mao Posted November 19, 2017 Share Posted November 19, 2017 I made about a dozen Castile Soaps using different oils to see what I liked the best. This time though I made a larger batch of the soap I use for cleaning and it turned into white powder while cooking. Why did it do this? How can I fix it? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TallTayl Posted November 19, 2017 Share Posted November 19, 2017 What was your original formula? Since it was a larger batch, are you certain all of the measurements were accurately calculated for the larger batch? Did you measure everything correctly? As you made the larger batch, did it go through the normal stages the smaller batches went through? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mao Posted November 19, 2017 Author Share Posted November 19, 2017 Yes I was very careful with my measurements, but no it was different looking. When I was mixing it took over an hour and it was thick like taffy when you pull it apart and than turned like a fluff, as if you were beating egg whites. I used 65% coconut oil, 25% grapeseed, and 10% palm with 5.25 KoHat 35% water. Oh I upped the coconut and did not use jojoba this time since I wanted to make it for cleaning I didn't see the purpose for the jojoba. I've read everywhere that KoH is not pure so use -7 on your lye calculation. Is it possible that what I bought is pure and I shouldn't of used a negative number? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Candybee Posted November 19, 2017 Share Posted November 19, 2017 (edited) I don't think it was the negative superfat. Although you can use the 90% KOH option that most soap calculators have. My guess is the culprit may be the jojoba or possibly not enough liquid as more of it evaporates the larger your batch or both. Plus the jojoba is waxy so that could have contributed. What was your percentage of jojoba? Edited November 19, 2017 by Candybee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mao Posted November 19, 2017 Author Share Posted November 19, 2017 I didn't use the jojoba this time. I normally would of done 7.5 and 57.5 coconut, but I removed it since it wasn't for skin and for cleaning. Do you think if I add water and remix it might be salvageable? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TallTayl Posted November 19, 2017 Share Posted November 19, 2017 Did you recalculate the amount of KOH needed with the oil change? If it were me, I'd add more water, a little at a time, and see what happens. It is possible too much evaporated. With that much coconut oil it should get thin pretty quickly. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mao Posted November 19, 2017 Author Share Posted November 19, 2017 Yes, I did and ok thanks I'm going to try adding water and see what happens. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Candybee Posted November 19, 2017 Share Posted November 19, 2017 Let us know how it goes. With so many ways to goof up soap its almost always salvageable one way or another. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mao Posted November 26, 2017 Author Share Posted November 26, 2017 It worked, it took a bit and I ended up adding jojoba so n more water so I'm just messing around with it. Came up with a great mostiterizing Lavender Nutmeg soap though I put in testers lol, nice thick consistency. But the base is thin. Still not sure though what I did wrong. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Candybee Posted November 26, 2017 Share Posted November 26, 2017 Nice! Looks like something I would like to try! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mao Posted November 26, 2017 Author Share Posted November 26, 2017 It was easy to make. Using the base I added 1.5 % bergamot, 0.5% eucalyptus and 4% lavender essential oil a 1/2 cup of salt mixture to soap base. I have hard water so it's up to you with salt. The salt mixx is 80% water 10% Epsom n 10% organic sea salt. I'm sure you know to add the salt to boiling water n mix right before adding. It turns soap cloudy n may break apart but I mixed it really good n particles went away but the color I'm not sure if it will come back after sitting. I poured half soap mix into a 10 oz bottle (the little dish soap bottles I found are perfect for testing) I added a half tablespoon nutmeg and than added rest soap. N mixed. Nutmeg is great for mostiterizing. I also made another with same ingredients but added a little bit more than a 1/2 tablespoon of ginger. Ginger is good for fighting aging, elasticity, and firming. The one with ginger came out nice and thick n fluffyish. I may try one with cinnamon n honey for my daughter since CINNAMON is good for acne and honey reduces the redness. I suppose my screwup helped make some item I would of mist likely never tried before. Good luck if you try!!!!and thank you for everyone helping Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TallTayl Posted November 26, 2017 Share Posted November 26, 2017 Every additive will change the base viscosity. Often citrus will thin a thick base. Lavender will thicken a thin base to a gel. Sometimes they change slowly over time. Your next recipe will come out different. Every oil in the base soap will be different n/thicken. Olive oil makes a thick base. Coconut oil a super thin base. Finding your magic blend is part of the fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mao Posted November 27, 2017 Author Share Posted November 27, 2017 It really does, the one o added ginger too I couldn't believe how it turned out, but it was perfect. Thanks again there is a handful of you that always seem to get me thru my up hills! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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