Question about my 50/50 Lye Solution with Aloe Vera Juice

[Dana]

Earlier I made my first 50/50 lye solution using Aloe Vera Juice for the water.

Changed color, which I expected......but....

There is about a 1/4 layer of a foamy type substance on top of the mixture? When stirring it does not incorporate back in, it comes back to the top.

Is this normal? Did I do something wrong?

Thanks

dana

 

[Guest]

hmmm i never has this problem. I say scrap it out and make soap without the layer of foam.

 

[Dana]

I have no idea what the foamy stuff is or how I could have messed it up, lol!

50% Lye, 50% aloe vera juice. Mix. Wait. And I got foam :roll:

Thanks for the suggestion/help!!!

dana

 

[chlobue]

Question about 50/50 solution

Mine does the same thing when I only use aloe vera juice. I have it happen just about every time. I'd go ahead and use it.
chl

 

[Dana]

Re: Question about 50/50 solution

Mine does the same thing when I only use aloe vera juice. I have it happen just about every time. I'd go ahead and use it.
chl

Was I needing to add something other than just aloe vera juice? If I use it, do I stir to incorporate the "foam" back into it or not?

dana

 

[garland68]

Mine does that some times, not all the times and I have yet to figure it out. When I go to use it I just strain it out and all is fine. Has not messed up one of my batches yet.

 

[IanT]

I get that too... I think it happens when the aloe vera juice is very pure and contains some of the gel from the plant in more concentrations...happens to me all the time when I try to mix in pure gel from a fresh plant...Id just use it, I dont think itll hurt, but then again Im not an expert on aloe vera....paul where are you!??!?!

 

[Dana]

Interesting.......this is just the stuff from Wally......

yeah, PAUL where are you! (not that I don't appreciate everyones responses)


To strain, or not to strain, that is the question lol


thanks

dana

 

[IanT]

lol...well ya know the saying, when in doubt leave it out lol.....

 

[Dana]

leave out the gunk or leave out the strainin' ? lol

At least I know this as happened to someone else besides me! :cry:

dana

 

[IanT]

very true! I think its just foam from the aloe vera, I wouldnt worry about it lol...but who knows!?

 

[digitalmayhem]

Sometimes aloe juice has other ingredients in very small amounts (citric acid, potassium sorbate, etc.) it could have something to do with that, as well.

 

[Guest]

i been making soap for 8 years now. As long as I know, when I use Aloe Juice...not all my batches.

I stir slow and also i cool mine to room temp. I dont get foam. A little bit of bubbles thats it.

I do not think it will hurt the soap. Just remove the foam and use the liquid. It just like Root Beer.

Im not Paul, but I been soaping long enough to know.

 

[Dana]

Sounds good to me.

thanks

dana

 

[IanT]

goooo smelli!

 

[Dana]

Foam or no foam......my 1st batch of Gm soap is looking wonderful....

thanks to all of you for sharing your experience and knowledge

dana

 

[IanT]

So glad to hear that!!! You got to post some pics when its all done!!

 

[itsmeroro]

Several of my last AVJ batches did that neat trick... I noticed it happened more when I more or less incorporated the lye very fast - stired a bit and walked away... that is when I noticed the scum. It was not too bad.

I also have not tried the wally world AVJ - mine is clear. I wonder if that matters? Anywho - I have not found it affecting my soap in the end.

Cheers!

 

[Soapmaker Man]

Well I have been doing this 50% lye solution thing for over a year now. 8) I do occasionally get a bit of foam on top, but not much. I mix well, let sit for about 30 minutes then pour into my larger storage container that holds my 50% lye mixture. Since it is at room temp when I soap, I have never had any foam come out of my big bottle of premixed lye/aloe vera solution. I think it is simply a reaction to the heat caused by adding the lye, and when it cools, it condenses back into the liquid, never to reappear! :wink: I generally keep at least 1/2 to 1-1/2 gallons made up at any one time.

Paul :wink:

 

[Dana]

Maybe I added the lye too fast, or stirred too vigorously or something? :shock:

Oh well, what's done is done. I am SO thrilled to have finally made GM soap!
I was so intimidated making milk soaps after reading all the stories about it...but this was easy-peasy!

From the moment I tried it, I really liked doing RTCP. Now I love having the lye solution premade. It makes soaping so much more fun! Thanks Paul for sharing your method!

dana