Liquid soap

[Pawpaw]

I made my first batch of liquid soap using the glycerine method and it came out beautifully (whoop whoop). I have just one question. I used canola and coconut oil and the paste came out brown, a clear brown to be exact. Do different oils affect the final colour and if so what oils can make a more clear or much lighter colour? I don't know if I want ALL of my liquid soap to be a dark brown. Might be hard to colour

 

[FGOriold]

Yes, the oils will make a difference but I find using the glycerin method also creates a darker soap than using only water to dissolve your KOH.

 

[Pawpaw]

I didn't think the glycerine would also make a difference. I presume you know about the oils (I'm still learning). What oils would make a lighter colour, I don't mind if it's not see through clear but I really don't like the dark brown. Even light would be ok or off coloured. I can get most oils so choice isn't a problem. I haven't done 100% coconut as I think that might make a too cleansing oil.

 

[FGOriold]

I find that using 100% glycerin does make a darker soap, but others may not. I usually use 50% glycerin/50% water to get the benefits of the glycerin method without the high heat and mess. I have not used canola oil so I don't know how that would perform but would assume it would make a lighter soap. Coconut Oil, Olive Oil, Sunflower Oil, Castor Oil - all that I have used and using water, makes a light colored soap. How long did you cook your paste? I also find that a longer cook time can create a darker soap too. There are so many factors that go into making the soap paste, it is hard to say why yours came out dark brown. I only get that with Goat's Milk Soap.

 

[Pawpaw]

I cooked it for about an hour after trace. I'll try the 50/50 method next and some sunflower oil instead.
Another question: I know using 100% water take longer but would it make the paste lighter then if glycerine where used (I realize the oils would still have an effect).

 

[FGOriold]

To really see the differences, use the same formula and make it using water instead of glycerin and compare the two. Using water does take a bit longer for the formula to come to trace, BUT, that is also dependent on your oils. A formula with a high olive oil content can take a very long time to come to trace, those with more hard oils, go faster.

 

[Pawpaw]

Will do. Thank for your help !

 

[Susie]

If you absolutely have a problem with the color, substitute out some oils infused with some sort of colorant. I substitute paprika infused OO in some of my liquid soaps, I use varying amounts, but I can get from a light yellow to a rich red/orange if I use more. There are other herbs/spices you can infuse to get other colors. I just happen to use paprika to cook with, so I keep it on hand.

I don't know how hot you cooked that soap, or if you gave it a chance to get all the way to gel before starting dilution. I use a crock pot on low when I use glycerin to keep it from browning too much.