Marr said:
I haven't tried soured GM before - what changes in the soap with the sour milk?
I have been doing a 50% lye solution as well. I was told by another soapmaker however that 50% GM is not enough liquid to dissolve the lye into because GM has too much fat in it? I have made many batches this way with no problems but am now concerned. My soaps are fine though. I use them everyday as does my family. I use fresh GM from the store and it's pastuerized - so maybe it has less fat in it. I don't know - but if I switched brands or the formulation of my current brand changes - I worry the outcome would be different.
What are your thoughts on this?
Marr
Marr, I use the soured GM because soured milk produces a natural sodium lactate which makes the soap harder. I have GM that is over 45 days old and stays outside the refrigerator in a sealed glass gallon milk jug. It never, ever, smells really sour and never curdles. I do use fresh GM from a farmer though.
As far as the 50% solution goes. Yes, 50% the water and lye will thoroughly mix together, any stronger though, it won't. I don't soap with it at 50%, I add the GM to reduce the strength down to between 28 to 32% solution depending on the FO's I musing or the recipe I'm using. It just depends. I add powdered GM to my soured GM to make it 100% GM so I can morally say I use 100% goat milk in my soaps! Big argument there I had on another forum! :roll: I use aloe vera juice to make my 50% lye solution and add silk to that. That is my take on everything. Been doing this for a few years this way. Works well for me!
Paul... :wink:
ETA: I love your Mr. Bean avatar! That guy is nuts!
