How much Castor Oil ?

[Scotsoap]

What would be considered the ideal percentage of castor oil in a CP/HP recipe. Is there point where it becomes too much and results in a too sticky bar ?

 

[Guest]

Five percent is a good number. SoapCalc has castor rated as hardness zero. I'm sure that's a bit of an exaggeration and I doubt you'd be making liquid soap if you used just castor, but it's a soft oil and you'll probably make soft bars unless you keep it as a minor base oil.

Try 5% in a batch and see how you like it. If your experience is same as mine you'll probably be considering some castor in every batch. It's a great minor base oil!

 

[Scotsoap]

Thank you for your reply Lovehound. Not quite what I meant as I am not a novice, I should have been more specific

In the experience of our soapers is there a point you have gone beyond when adding Castor Oil that has resulted in a bar which is just too soft and doesnt harden ?

 

[Mandarin]

I have never experienced soap that does not harden. I experienced soap that had a very sticky and unappealing feel to it.

 

[Woodi]

I use 3 to 5% castor in my soap recipes. Beyond 10% the soap feels sticky to me. Castor is supposed to help retain scent in the soap too.

 

[Scotsoap]

Thanks Woodi Just what I wanted ...

 

[IrishLass]

In all of my recipes except for one, I use 10% or less. In the recipe that's the one exception, I use 23%. That particular recipe has a very high tallow amount, though. Surprisingly, there is no stickiness or softness to it at all, even though one would expect for there to be with 23% castor. It's a very nice, very hard bar that feels so velvety smooth, and it exhibits no tackiness at all. It's one of my 'keepers'.



IrishLass

 

[Scotsoap]

Thankyou Irishlass

 

[cdwinsby]

Me too! 10% is my benchmark as well. Except for my shampoo bar which has about 20% and is softer.

 

[Woodi]

Wonder if it would work with lard as well as tallow? I can get lard easily.

 

[Soapmaker Man]

Jeff, I've heard of people using up to 20%. :shock: I have only used up to 10% a few times. My most favorite recipe now has no Castor in it. I do add a bit of sugar and salt solution. Yup, 4 to 6% is what I have used in the past when I used it all the time. I use 7% in my salt bars.

Paul :wink:

 

[Guest]

Castor contributes something that I haven't seen in any other popular base oil: ricinoleic acid. I haven't checked that no other oils have it, but of the oils I stock only castor has ricinoleic. I believe this fatty acid is responsible for castor's popular lathering and conditioning characteristics.

 

[Soapmaker Man]

Castor contributes something that I haven't seen in any other popular base oil: ricinoleic acid. I haven't checked that no other oils have it, but of the oils I stock only castor has ricinoleic. I believe this fatty acid is responsible for castor's popular lathering and conditioning characteristics.

That is correct Greg. Only castor has that particular fatty acid. It does contribute to lather. :wink:

Paul

 

[Guest]

It's good to know. I spreadsheeted the oils I have on hand, and only Castor has that. Good thing I learned how to spreadsheet, eh?

 

[CiCi]

I use 3 to 5% castor in my soap recipes. Beyond 10% the soap feels sticky to me. Castor is supposed to help retain scent in the soap too.

I generally soap between 6% & 9%, but I tried 10%, today. I won't go over that. It will be interesting to see how the bars turn out. Up to 9% has been okay, so far.