Midnight Blue

[AK_Homesteaders]

I don't usually use colorants, but I was thinking of an exception for one soap. I'd like a midnight blue. I was thinking I could add charcoal to make it a deeper shade, but I'm not sure what to use for the blue? I'd like it to be natural, if possible. Would dried blueberries work? I'm guessing they'd make purple if anything.

Thank you,

Jenny

 

[topcat]

Jenny, I believe that most botanicals and fruits turn brown in soap, sorry! The charcoal used in quite small amounts will give a shade of grey through to black depending on how much you use. Alkanet Root Powder will give you a colour from deep purple to a muted blue and even a reddish purple depending on the pH of your soap. Here is a link to a little more information from one of my suppliers:-

http://www.aussiesoapsupplies.com.au/Al ... r-439.html

I have also found a pic of some soap coloured with this:-

http://learn2soap.com/?page_id=16

If you use 1 tsp ppo of the activated charcoal you will achieve black, so less will give you a lighter shade. Sorry I am not more help....hopefully someone who knows more about botanical/natural colouring in soap will come along soon.

Tanya

 

[IrishLass]

Activated charcoal mixed with ultramarine blue.

IrishLass

 

[rszuba]

i haven't bought any yet, but i am dieing to try indigo for a blue color.

 

[AK_Homesteaders]

Thank you very much. I've used charcoal alone for the effect rather than the color, so I was thinking it might help darken a blue dye. From your suggestions, sounds like it will do just that. I'll look into the other suggestions and do some test batches.

Thank you all, again,

Jenny

 

[Guest]

I just made a salt bar using alkanet for color , right now it is a gorgeous midnight blue.

Kitn

 

[rubato456]

alkanet

i read in the soup maker's companion that alkanet is a great thing to use.....if the soap is alkanine the color will be blue, if the ph is more acidic it will color purple/reddish. it's a natural litmus paper of sorts!

 

[AK_Homesteaders]

I'd love to try alkanet. Never thought of trying it in a salt bar. Would you mind telling me about how much you use per pound to get a midnight blue? I'll probably order some ultramarine at the same time and try both in small batches. If I like ultramarine better, would 1 ounce be enough to color 10 pounds really dark (adding a little charcoal)?

Thanks,

Jenny

 

[Guest]

I just used about 2 tsps for a 4 pound batch , you can gauge your color as you mix it with water (mine looked almost purple black).maybe start with 1 tsp and add a little a time until it is what you want .It does lighten up a little.I will post some pics of my 2 alkanet soaps .

It is very messy stuff , apron , gloves, newspaper covered table are all good things,(god I sound like Martha Stewart) although it did come out of my sweatshirt ( used my homemade laundry soap )lol. I had it all over me and a friend came over I am sure she wondered what kind of horrific crime I might have committed earlier in the day.

HTH
Kitn