Lemon or Orange Oil?

[BakingNana]

I've been 'studying' soapmaking for a long time and FINALLY made my first CP last week. It turned out so great I'm stunned! Talk about beginner's luck, especially since I made an eight pound batch when every single book tells you not to for your first batch! Used Sweet Cakes bay rum cuz DH asked for it. Bars are curing now and I'm trying to work up the courage to zap test 'em.

At any rate, I'd like to make a citrus soap for the kitchen. I've used M&P and added dried basil and orange FO, and I like it a lot, but I'd much rather make it myself. Does anyone have experience with citrus EOs and how does the scent hold, and also can you use food grade orange oil or lemon oil that contains no alcohol in CP (which would certainly be cheaper tan EO!)? I only like citrus or spices in hand soap, cuz my skin is kind of sensitive in the bath. Would it be better to rebatch a pound or so of plain soap and add scent to it then? Any experince with grapefruit EO?

Advice would be appreciated!

 

[donniej]

Citruss scents don't stick around too long. Lemongrass works much better.

Between lemon, orange and grapefruit I think grapefruit holds up the best.

 

[hestia]

I agree, citrus is, well, flighty. The lemongrass suggestion is a good one. You can add a tiny bit of patchouly to anchor the citrus - it'll stick around a bit longer. Using the food grade oils won't hurt your soap, but it won't add much in the way of scent, didn't do a thing to help mine! I've never tried grapefruit.

 

[Guest]

I just did a lemon lime twist soap with eo's. The scents are not strong at all. I would use fo's next time. Eo's are not nearly as successful as fo's imho.

 

[BakingNana]

Thanks everyone!! Guess I won't waste my orange and lemon oils. The lemongrass idea sounds good. Do you have a favorite supplier? Also, thanks y'all for the heads up about citrus EOs. I don't mind using FOs since I really don't add scent for any particular 'therapy' or health benefits...I just like the STINK. 8)

Anyone else have favorite citrus FOs they particularly like? I didn't find in the 'rules' that we couldn't ask for specific brand recommendations, so hope this question is OK.

 

[Guest]

New directions has good eo's http://www.newdirectionsaromatics.ca/

HTH

Kitn

 

[BakingNana]

Thanks, I'll go right now and check it out. BTW, I LOVE your Avatar!!

 

[beautifulbay]

I agree with what was said, esp lemongrass...

Just wanted to add in that I have good experience with lime fragrance oils. It tends to be soooo fragrant that I have to use it in low doses.

 

[BakingNana]

Thanks, y'all!! Lemongrass and lime it is...

 

[MikeInPdx]

Can I add a suggestion?

Saveonscents lemon FO is very nice, true, and STRONG and lasts forever! Plus it's a bargain at about $10 for a 1 lb bottle.

 

[BakingNana]

oooooooohhhhh, sounds lovely! I do love lemon. I'll give them all a go. Hope my family doesn't mind testing a lot of lemon soap in about 2 months! Anyone ever tried the Lemon Lemon Lemon from Wholesale Supplies?