elitenaildesign Posted January 25, 2007 Share Posted January 25, 2007 Got my tussah silk from Carrie today(Thanks Carrie) How much again do I use. I think I will be making a 3 or4lb batch of soap tomorrow. Do I add this to the water before I add the lye? Thanks in advance! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lorrie Posted January 25, 2007 Share Posted January 25, 2007 I used a pinch of it and I added it to my lye water after I added the lye. I don't know if that is right or not but I can tell a difference in my batches of soap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shutterbugg Posted January 25, 2007 Share Posted January 25, 2007 For a 3 pound batch i use about a pea size amount. You dont need alot, it will last you a long time!! Wish other supplies would last as long as this silk LOL Yes put it in your lye water to help dissolve it... make sure you stir it every now and then Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hawaiiansun Posted January 25, 2007 Share Posted January 25, 2007 I use it like Les said, I have yet to find out what difference it makes, but it's cheap and looks good on the label. Maybe one day I'll figure out the properties. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CareBear Posted January 25, 2007 Share Posted January 25, 2007 I use a fluffy, loose cotton-ball sized piece (not as dense as a cotton ball) for a 2# batch. I think it makes a difference, but who knows... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carrie Posted January 25, 2007 Share Posted January 25, 2007 Glad you got it..I use a piece about as big around as a pencil and about an inch long for a 2lb batch. Add it to the water just after you mix the lye in, while it's still white. It will dissolve almost completely within 1/2 hour. I just pour it in the oils anyway and figure the SB will break up the rest of it.I had 2 bars of soap from Meridith, both are the same recipe except one has silk and one doesn't. I was amazed at the difference. I actually noticed the difference and looked at the labels to see what the difference was. It was the silk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SunshineSundries Posted January 25, 2007 Share Posted January 25, 2007 Is there any other way to "melt" this other than adding it to the lye water?? I make goat's milk soap and I freeze the gm and use a cold water bath so the lye doesn't brown the gm... anyway - could I add it to the hot oils while they are in the melting pot? or doesn't this get hot enough?TIALife & Light!Tish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carrie Posted January 25, 2007 Share Posted January 25, 2007 I keep reading about how the lye melts the silk but I'm not sure that it doesn't just break it down. If lye is so caustic, it should be able to break down the silk without heat. I don't have time today but I might just try this weekend...I could make some lye water up and let it sit overnight, then add silk. See if it still breaks down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CareBear Posted January 25, 2007 Share Posted January 25, 2007 The caustic nature of lye breaks down the silk, not the heat. I put the lye on top of my ice cubes or slushy milk or whatever and put the lye right in on top of it, stirring as I go - the lye breaks down fine. If I see too many strands I put it through my kitchen sieve, but that's only happened once I think, an I honestly believe I didn't need to.ETA, if I do add the silk after the sol'ns cooled it doesn't seem to work as well, but I haven't tried leaving it for more than an hour or so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.