Um, unexpected effect

[Badger]

I would make the decision on how much essential oil to add to next batch after it has had a chance to sure some. I know for myself that I like strong scents and that isn't for everyone, but I also notice that for some scents that they fade a fair amount during the curing process.

 

[CFarmerlady]

It's already gotten milder just since I posted this morning. I wouldn't have even added a scent, but DH didn't like the olive oil scent from my last batch. Since it was his only complaint, I tried to remedy it. That one was olive and lard, a lot whiter.

I think my next one needs to be peanut oil. I'm definitely going to be able to produce peanut oil on my farm, so I want to see how soap with it and maybe lard will be. Peanut oil is expensive, but I could do a small batch.

 

[soap_bubbles]

A good rule of thumb for EO's is .7 oz per pound of soap. The scent isn't too strong but not so light either that you are not really sure if you smelled anything or not! This is what I use for my soap and I find it to be a good level. FO's on the other hand, need a full oz per pound at least, depending on what you are going for.

 

[VanessaP]

A good rule of thumb for EO's is .7 oz per pound of soap. The scent isn't too strong but not so light either that you are not really sure if you smelled anything or not! This is what I use for my soap and I find it to be a good level. FO's on the other hand, need a full oz per pound at least, depending on what you are going for.

Untrue, or you have been using some really really weak FOs to begin with. I make CP with 0.5 oz ppo with several FOs and they're still bordering on almost too strong. Most people recommend using 0.7 oz ppo to start out with for most FOs in CP to start with then adjust up or down depending on results. 0.7oz is approximately a 4.5% usage rate. I made a soap with 1 oz ppo for one FO and it didn't need the over 6% usage.

EOs have different usage rates, depending on the oil. 0.7 oz ppo of 3x Cornmint would make peoples' head explode with how strong it is. You would never ever want to use 0.7 oz ppo cinnamon in soap. All the soapers that I know that use EOs use them at 2 to 3% in soap, at most. That works out to 0.32 to 0.48 oz per pound of oil. Now, that being said, unfolded citrus tend to be used at 0.7 oz ppo because of the fact they tend to fade quickly but in general, other EOs are used at the 0.3-0.5 oz ppo.

The rule of thumb is half as much EO as you would use of FO.

 

[Hazel]

Vanessa - Good points!

I use EOs at .5 oz ppo or less depending on the EOs. I feel comfortable about using lavender at .5 oz but other EOs which can be irritating I use at a lower percentage. Occasionally, I have used FOs at 1 oz ppo but these were very light scents. I normally use FOs between .3 oz up to .8 oz ppo depending on the strength of the FO and the recommended maximum usage level. I think the maximum usage level is something which people tend to ignore with FOs. One of the things I like about Nature's Garden is they list recommendations on their site. It's interesting to see the recommended percentages and I have to admit I was surprised when I saw one FO was listed at 3% for soap. Also, I don't like to use more FO than is necessary for a good scent if I don't have to since I consider it a waste of money. Yeah, I'm just cheap that way.

 

[melstan775]

Hmmm, I find even using 1 oz ppo to be weak. Either my fragerences are weak or my nose doesn't work!

Not all of them. Some are strong, but most are lightweight.

 

[jcandleattic]

Hmmm, I find even using 1 oz ppo to be weak. Either my fragerences are weak or my nose doesn't work!

Not all of them. Some are strong, but most are lightweight.

Are you buying quality fragrance, from reputable suppliers? I find I rarely need more than .7 oz ppo if that and use only about .5 most of the time.
My main suppliers are Peak and Nature's Garden and there are very few scents from either place I use a full 1oz ppo of.

 

[jcandleattic]

Vanessa - Good points!

I use EOs at .5 oz ppo or less depending on the EOs. I feel comfortable about using lavender at .5 oz but other EOs which can be irritating I use at a lower percentage. Occasionally, I have used FOs at 1 oz ppo but these were very light scents. I normally use FOs between .3 oz up to .8 oz ppo depending on the strength of the FO and the recommended maximum usage level. I think the maximum usage level is something which people tend to ignore with FOs. One of the things I like about Nature's Garden is they list recommendations on their site. It's interesting to see the recommended percentages and I have to admit I was surprised when I saw one FO was listed at 3% for soap. Also, I don't like to use more FO than is necessary for a good scent if I don't have to since I consider it a waste of money. Yeah, I'm just cheap that way.

Not cheap!!! Economic!! There is a difference! LOL

 

[Hazel]

You never want to judge a scent by your nose. What smells weak to you may be irritating to skin if you used a higher percentage to make it smell "strong". Also, your olfactory receptors can become overloaded so scents don't smell as strong as they really are or they can become so overloaded you can't smell anything at all. I recently read a tutorial where the person wrote to scent the soap based on how it smelled to the reader. I thought "There's a problem waiting to happen". :roll:

If you want to use FOs at 1 oz ppo or higher, then that's your decision but I would suggest being very careful about who you give your soap to for feedback. I was given some soap which had so much FO in it that it irritated my skin. Not everyone has sensitive skin but I have found over time and numerous batches that a high percentage of FO isn't really necessary if you're using quality FOs. It's also good to experiment with different percentages to find the amount needed for individual FOs. Why use more than is needed?

eta: That's right! Not cheap - just frugal.

 

[SoapPapaw]

I got some 1 oz samples FOs from NG and found about 1 oz ig good for 20-26 oz of oil.

 

[MaitriBB]

Also you shouldn't go above the manufacturer's recommendation for usage in soap. If the manufacturer recommends a maximum of .7% PPO, and you use more than that, you could be creating a soap that could irritate someone's skin or worse. Most reputable manufacturers will give you a recommended usage for the FO.

 

[Hazel]

I got some 1 oz samples FOs from NG and found about 1 oz ig good for 20-26 oz of oil.

That works out close to what I would use except I'd use slightly less for 20 oz. I might use from .6 oz up to .8 oz of FO in 20 oz depending upon the strength of the scent. For 26 oz to 32 oz, I'd use 1 oz to 1.2 oz of FO unless it was Peak's Black Canyon. I'd use a lot less of it.