So I have been soaping for a year and kept fairly decent records of batches, and any issues etc. I had 5 batches DOS in the first 50 and no DOS since (I'm at 108 batches). I have some pretty good ideas why they DOS'd. I now have 3 consistent recipes I use and am working on developing 2 more. I have 4 bars from month one and two of my soaping adventure. I wish I had kept more, not just my records.
My question now really has to do with scents staying/changing as that is what I have noticed I have issues with (in my kept early bars).
I did scent fairly lightly 3.5 to 4% in those 4 remaining year old bars. 3 out of 4 have either lost most of the scent or the scent has lessened or changed some. The one that has changed my boy3 still has, it was a Tahitian Vanilla FO that he said has lessened and gone a bit earthy but is a great well cured bar that lathers lovely. 2 that are EO's have pretty much lost all scent (1 of those has a faint bit left). The one that still has scent is a Lavender FO (that I hated).
I scent according to safe usage rates and usually I now scent at 5% for most FO recipes.
How long can/ should scents last in soaps, is there tips, tricks to make them last a year or longer. I know the EO's that tend to fade, and don't really use many EO's but a few like lavender, patchouli, lime (in a combination), anise, peppermint. Mostly I use FO's. I do add a bit of Kaolin Clay to every batch.
Your wisdom is always appreciated.
My question now really has to do with scents staying/changing as that is what I have noticed I have issues with (in my kept early bars).
I did scent fairly lightly 3.5 to 4% in those 4 remaining year old bars. 3 out of 4 have either lost most of the scent or the scent has lessened or changed some. The one that has changed my boy3 still has, it was a Tahitian Vanilla FO that he said has lessened and gone a bit earthy but is a great well cured bar that lathers lovely. 2 that are EO's have pretty much lost all scent (1 of those has a faint bit left). The one that still has scent is a Lavender FO (that I hated).
I scent according to safe usage rates and usually I now scent at 5% for most FO recipes.
How long can/ should scents last in soaps, is there tips, tricks to make them last a year or longer. I know the EO's that tend to fade, and don't really use many EO's but a few like lavender, patchouli, lime (in a combination), anise, peppermint. Mostly I use FO's. I do add a bit of Kaolin Clay to every batch.
Your wisdom is always appreciated.