Recent content by Paula58

Off hand it sounds like a case of accelerated trace due to the sugars in the milk and the orange essential oil. When making milk soaps some people dissolve the lye in water then add the milk just as the lye and oils start to trace. Keep in mind you do not want a water/lye concentration...

Thanks so much Wayne. That explanation helps alot.

Those are beautiful. And I am drooling over your mold. What are the mold dimensions? I have been trying to come up with the correct size mold for a 1 inch bar and from what you wrote on the side of your mold I think what you have would be perfect.

African or European ice cube? Argghhhh!!!!

I suggest you go with a smaller batch size next time. That way if you do have problems not so much goes to waste. And the most reliable way to tell if your soap is o.k. is still the tongue test. (unless you have a PH meter) Wet your finger moisten the soap then lick your finger. You should...

We would need more information such as recipe, the procedure you followed, soaping temps and any fragrance or essential oils used. But off hand I am going to guess your problem was caused by overheating.

Awi, that does make more sense. Just be extra careful that the lye is full dissolved into the goats' milk. I would even give it some bursts with the stick blender and strain it when adding the solution to the oils.

Awi, This part of your post set off alarm bells. "..was recently told that you could add just enough water with your lye to get a thin paste." The strongest lye solution you should ever attempt is 50% or equal parts lye and water (or other liquid). Anything stronger and the lye will not...

ycartf is correct. Sodium hydroxide whether in solid form or in a solution is a corrosive and the best way to remove it from our skin is by flushing the area with water. This also is the standard response if you get some in your eye. Flush for appx 15 minutes then go to the E.R. And by flush...

The MSDS for sodium hydroxide says to flush with water should you get lye on your skin or in your eyes. I think the time is about 15 minutes. If you get any in your eyes flush with water and then go to the E.R. Do not use vinegar.

P.H. strips do work but not for solid soap. Unless you make a solution of distilled water and the soap you will get an inaccurate reading. And even a solution is not going to be precise. The best test for lye heaviness is the zap test. Just wet a spot of soap then rub it with your finger...

If your products contain essential oils "Contains essential oils, if you are under the care of a physician please consult with him before use." Also "contains fragrance or essential oils babies and young children may be sensitive to their use." My other warnings are: "Ingredients and/or...

A lot of people do not let their milk soaps gel because it can reach a stage of overheating very fast if you don't keep an eye on it. And very fast means I just poured this a few minutes ago and the thing is already reaching gel stage. If you let the soap gel keep an eye on it and keep it...

If you show your recipe in weights including weight of the lye, it might help someone figure out what happened. Since it is crumbly and does zap I think you probably can count this as a #$*&* batch.

I would not use Crisco in a shampoo bar. My husband and I use my Carrot, Buttermilk & Oat bar to wash our hair. It is made with 80% Olive and High Oleic Sunflower oils. With the rest Rice Bran, Pumpkin Seed, Castor oils and Kokum Butter. It may be the carrots, oats and buttermilk that...