Unusual liquid soap suspension question

[Geiger]

First off, I know nothing about soap making - other than what Fight Club taught us all in 1999.
So I'm hoping somebody knowledgeable might be able to help me out.

I've got 800mL of store-bought liquid dish soap (Palmolive) and I'd like to find a way to thicken it so that I can permanently suspend green glow-in-the-dark powder within it - kind of like how liquid hand soaps sometimes suspend microbeads. Something that results in either a -very- slowly separating suspension, or maybe a colloid.

I've done some internet searching and haven't found much ...which makes me think maybe this isn't possible.
I tried adding salt, with mixed results, but it makes the soap opaque. I'd like to find a solution that retains clarity so the phosphorescent powder can charge better in light. Adding salt and green food coloring made it successfully suspend for several days, but it seems to have now completely coagulated and has started to turn orange/red for some reason; maybe due to something in the food coloring.

'Crothix Liquid' seems like it might be an idea, but since I'm ignorant of soap making, I'm hesitant to start buying random chemicals without a recommendation.

I should probably note- this won't be used as an actual soap product. It's for personal permanent display inside a sealed glass container. And I'd prefer to retain some fluidity and not go completely stiff gel.

Any ideas?

 

[Geiger]

Not a single suggestion or idea on how to thicken or suspend something in liquid soap...?

 

[AliOop]

Sorry, most of us here make lye-based liquid soap.

Palmolive dish "soap" is not a true soap, as that word is defined scientifically. It is a cleanser made from synthetic detergent (syndet) ingredients. It's unlikely that many if any of us on this forum make liquid syndets.

I'd recommend contacting the distributor or manufacturer of Crothix to see if they have any suggestions for you.

 

[Mobjack Bay]

I'm no expert, but I would try searching for ways to thicken liquid syndet shampoo. As I understand it from limited research, there are a lot of variables involved in getting the right viscosity when thickening liquid detergent and traditional liquid soap.

 

[Geiger]

I knew there was a difference, but I guess I didn't realize it was that large of a difference. Thanks for the tip. 'Syndet' was not a term I came across in my searches, so maybe that'll help get me closer to an answer.

 

[AliOop]

@Mobjack Bay you just made me realize that a good source for this kind of info might be SwiftCraftyMonkey.blog/blog/. Lots of information is behind the paywall, but even a $1 monthly subscription unlocks a lot of good stuff. The format can make it difficult to follow the trail, but if nothing else, there could be some ingredient suggestions. Chemist's Corner might be another resource.

 

[squidstings]

Have you tried the salt method of thickening?

I also have issues with my search results not containing answered to MY question.

For example, I wanted to know how to make "KOH Glycerine soap". All my search results (across multiple platforms) were only about adding it to melt and pour. Months later, when I was looking up essential oils, I came across a post titled "KOH Glycerine soap". EXACTLY what I typed in the search engine. (Now you know how g@@gle gets to claim so many "Individual searches" lol)

Years after I failed to find an answer to the exact question you're asking, even getting the same kind of results on forums like this. I'm currently trying to understand how I got an emulsification or colloid, but only got a response explaining solids so far.

I haven't done any experimentation, but apparently, it's as simple as adding salt water. Different salts can be used. But adding "Salt" and "Method" to your search inputs might help you

 

[squidstings]

Found a suggestion. On a cooking tips site. Copied, but the clipboard forgot...

Xanthan gum. dilute in warm water first, but will not affect the scent.

 

[squidstings]

I always try to share everything I know. No selfish gatekeeping of my knowledge. Unfortunately, this is not always the case with others.

The salt thickening method I've mentioned a few times is only useful during saponification. I knew it would work that way, but it was Not included in the answer to my question.

Xanthan gum doesn't seem to work on soap or detergents that I could experience. Just turns into a big gel like clot.

Hope I didn't cause much in the way of wasted resources.

I wonder if some people feel special keeping info to themselves. Maybe gives them a sense of being one of the elites. Or they literally enjoy watching people fail. Selfish!

Sorry for passing on bunk.

 

[AliOop]

I always try to share everything I know. No selfish gatekeeping of my knowledge. Unfortunately, this is not always the case with others.

I wonder if some people feel special keeping info to themselves. Maybe gives them a sense of being one of the elites. Or they literally enjoy watching people fail. Selfish!

I'm guessing you are referring to other sties? I don't see much if any information withholding here, with a small exception for people who sell not always sharing their exact recipe (which doesn't bother me at all).

But I haven't noticed anyone on SMF withholding information about procedures, ingredients, or troubleshooting. I do believe that's why we have so many members, and many of us consider one another to be friends.

In this case, the original post was asking about how to thicken syndet liquid detergent, which is chemically very different from true liquid soap. A few of us gave the best answers we could based on our limited knowledge of syndet liquids. So, even when we don't know much, we do our best to share info and point people towards resources. I love that about SMF!