Milk differences

[Buttsmom]

I love Goat's Milk in soap. Haven't tried any others, but they are on my to do list. Do the different milks change the feel of the soap? Main reason I ask: I really want to make some soap tonight, but can't get any GM until tomorrow after work Can I just use the 2% in the fridge or will that effect the outcome?

 

[tryanything]

Darn it, my Milk Soapmaking book is still boxed up somewhere, otherwise I'd take a quick peak and let you know what it says. Me personally, I haven't noticed anything different between the milks I've used (coconut, goat & buttermilk). Overall milk soaps are creamy-er and have a lovely lather. I'm sure you can use the 2% though whole would probably be better, fat content wise.

 

[lsg]

I have never used goat's milk, always cow's milk or cow's cream. Your fat content might not be quite as much, but it still should turn out good.

 

[Paintguru]

I have never used goat's milk, always cow's milk or cow's cream. Your fat content might not be quite as much, but it still should turn out good.

So why is the "in" thing (well it seems like it is) goat's milk?

 

[lsg]

So why is the "in" thing (well it seems like it is) goat's milk?

Can't tell you that because I have always used cow's milk. We have our own milk cow, so I use what I have, and I have always loved it.:razz:

 

[jenneelk]

I know when researching recipes I had to change my calculations for my cream soap but with goats you just easily switch out the water for it.
Maybe goats is easier?
I know 'goats milk' the term is well known and likely another reason people stick with it today for the consumers sake.

In terms of consumption goats is gentler on the system and breaks down better (I always transitioned my kids to goats after their year or two of nursing). Causes the least digestive problems and not as harsh on tummy as cows can be.
Possibly this is the same for the skin also? Gentler I imagine.

 

[DeeAnna]

My opinion is that goat's milk is popular mostly because it's unusual, not because it makes better soap compared with cow's milk.

Anne Watson in her book Milk Soapmaking said her testers preferred soaps made from fluid milk over soaps made with powdered milk. But her testers did not show any preference for soaps made with goat's milk versus cow's milk. These were blind evaluations, so the testers didn't know what ingredients were in the soaps.

I have not made goat's milk soap, but I have used plenty of good goat's milk soap made by friends. I have made and used cow's milk soap. I like both and believe they are both mild to the skin. I can't say I have a strong preference of one over the other.

We have a little "micro dairy" in our county that makes pasteurized but not homogenized milk (also called "cream line" milk), cheese, and ice cream. This milk has outstanding flavor because the milk proteins have not been damaged by the homogenization process and the ice cream is to die for. I don't know if their milk really makes any better soap than milk from a regular dairy, but I like to promote and use this dairy's products any chance I get, so the WW Homestead Dairy's milk is my soaping milk of choice!

I've tried a few recipes using powdered milk and I tend to go along with Watson's observation that soap made with fluid milk is a little nicer -- smoother looking and creamier lathering -- than the same recipe with powdered milk. But I would use any kind of milk soap very happily.

 

[Ruthie]

I have only used cow's milk once, and it was low fat. I could not tell much difference between it and the non-milk soaps, but that may be because I am so accustomed to the lovely feel of the GM soaps. I do use fresh GM. I've used the powdered and it does not "feel" as lovely as the fresh. That reminds me! I made a "double milk" soap (added powder to fresh GM) which should be ready for a test run by now!

I think that full-fat cow's milk or cream would also feel lovely. It is mainly the extra fat that adds to the soap.

 

[Paintguru]

I think that full-fat cow's milk or cream would also feel lovely. It is mainly the extra fat that adds to the soap.

I figured this, along with the added sugars from the milk, were the main beneficiaries to the soap.

Do most people do recipe adjustment due to the fat addition from the milk, or do you just assume that it basically adds extra to the superfat % and move on?

 

[lsg]

I never make an adjustment whether I use milk or cream.

 

[DeeAnna]

"...Do most people do recipe adjustment due to the fat addition from the milk, or do you just assume that it basically adds extra to the superfat % and move on? ..."

I adjust. Others don't.

"Whole" milk (3.25% to 3.5% butterfat in the US) adds about 1% superfat to your recipe if you use milk as the entire amount of your liquid and ignore the butterfat.

 

[Cadienne]

Why goat's milk? Isn't it obvious? They're so darn cute!

 

[OliveOil2]

I have access to fresh goat milk, and use it often, I don't use cow milk as often but the only time I noticed a difference is when I used Bulgarian Buttermilk with a much higher fat content than regular buttermilk, it is also has more acidity than regular buttermilk. My soap turned out fine, but I notice that it took longer to firm up, and I did notice the increased fat when I used it.

 

[Buttsmom]

Thanks all. I didn't end up soaping last night anyways, but now I know I can use the cow's milk when I have the urge and don't have any goat's milk.

 

[nebetmiw]

Well, I make coconut milk soap. I have bought goat milk soap. When I get my own goats I will make goat milk too. I can not at this time give a accurate review as the goat milk was another recipe and it did not feel as good as my soap. Mainly because it had OO and I do not like OO in soap.

 

[Skatergirl46]

I have used GM twice so far. I just used it in place of half of the water. I didn't make any adjustments for the fat. Both batches came our great. I'll have to try it with cow's milk and se if I notice any difference.

 

[kazmi]

A question to those of you that use cream, do you use it as part of your lye/water or do you add it to your oils?

 

[kazmi]

Cadienne is that your cutie

 

[Candybee]

I've used goat milk, dairy cream, buttermilk, yogurt, coconut milk, soy milk, almond milk. I've used them fresh, canned, evaporated, condensed, powdered, etc. I prefer fresh milk whether goat, dairy or vegetable. But I can't tell the difference of the fresh or canned. I can sort of tell the difference when I use powdered and don't like it. The only 'milk' product I didn't care for was greek style yogurt. Made my soap cakey. I prefer regular plain yogurt instead, its creamy like milk and makes a creamy soap.

Goat milk is popular with my customers and some specifically ask for goat. I make more coconut milk as thats my staple milk soap so I sell more coconut. But I like to have a variety as my customers like that they can pick different milks. They always ask the difference and I tell them I can't tell the difference but that one is animal and the other is vegetable/fruit/nut.

 

[lsg]

A question to those of you that use cream, do you use it as part of your lye/water or do you add it to your oils?

When I use cream I subtract that amount from the water, but I add the cream at thin trace.