Rubbing some Fo straight on a made soap...

[Lin19687]

So elsewhere on the Interwebs I read someone that said they rub a bit of extra FO on the flat sides of their soaps to help the scent last.

I may be completely off here, but wouldn't you be a little concerned about that going directly on the skin ? Reaction issues is what I am thinking of.


yes/ no ?

 

[earlene]

I would if I were to use it right away, but how long before use (or sale) is this being done? And is it done before cure or after cure? Obviously done before wrapping (if this person wraps their soap). Another concern might also be with a discoloring FO, how it would look over time with an extra rub in just the center (or where ever); seems it would look like a dirty spot or maybe mess with pretty swirls.

How much would absorb into the soap and how long would that take?

Some FO's are safer at very high percentages, so for those, yeah, less of a problem. But the ones not safe at even the lower rates, not at all a good idea. No, I probably would not want to buy that soap if I knew that was the soap maker's practice. But I doubt they tell that to their customers.

 

[Arimara]

That is generally not an appealing practice IMO. I have family aside from myself who can react to things quickly and badly. If the said soaper did that with an FO that had ingredients that I would react to unless saponified, I'd be more than

 

[DeeAnna]

I have heard of putting some of the fragrance on a cotton ball and storing the ball in the same container with the matching bars of soap. That would have the benefit of adding a bit of scent to the packaging and any exposed surfaces of the soap without the concerns created by wiping the bars with the straight fragrance. I've never done this for soap, but I have used this idea to scent lingerie.

 

[penelopejane]

I’ve heard people put FO on their wrapping paper too.
Both are a bit dishonest IMO.

 

[Veggiebin]

Customers range from wanting no fragrance to strong fragrance. I think people should be able to determine how strong the bar will be before buying. That’s my opinion...

 

[DeeAnna]

I'm playing devil's advocate here -- I am not saying I agree with the practice of wiping the bars with FO, but I don't necessarily think the idea is dishonest or misleading. It could be, but not necessarily. Think about this --

Any soap bar that's been setting out in the open for even a few weeks won't smell as strong as it will when a person actually starts to use the soap. Some fragrance is lost from the surface of the soap over time. I'm not talking about bars that are ancient, just ones that have a few months of age on them.

So why shouldn't a soap maker take steps to offset the loss of scent from the surface of the bar? Why is that "dishonest?"

 

[penelopejane]

I'm playing devil's advocate here -- I am not saying I agree with the practice of wiping the bars with FO, but I don't necessarily think the idea is dishonest or misleading. It could be, but not necessarily. Think about this --

Any soap bar that's been setting out in the open for even a few weeks won't smell as strong as it will when a person actually starts to use the soap. Some fragrance is lost from the surface of the soap over time. I'm not talking about bars that are ancient, just ones that have a few months of age on them.

So why shouldn't a soap maker take steps to offset the loss of scent from the surface of the bar? Why is that "dishonest?"

I guess I feel that way because the scent doesn’t recover that much when the soap is used and also because the scent of unsaponified FO is different to fresh FO. Not just more powerful but different.

But that is just my opinion. Others may have a different opinion. You are free to do whatever you choose to do.

 

[DeeAnna]

Fair enough, Penelopejane. Thank you for sharing your point of view!

 

[cmzaha]

I happen to have a fragrance that is delicious, but never smells on the outside after cure, but actually clings to the skin upon use. I just poured a new batch and decided I would cut up some sachet paper and add a few drops then add it to the package. Most people I have talked into purchasing the soap with the promise of a replacement if the soap has no fragrance after use have come back to buy more. IL might know this fo Black Vetyver Cafe. I do not call it cheating just letting the customer know what the fragrance is

 

[penelopejane]

Fair enough, Penelopejane. Thank you for sharing your point of view!

I think I really meant misleading rather than dishonest.

 

[The Efficacious Gentleman]

I think that the reason for doing it would be the deciding factor in that. Picture a soaper looking like the villain in a 50's fantasy film saying "and if I rub some fo on the bars, the customers will believe that they smell stronger than they actually do! Imagine their faces after a few days when they don't smell any more.......but it's too late, I have their MONEY! Hee hee hee hee hee"

 

[Lin19687]

" rubbing a drop of fragrance oil on each side of the soap a day or two after i cut it, the soap soaks it up" Posted on June 12th

Sorry had to go look for the posting on the webs to figure out what they did. They are a very new selling soaper, April this year.

I am not sure when they sell it, but I am thinking I don't like that idea. A drop may be too much. If their postings are correct, they are selling around the 3 week mark. So really not sure why you need to do this to a young soap.
Why do you need to "spruce up ' the scent, is it not a good scent in general, not using enough?
Some Fo's smell so different, I would not like it to smell one way and then using it, it smells off.

I have no issue with putting a scent swatch in a box while your stuff if curing, even if it is storing in the selling package. When i just made those Salt Cakes, I wrapped in shrink wrap and can smell the plastic so overnight before the FM I put a paper towel with a drop or 2 of the scent so help get that plastic smell out. I didn't put the swatch near the soaps that day of selling.