Shampoo bar questions

[Zing]

Trr-Drr! Mrs. Zing and I made our second batch of shampoo bars today! #CoupleProject. I felt more confident this time around. Weeks ago, I ran out of my first batch and could really tell the difference. I swim daily and the chlorine does a number on my scalp and what hair I have left. I noted a marked improvement with the shampoo bars.

I'm including a photo and will be the first to say, not getting an A for presentation! It's okay, they are just for personal use.

First, we used metal measuring cups for some of them but it was REALLY HARD to get them out. We tried tapping the cup with a knife handle and then had to dig them out with a butter knife. I did put one upside-down under hot water but it got pretty bubbly. What if I sprayed the measuring cup with Pam? Mrs. Zing, aka Betty Crocker, said the measuring cups are for the birds and said I'm just using my hands, like I'm making cookies. I like the "solid" look of the measuring cup and would like to keep using it.

Second, Mrs. Zing misread the recipe and put like a tablespoon of mica (Brambleberry, Evergreen, https://www.brambleberry.com/shop-b...4GGS-Sv6g6D4LBpAN4IQu_IRH6LMk2cpH7VyiSAxDYXND -- instead of a teaspoon -- for a 400 gram batch. Is that too much? (And I don't mean to throw her under the bus, but worried about too much colorant.)

And third, this batch isn't as smooth as the first, it looks more gloppy/air hole-y-er than the first. How can I get it to look more solid?

And fourth, any tips or tricks when using such minute amounts of ingredients? I frequently was over-pouring oat protein, panthenol, germall, etc. when the recipe called for 1-4 grams.

Thanks, Soap Peeps! "Preciatecha!

 

[dmcgee5034]

Congrats on the #coupleproject to you and Mrs Zing! Fun!
The only thing I could chime in with a suggestion on is the tiny amounts pouring and measuring. I have droppers for those situations instead of pouring.

 

[bookworm42]

Hurray on your second batch and finding something that helps you!
On to some hopefully helpful answers.

I like the "solid" look of the measuring cup and would like to keep using it.

How can I get it to look more solid?

To me these go hand in hand. I use a moon cake press or a bath bomb press. That helps them be solid and I can put a lot of pressure on them to get bubbles out. If you have a 3d printer or know someone who has one there's a free bath bomb press on thingverse that I like. For the bath bomb press you can coat with cornstarch or arrowroot powder to help it not stick. If you want clean up to be easy with a moon press and don't care amount the designs then you can cut and put parchment paper over the design for easier unmolding. (Might need one cut out for each bar depending on how sticky your recipe is)

tips or tricks when using such minute amounts of ingredients

I have a scale that measures .01g. the only downside is it maxes out at 500g. Often I put the bag/bottle on the scale, tare it, and take out until I reach the amount I need. (Learned that on SMF). Also like @dmcgee5034 I use 3ml pipettes for my liquids.

 

[DeeAnna]

I'd say your paste is a bit too cool and/or a bit too dry when you put the paste into your molds.

I use a sous vide method to make my shampoo bars -- where you put the ingredients in a heat-resistant plastic bag and heat the bag in a water bath. That lets me easily reheat the paste if it gets too cool and firm. It also minimizes water evaporation. I like how I can mush the paste through the bag so it doesn't make as much of a mess.

When the paste is done, I cut off a corner of the bag and pipe the paste into little molds. I have a couple of simple 6-cavity silicone molds that I use for this kind of thing.

I rap the molds on the counter after piping to settle the paste as best as possible. After cooling the mold in the fridge for a few hours or overnight, the bars pop out of the cavities pretty easily.

If you don't want to use silicone molds, you might look around for small plastic cups. The ones that Dannon yogurt come in would probably work. The plastic is flexible so the bars might pop out a bit easier.

 

[bookworm42]

I use a sous vide method

What temp do you put your sous vide at?

 

[AliOop]

Yay for shampoo bars!

I agree with @dmcgee5034's recommendation for droppers, or pipettes. I repurposed many of mine from old medicine bottles and the like.

 

[Misschief]

Thanks for the reminder. I have a couple of markets coming up and people have been asking for shampoo bars. I don't have any left, except for my personal stash.

I do like the shape in the measuring cup; I have one hint for ease of getting them out. Place your paste on plastic wrap and then press it into your mold of choice. I do that with my molds every time and it makes it SO much easier to unmold them.

As for overpouring and/or putting too much colour? Keep in mind that they're a wash out product. The ingredients aren't on your hair (or scalp) all that long. For personal use, I wouldn't be as concerned as I would be if they were for sale.

 

[ToniO]

If you have a 3d printer or know someone who has one there's a free bath bomb press on thingverse that I like.

Nice! My husband just got a 3D printer and I've been wondering how I can use it too!!
I second using plastic wrap. I have a couple of shampoo/bath bomb molds that work well with plastic wrap and some gentle hammering in lieu of an expensive press. If you wait until it's been in the freezer for a while, it will come off clean.
I could never get the right balance of cleansing for my hair tho (I swim and wash it every day) so I'm sticking with the co-wash.
I second droppers (plastic disposable or a sanitized glass droppers from old e/o bottles) or even stir stick straws with your finger on top can give minute amounts.

I use a sous vide method to make my shampoo bars -- where you put the ingredients in a heat-resistant plastic bag and heat the bag in a water bath. That lets me easily reheat the paste if it gets too cool and firm. It also minimizes water evaporation. I like how I can mush the paste through the bag so it doesn't make as much of a mess.

What an awesome idea! I'm going to have to try this!