How to use Essential Oil in soap.

[42things]

I'm going to make a patchouli vanilla soap.

I heard patchouli sticks well and I'm going to soak my vanilla beans in the patchouli oil for a couple months before I use it.

When do I add this oil? And how much do I add?

 

[Jerry S]

soaking your beans

Experiment.....

 

[42things]

I see

thanks for nuthin'

just kidding... I'm getting that drift!

I guess by the time I'm happy with it it'll really be my own baby huh?

 

[krissy]

it depends on how you are making soap. for HP I'd do it after the cook, for CP I'd throw it in with all my oils...

i would love to hear how the vanilla comes through for you... how long are you infusing the mixture?

 

[42things]

well wehn making vanilla infused oil it takes up to 2 months in the winter so.... I guess that's how long I'll try it for.... obviously this is a LONG term plan.

 

[judymoody]

I read on another post on this forum that somebody had infused oil with vanilla beans for six months and it smelled great.... before it came in contact with the lye monster. The scent didn't survive saponification.

 

[42things]

yeah, that's why I'm going to try infusing it in patchouli, cause I heard that patchouli anchors other scents too.

also I think I'll super fat to 5% and add it after trace to somewhat eliminate the lye...

 

[krissy]

yeah, that's why I'm going to try infusing it in patchouli, cause I heard that patchouli anchors other scents too.

also I think I'll super fat to 5% and add it after trace to somewhat eliminate the lye...

the lye monster eats without regard to when you put the oils in. it just eats whatever. you may be better of HPing the soap and adding the patchouli vanilla after the cook so that all of your scent stays in the soap and the lye has finished processing...

 

[Jerry S]

infusing the oils....

Sorry 42…I didn’t mean to be rude when I said “Experiment”. It’s just that when you do soaping tricks that are sort of out of the ordinary, which I think is true in this case; you might have to try a few techniques…
I think Krissy hit it on the head with saying to add it after the cook when almost all of the lye has eaten your oils. Especially if it’s oil that looses its identity very quickly…You may loose a little scent even doing this because the experts tell me that complete saponification isn’t complete until a few weeks after you pour. You might have to…pardon the expression “experiment” with a couple of small batches''
Good luck to you on this and let us know how it turns out…
Jerry S

 

[krissy]

Re: infusing the oils....

Sorry 42…I didn’t mean to be rude when I said “Experiment”. It’s just that when you do soaping tricks that are sort of out of the ordinary, which I think is true in this case; you might have to try a few techniques…
I think Krissy hit it on the head with saying to add it after the cook when almost all of the lye has eaten your oils. Especially if it’s oil that looses its identity very quickly…You may loose a little scent even doing this because the experts tell me that complete saponification isn’t complete until a few weeks after you pour. You might have to…pardon the expression “experiment” with a couple of small batches''
Good luck to you on this and let us know how it turns out…
Jerry S

ummm, i thought that it was fully saponified once it no longer zapped. the extra time is to allow the water to evaporate and for the bars to get harder and milder...

 

[42things]

Jerry! no problem, I didn't think you were being rude at all!

I was just being my offhanded self ... doesn't come off so well in type sometimes.

your comment actually gave me the push I needed to start this experiment. so thanks!