Castor

[golden_seal]

Is there any reason in particular that I always see castor oil at 5% in recipes?

 

[snappyllama]

It enhances the bubbles/lather from the other oils. It's noticeable at even 5%. Most folks don't do much higher than that, because it can make a too-soft or sticky finished bar.

 

[mymy]

Cartor oil is good to boost lather and bubbles. Appropriate amount will make the bar moist and nice to cut. Plus, it has lots of benefit especially for our hair.

 

[cmzaha]

If castor is used to high it can cause a sticky soap and it will also accelerate trace, but 5%-6% seems to be the sweet spot with adding support to the bubbly factor. I know some disagree about the acceleration but I have a slow trace recipe that I have varied the castor and there was quite a difference in tracing when using 3-5%. Castor itself does not make a high lather soap, but supports the lather from the bubble creating oils.

 

[golden_seal]

I was going to try 14% but now I'm not so sure, haha. I just want a good amount of bubbles.

 

[IrishLass]

I differ from the general norm in that I use 10.5% castor in my tallow/lard formula, and I use 10% in my 50% OO formula. For what it's worth, neither of them are sticky or soft, but much depends on the rest of one's formula. In my shaving soap/croap, I use 20% castor.


IrishLass

 

[SplendorSoaps]

I usually use castor oil at 5-10% in my recipes, and haven't had any of the stickiness that some report. It might have to do with the ratios of other oils that I'm using. It's definitely worth doing some experimenting!

 

[golden_seal]

Its interesting how you get so many different answers I ended up putting 8% in the recipe but won't find out how that works out for awhile yet because no time to make soap at the moment. Plus I just made 10lbs of soap these last couple days and I will be swimming in soap soon, lol.

 

[shunt2011]

I too use as much as 10% with no issues. A bit more in my shave soap. Castor doesn't really make bubbles but helps stabilize them. You could also add 1 tsp of sugar ppo into your water and dissolve before adding your lye.

 

[ngian]

I guess this post says it all http://www.soapmakingforum.com/showthread.php?p=501570#post501570

 

[HappyHomeSoapCo]

Yup, i go against the norm. I use 8-15% castor. But i also use high % of tallow & shea. I was told once that it's safe to go higher in castor when you have a high % of hard oils. Was that Irish Lass? I think so!

 

[IrishLass]

Yup, i go against the norm. I use 8-15% castor. But i also use high % of tallow & shea. I was told once that it's safe to go higher in castor when you have a high % of hard oils. Was that Irish Lass? I think so!

Yep- I resemble that remark.


IrishLass

 

[penelopejane]

Its interesting how you get so many different answers I ended up putting 8% in the recipe but won't find out how that works out for awhile yet because no time to make soap at the moment. Plus I just made 10lbs of soap these last couple days and I will be swimming in soap soon, lol.

I think you get so many variable answers because everyone has different skin and different likes and dislikes about the soap they like to use. Soap, it seems, is even more a matter of personal preference than food.

 

[IrishLass]

I think you get so many variable answers because everyone has different skin and different likes and dislikes about the soap they like to use. Soap, it seems, is even more a matter of personal preference than food.

This^^^^^^^!


IrishLass

 

[BakingNana]

Yep, count me in with the mavericks. Normal 7%, but some of my recipes range up to 20%. Never have had a stickiness issue.

 

[golden_seal]

I haven't tried my soap I made about a week ago with 14% yet. I will find out soon enough. Hopefully I will be able to make the recipe with 8% sometime next week.