french clay, 30 gm of ground pumice stone and 40 ml of peppermint EO ... and I didn't do CPOP ... kept to CP. 8)

 

[Dragonkaz]

I've happy with the 16 bars I'm now curing -

The colour and smell are both great!

What should I try next weekend ... maybe orange poppyseed ... 8)

 

[Guest]

They look neat. I like the grooves you made in some of them. Are they clear? Bless my aging eyes, but I couldn't see the pumice. Is it noticable?

 

[Dragonkaz]

Thanks!

I used green French clay, which has given them a 'green' hue. The pumice was finely ground, so you can't see it, but I cut a piece of the end ... and you can feel something a little different to the usual feel of soap ... the pumice. I'm not sure how effective it will be.

When it's cured, I'll use it after my hands have been out in my vegie garden for a few hours ... that will be a good test, especially if I've been working with my tomatoes.