Soap Makers Help!

[dun chick]

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OK, good to know. Thanks. I didn't end up ordering today from TNS. I put everything in my cart and registered, but then it wouldn't let me go any further. Clearly other people have had similar problems because they address it in their FAQ section, but I couldn't get it to work and had to give up because I had to be somewhere. I may call them tomorrow, but I definitely found it VERY annoying!

I ordered trom texas and supply last week and did not have a problem. Maybe it just was a glitch in their system that day. I ordered the rose koalin(sp?) clay, calendula powder and some blue violet leaf powder. I can't wait to use the rose clay, I only ordered four 0z and really it is a good bit of clay, sure it will give several batches of soap.
I want to make my lavender soap a little more blue, what do you suggest. Prefer a natural clay or something similar. I may have to stick with my white soap.

 

[Morgaine]

you can achieve different levels of blue/purple by using alkanet root powder, either as an infusion or adding the powder straight. The lower the ph, the bluer your soap will be, the higher the ph the redder your soap. As far as clays being blue, it seems like I read about a blue aussie clay, but I'm not real sure about that. I think blue chamomile will also give you a blue. I'm at my parents house so I don't have all my notes about colorants in front of me. I think indigo powder will also give a blue, but I haven't tried that yet I seem to remember that it fades a lot in soap.

HTH

 

[Morgaine]

Ok, it looks like New Directions Aromatics has Aussie Blue clay, but it's more of a soft gray blue instead of true blue. Here is the link.

http://www.newdirectionsaromatics.c....html?osCsid=b0420b125dbd32bb643a8eaf89f3cde8

And it was Blue Chamomile essential oils that will give some blue to soap.

 

[Backyard Buddies]

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The TSC recipe has jojoba in it, which you've said you may have some sensitivity to. All the other ingredients are oils you're currently using, except perhaps wheat germ oil. But, as you've realized with your own soap making, things can often be adjusted. I'll have to check out teach soap as well.

 

[NanaKat]

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I had a batch of soap so hard I couldn't cut it my regular way. Hubby ended up taking it out to the barn and actually cut the log of soap with the electric band saw!!!!! That batch had green tea as the liquid. go figure.

 

[havi]

Can i use an enamel pot to do the soap? If not what should i use?

 

[cheeptrick]

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Depends on the linoleic oil and the other oils used ... I use 15-20% of Safflower (one of the higher linoleic oils) and have not experienced DOS... I also have a hefty amount of lard and palm kernel oils (50-60%).

I have also noticed that when I use oatmeal or HONEY in the recipe...or natural beeswax...I have a higher instance of DOS. I speculate that it might be the gelling/heating of the additives that causes the DOS. ??? Interesting to know that about oils...I have used almost every oil on the charts...but stick to the base recipe of olive, coconut, palm and super fat with others or discount the olive oil and replace with other oils. Never do I discount the coconut or palm oils. Interesting...I have not had DOS in years. I LIKE to avoid it!!

 

[Morgaine]

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I use enamel stock pots, it's fine.

 

[Backyard Buddies]

I got my TNS issue straightened out yesterday. Very nice folks over there! I ordered two clays - pink and yellow, and three herbs - comfrey, alkanet, and yellow dock. I also placed a Camden Grey order - lavender 40/42 (always a great seller), lemon verbena (my best seller), and rose petals. The rose petals smells a bit sweet for my taste, but it sold really well and I've been getting requests for it. I'm going to color it with the pink clay that I'm getting from TNS.

CG no longer carries the apple jack & peel that I ordered before. Can you guys recommend one that you like?

 

[havi]

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I use enamel stock pots, it's fine.

Okay thanks. I was at a garage sale and found a brand new one super cheap. I love having the internet on my phone, it really helps in times like that.