Hello lovely soapers,
I recently had a few batches of soap get DOS (they truly are dreadful!) and while I know that I accidentally used a *very* old castor oil in those batches, I'm still not 110% sure that there wasn't something else going on. After chatting with some of the experienced soapers here (thanks @DeeAnna !), I decided to order some rosemary oleoresin extract (ROE) and sodium gluconate (SG) to use as more "natural" options for an antioxidant and chelator, respectively. I've reviewed Kevin Dunn's article on DOS and also the two articles about ROE and SG on DeeAnna's website (ROE - https://classicbells.com/soap/ROE.asp ; SG - https://classicbells.com/soap/sodiumGluconate.asp). I feel fairly confident with my plan but would love to run it by the forum to make sure I am set up for success.
***ROE questions***
The ROE I purchased from WSP is 7% carnosic acid. Per DeeAnna's website and the Kevin Dunn article, recommended usage rates are between 0.02% - 0.1% per pound of FATS. I plan to go in the middle and use 0.05% ROE per pound of oils.
I have bulk olive, avocado, and castor oils that are already opened. My understanding is that the hard oils (coconut, Shea butter, etc.) do not need ROE mixed in. Without pouring the liquid oils out and measuring how much is left in each container (which I'd prefer not to do since I'm trying to decrease all possible avenues for contamination), I don't have a good way of knowing the exact weight of the oil I have remaining. I saw that you can add ROE to the liquid oils before adding lye while making an individual batch, but I'm typically making 2# batches that are only about ~1000g and I don't have a scale that can read down to 0.5g (1000g oil x 0.05% = 1000g x 0.0005 = 0.5g ROE). It is also my understanding that adding too much ROE can actually increase the risk of oxidation and worsen DOS, so I want to avoid that possibility at all costs!
How would you proceed? Would you pour out the remaining bulk oils to add the ROE and then put them back in their containers? Or if you were going to add ROE while making an individual batch, do you calculate the 0.05% based only on the liquid oil weight (if hard oils and butters like coconut and Shea don't necessarily need it)? If adding ROE while making an individual batch, any tips for measuring out such a small amount (I typically make batches with 2# oils, or 907g total oils > 0.05% of 907g is only 0.45g!).
***SG usage***
I feel like SG is more straightforward. Mine is Crafter's Choice purchased from WSP. Per DeeAnna's website, SG powder is used at 0.5-1% of TOTAL batch weight, so 5-10 grams per 1000g batch weight. The powder is mixed into any water-based liquid (lye water, extra distilled water, etc.) and may cause slight discoloration of the batter after the lye is added (which shouldn't last).
Does this look correct?
I realize the beginner's forum may not be the best place for this post but figured there may be others interested in the topic. I know there are lots of other posts out there on similar topics so thank you in advance to anyone able to offer their advice!
PS: For labeling purposes, I would assume that SG and ROE would be the very last items on the labels since they are used in such small amounts... correct?
I recently had a few batches of soap get DOS (they truly are dreadful!) and while I know that I accidentally used a *very* old castor oil in those batches, I'm still not 110% sure that there wasn't something else going on. After chatting with some of the experienced soapers here (thanks @DeeAnna !), I decided to order some rosemary oleoresin extract (ROE) and sodium gluconate (SG) to use as more "natural" options for an antioxidant and chelator, respectively. I've reviewed Kevin Dunn's article on DOS and also the two articles about ROE and SG on DeeAnna's website (ROE - https://classicbells.com/soap/ROE.asp ; SG - https://classicbells.com/soap/sodiumGluconate.asp). I feel fairly confident with my plan but would love to run it by the forum to make sure I am set up for success.
***ROE questions***
The ROE I purchased from WSP is 7% carnosic acid. Per DeeAnna's website and the Kevin Dunn article, recommended usage rates are between 0.02% - 0.1% per pound of FATS. I plan to go in the middle and use 0.05% ROE per pound of oils.
I have bulk olive, avocado, and castor oils that are already opened. My understanding is that the hard oils (coconut, Shea butter, etc.) do not need ROE mixed in. Without pouring the liquid oils out and measuring how much is left in each container (which I'd prefer not to do since I'm trying to decrease all possible avenues for contamination), I don't have a good way of knowing the exact weight of the oil I have remaining. I saw that you can add ROE to the liquid oils before adding lye while making an individual batch, but I'm typically making 2# batches that are only about ~1000g and I don't have a scale that can read down to 0.5g (1000g oil x 0.05% = 1000g x 0.0005 = 0.5g ROE). It is also my understanding that adding too much ROE can actually increase the risk of oxidation and worsen DOS, so I want to avoid that possibility at all costs!
How would you proceed? Would you pour out the remaining bulk oils to add the ROE and then put them back in their containers? Or if you were going to add ROE while making an individual batch, do you calculate the 0.05% based only on the liquid oil weight (if hard oils and butters like coconut and Shea don't necessarily need it)? If adding ROE while making an individual batch, any tips for measuring out such a small amount (I typically make batches with 2# oils, or 907g total oils > 0.05% of 907g is only 0.45g!).
***SG usage***
I feel like SG is more straightforward. Mine is Crafter's Choice purchased from WSP. Per DeeAnna's website, SG powder is used at 0.5-1% of TOTAL batch weight, so 5-10 grams per 1000g batch weight. The powder is mixed into any water-based liquid (lye water, extra distilled water, etc.) and may cause slight discoloration of the batter after the lye is added (which shouldn't last).
Does this look correct?
I realize the beginner's forum may not be the best place for this post but figured there may be others interested in the topic. I know there are lots of other posts out there on similar topics so thank you in advance to anyone able to offer their advice!
PS: For labeling purposes, I would assume that SG and ROE would be the very last items on the labels since they are used in such small amounts... correct?
