Silk into the lye solution

[Aquarius]

Im about to try a batch of CP with silk, can someone point me to the right ratio of silk/water or however it is calculated??

 

[IrishLass]

When I add silk, I add a pinch that's about the size of 1/4 of a normal-size cotton ball for each pound of soap I make. In other words, if you take a cotton ball and cut it into 4 equal pieces, the amount of silk fibers I add would equal the size of one of those cut pieces. Not very scientific or precise, I know, but it works for me.

IrishLass

 

[WildcraftWorkshop]

Hmmm... I just got some silk cocoons and was planning to drop one into my lye solution then see how it goes from there.

 

[MsSharLee]

I don't use a specific ratio, I just cut off some fibers and throw them in my lye water after all the lye is dissolved ... once I have my oils ready they've usually broken down and mix right in. I usually make a 4 pound batch and my silk fibers are about the size of a cotton ball or a tad bit bigger.

 

[sudbubblez]

I have a lot of trouble dissolving silk for smaller batches. 1.5lb oil weight, seems they never dissolve but my regular 3.5 they liquify. I think they dissolve better while the lye is hot so I've taken to putting them in the water before incorporating lye.

 

[IrishLass]

I pull my hunk of silk fibers apart so that it looks like a wispy cobweb, and then I let it soak in my water for about 10 minutes before adding my lye. It really helps it to dissolve much better (and quicker!).

IrishLass