Quote:
Do not store in plastic...I store in wooden crates.
Ask me again HOW I know!
Chlorophyll troubleshooting RAMBLINGS...
Here is what I did...
Soaped at 80 degrees...at trace I added a NEW essential oil from Essentail Wholesale (i have had trouble with some of their essentail oils....when soaping before) (eucalyptus spearmint) and 2 tbsp of liquid chlorophyll. I DID NOT insulate...and did
not use goatsmilk. I think the problem was the cooler temps personally....it did go thru gel...I actually watched it. But WHY would the lye separate only on the ends? I did not whisk this batch...so it would gel. I did not insulate either...so maybe that was my problem? I've never had this happen before...I did switch chlorophyll brands? Maybe something in the chlorophyll?? I do not insulate most of my batches...and have never had this problem. I think it was the chlorophyll. I usually USE a ton more of chlorophyll too...for a much darker OLIVE color.
So...I've got 2 new ingredients that I've used in this batch and it could have affected something...and I mixed at cooler temps. I think next time I'm going to add the chlorophyll into the lye/water since rebatching it did not change the bright green color....I added at trace because I was worried the lye would super heat it and if I was going to gel it would super heat it also AGAIN...and I wanted my color to stay intact. So if I add to the lye water right before mixing with oils....I might get a better result. Also...I poured the glycerin soap on top during the end of the gel stage...maybe that was it?????
OK...do not read this far please....ramble ramble ramble!!
It helps me work it thru in my head to post this!
I am betting it was the stirring ~ remember that first batch I posted? It had the very same issue in the very corners only. Also, I did not insulate with that batch at all, nor did I let it gel. I DID, however, take forever stirring in the eo's & the tea, and then again, the corners were where it was coolest, and it DID cool down somewhat quickly. I got the exact same sort of curdy cheesy soft greasy white stuff in my corners. Also, in adding my essential oils, I did add them beofre full trace, and it was after that that I added the teas in about 3 to 4 oz of water ~ I am now wondering if it was trying to superfat or something, but the lg amount of water inhibited that somehow. One thing though ~ it did not ruin the whole batch, it was only in the very corners, so I just trimmed it off.
lol ~ in fact, I thought that was the stuff I was supposed to make the soap balls from, but they sure the heck weren't sticking together too hot. So now I have these ugly soapballs in that 1st recipe, with white curdy crap on them. I wonder if I can remelt them, (rebatch?) & use them for something else? I did taste test them, and they didn't zing me, so it probably isn't an overabundance of lye, or lye pockets, anyway.
~Red
eta: pics of issue ~
I purchase these wooden crates from Michael's craft store....and layer the soaps in them. I usually try to package them right before sell/show....so the packaging is crisp.
