Hello!
I am new to soap making and tonight I ran into an unforeseen issue. I was experimenting with making a coffee soap. I used distilled water to brew the coffee and let it cool in the fridge for a few hours. Then I added my lye and warmed up my oils. My lye coffee and melted oils were mixed together when both solutions were between 120F and 130F. As I was stirring I mixed in .33oz clove leaf essential oil. Once the essential oil was completely mixed (about 2-3 minutes total of stir time) my soap completely seized up and became the consistency of paraffin wax. The mixture also heated up considerably. I have attached my recipe and images of the essential oil (which I feel may have been the culprit), and of the seized mixture. I would greatly appreciate any feedback!
Thanks!
Note: I rounded the amount of coffee used to 14oz.
I am new to soap making and tonight I ran into an unforeseen issue. I was experimenting with making a coffee soap. I used distilled water to brew the coffee and let it cool in the fridge for a few hours. Then I added my lye and warmed up my oils. My lye coffee and melted oils were mixed together when both solutions were between 120F and 130F. As I was stirring I mixed in .33oz clove leaf essential oil. Once the essential oil was completely mixed (about 2-3 minutes total of stir time) my soap completely seized up and became the consistency of paraffin wax. The mixture also heated up considerably. I have attached my recipe and images of the essential oil (which I feel may have been the culprit), and of the seized mixture. I would greatly appreciate any feedback!
Thanks!
Note: I rounded the amount of coffee used to 14oz.
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