ingredient question... the extras

[Jola]

Sorry if this is a "stupid" question. I haven't even made my first batch yet but I have a feeling once I get the basic method down I'm going to want to experiment.

So my question is can you add kind of what ever you want to soap?

I've seen some blips about using beer instead of water. Is this always safe? Could there be a weird chemical reaction if you used a dark or a light beer?

Also, are fruits ok? Like, could I puree avocado and add that or is it better to use avocado oil?

Has anyone made any using rice? I'm a rice addict (strange, I know). While I'm aware it might not add anything really beneficial I wonder if I could add some rice or some ground up rice or rice milk to the recipe.

Any input would be much appreciated! Like I said, sorry if this is a moronic type question, I'm still learning.
Ok, off to read some more!

 

[Guest]

Keep in mind that fruits like avocado and other foods can go bad in soap, just as they can on their own. You don't want soap with rotten bits of fruit in it!

 

[rszuba]

ooowww, i would like to try rice milk. there are a lot of facial products out with rice in them. i would google and study up. maybe make your own rice milk.

 

[Imblebee]

I made a soap with Guinness in place of water yesterday... Not sure if it's the lard or what, but man, it's stinky... I know some people have had fantastic luck with beer. Perhaps I need to let mine mellow for a few weeks before I judge.

I say go for the beer, make sure it's flat. Boil the bejeezus out of it and soap on!

 

[Guest]

I made a soap with Guinness in place of water yesterday... Not sure if it's the lard or what, but man, it's stinky... I know some people have had fantastic luck with beer. Perhaps I need to let mine mellow for a few weeks before I judge.

I say go for the beer, make sure it's flat. Boil the bejeezus out of it and soap on!

Interesting..... Guiness is pretty dark and thick so I'd imagine there might be a lot going on in the lye reaction..... so why beer? Does it provide any specific benefits in the soap?

 

[TheGardener]

I make a soap with pureed cucumber in it. I use it as part of my water solution. I've never had trouble with it going bad.

 

[MikeInPdx]

If your soap's extras are well-pureed, they won't go bad.

I have used coffee and tea to make my lye water before.....they both make nice, special soap......as do milks......although you have to take extra care so milks don't scorch. There are several threads here you can search.

The rice would probably boost lather because of the starch in it.....starch breaks down into sugar......just make sure you keep an eye on it so it doesn't overheat.....I think it would be like milk and honey soaps in that respect.

And, please do yourself a favor......do at least a few uncolored, unscented batches before you start experimenting. That way, you will know what trace looks like, how it's supposed to gel, or not gel, and when to take it out of the molds.