I need help with Titanium Dioxide and White Kaolin Clay

[ondobody]

Hello!
I seem to be getting white specks in my soap from either the TD or the kaolin clay (or both)
I was wondering what brands you guys love for TD and white kaolin clay?
Also do you guys have any special methods that prevent these specks from happening? I have tried grinding them in a coffee grinder and mixing in hot water with a latte frother. Still getting small specks.
Is mixing in castor oil better than mixing in water? Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thank you

 

[glendam]

I try to dissolve any tiny lumps with a small spatula. Pressing/rubbing the titanium dioxide against the walls of the container on which I am mixing it with oil. It takes some time but it seems to work.

 

[Catscankim]

I mix my td in sweet almond oil….

put it into a baggie, add the oil. Close the baggie and smoosh around until it is smooth. Add oil if needed until you have the consistency you want. Then when i am ready for it, i cut into the edge of the bottom of the baggie and squeeze it in the batter. Make sure you have a cup or paper plate to lay it on to catch any drips.

I do this before i start anything else. I have tried all methods on the internet as well as all suggestions, and this is by far the easiest way for me. I waste a bit, but its worth it to me to not have any td boogers.

 

[LynetteO]

I only use it if I am coloring all the soap because I add it to my hot lye solution. No clumps. My TD is the water soluble variety.

 

[user 49910]

Are the specks / lumps visible in the dry clay and titanium dioxide prior to adding them to the water? The texture should be like very fine talcum powder.

I always dissolve both the kaolin clay and TD in water and give them a good blending with a mini-blender. I just use room temperature water too.
I have never had any issues with specks at all. You might try sifting them through a very fine mesh tea strainer to see if that helps.
Do lumps / specks appear in the water after dissolving them?
I use "Pure" brand TD, the kaolin I get from several different sources. I always buy it as a cosmetic grade, which means it is very finely ground and ready to use as a facial mask, etc.

 

[ondobody]

Are the specks / lumps visible in the dry clay and titanium dioxide prior to adding them to the water? The texture should be like very fine talcum powder.

I always dissolve both the kaolin clay and TD in water and give them a good blending with a mini-blender. I just use room temperature water too.
I have never had any issues with specks at all. You might try sifting them through a very fine mesh tea strainer to see if that helps.
Do lumps / specks appear in the water after dissolving them?
I use "Pure" brand TD, the kaolin I get from several different sources. I always buy it as a cosmetic grade, which means it is very finely ground and ready to use as a facial mask, etc.

The specs don't show up at all until I cut the soaps and voila, it's there I will definitely try to strain them through a tea strainer! I think that would definitely help because I can't ever visually see them when I'm mixing it in water.. except the kaolin clay I see floating specks of tiny clumps sometimes when I add it to my lye water.

Thank you all for all the help!! I will try everyone's methods!

 

[Ford]

Mixing TD with oil vs water. Has improved my batches. Also, Mix a slurry. In a small squirt bottle. With a couple of stainless steel nuts/bolts. To agitate, just give it a good shake. Then disperse as needed. My complexion is now, 99% booger free.
Another comment, some white Mica's. Are made using TD. Just get samples to try. If you do experiment with them.

 

[Zing]

I can't wait to try all of these methods!
Just yesterday I did a Tree Marie trick. I poured a Tbsp oil on a cutting board. I added a tsp TD and used a small palette knife to smoosh and mix, and then used the knife to scoop into a small bowl. It worked better than my previous method of putting oil and TD in a small wax cup and using a popsicle stick to smoosh.

 

[Mobjack Bay]

I also use the plastic bag method, which I think I first read about in a Tree Marie comment thread for one of her YT videos. My TD is the oil soluble type. I add X grams of TD and 3X grams of HO Sunflower, seal the bag and smoosh away. When I can’t feel any lumps or see any white streaks in the bag after I smoosh, I snip the corner and squeeze the mixture into a squirt bottle. My TD is quite stubborn, so I try to plan ahead.

 

[Peachy Clean Soap]

Like @Zing ive used Tina Marie method too' it works. for TD I use a ratio of 3 to 1. I'll heat 3 tbs of distilled water in microwave tell its really hot & mix 1tbs of TD stir really well.
Also your hard fats like Shea' Cocoa butter' Palm can cause white specs too.

 

[violets2217]

The specs don't show up at all until I cut the soaps and voila, it's there

Do you use a wire cutter to cut your soaps? Wire cutters can show air bubbles to look like specks.

I only use kaolin clay in my soaps, never tried TD, and honestly I either mix it with my FO or a tablespoon or two of batch oil. (I tend to mix all additives with batch oil...) I also use one of the mini milk frother mixers to disperse. I now warm water works better but I always forget to grab some of my batch water before I add my masterbatch lye.

 

[Rsapienza]

I use water soluble TD and when I get it, I put the whole bag thru a fine tea strainer and into another container. When I use it, I let it soak in a little water before I need it (maybe like an hour or so), periodically hitting it with the mini frother. Haven’t had the specks since, (I used to get them all the time).

 

[Obsidian]

I have water soluble, I add just a tiny bit of water and smoosh it smooth with a baby spoon.
I found the lumps are easier to get out when I make a thick slurry vs a thin mix.

 

[linne1gi]

My TD is water soluble. I add it to a plastic squeeze bottle with 3X distilled water and some glass marbles. I shake shake shake my bottle. And then just use it up little by little. I actually add a gram of LGP because it can be 2-3 months until I use it all. Then I wash out the bottle and start again. I never have white speckles.

 

[user 49910]

I actually add a gram of LGP

What is LGP? It is not in the abbreviation section.

 

[linne1gi]

What is LGP? It is not in the abbreviation section.

A preservative: Liquid Germall Plus.

 

[lsg]

You can add the Kaolin clay to your lye water. IMO, clay needs to be wetted before adding to the oils or soap mixture.

https://www.soapmakingforum.com/threads/adding-clay-to-lye-water.45055/

 

[linne1gi]

You can add the Kaolin clay to your lye water. IMO, clay needs to be wetted before adding to the oils or soap mixture.

https://www.soapmakingforum.com/threads/adding-clay-to-lye-water.45055/

I add kaolin clay to every single soap - I add it to my fragrance, and let it "marinate" in the clay/fragrance combo. I swear it helps scents, especially essential oils stick better. I have some 3-4 year old soaps that still smell great.

 

[Zing]

Just finished a soaping session and did the plastic baggie squish thang. It was a little awkward trying to squeeze the cut baggie into the teaspoon -- BUT it was all smooshed and no lumps!

 

[TheMightySueBaca]

How much TD do you typically add?