stain stick recipe questions

[tamsoycandles]

We bought a stain stick from a fellow farmer's market vendor. It work incredibly well, according to my wife. I'd like to try making some. Here are the ingredients, in order:

Vegetable shortening

water

coconut oil

olive oil

lye

cornmeal

I'm looking for some ballpark proportions to start with. Any ideas? I am aware that I don't want to superfat....much..

Thanks!

Tony

[CareBear]

I just make mine with 100% lard (or coconut oil) - and lye & water of course. 0.5% SF. Cannot imagine what the cornmeal would be for unless you want to scrub at the stain and I think it could damage fibers if you do. Olive oil & crisco are conditioning - another thing I don't think you need.

IMHO.

[tamsoycandles]

I just make mine with 100% lard (or coconut oil) - and lye & water of course. 0.5% SF. Cannot imagine what the cornmeal would be for unless you want to scrub at the stain and I think it could damage fibers if you do. Olive oil & crisco are conditioning - another thing I don't think you need.

IMHO.

Yeah, the recipe seemed a tad odd, but my wife said it worked well. I could see how the cornmeal could damage delicates.

I have some lard. I suppose I'll give that a try.

Tony

[RobinInOR]

Mine's 100% coconut, 1% superfat. Cut while warm. Funny, this product kicked my butt - took me 3 batches until I got it so it looked decent without a partial gel. First time I let it go too long and couldn't cut it, and got partial gel. Second time I soaped it really hot and it climbed right out of the mold. Third time was the charm.

And 100% coconut takes *forever* to trace.

[tamsoycandles]

Mine's 100% coconut, 1% superfat. Cut while warm. Funny, this product kicked my butt - took me 3 batches until I got it so it looked decent without a partial gel. First time I let it go too long and couldn't cut it, and got partial gel. Second time I soaped it really hot and it climbed right out of the mold. Third time was the charm.

And 100% coconut takes *forever* to trace.

So, this probably isn't a recipe to cut my teeth on, eh? I've yet to try a CP soap, but I have most of the supplies I need to get started, minus a mold and some safety equip (important).

Tony

[RobinInOR]

Nah, I was just stupid But it *does* act differently that a regular batch, since you're using all hard oils. Any recipe will probably bite you at first lol... at least this one you won't be tempted to try to color or scent

[tamsoycandles]

at least this one you won't be tempted to try to color or scent

yes, that's true

[CareBear]

My 100% lard takes FOREVER to trace, even when I soap hot. Of course having said this it will probably go fast for you.

[Sharon in KY]

What shape do you make the stain sticks? Since I have only bought the ones that are in a tube, I can't imagine what a homemade one will look like. I think all bar soaps work at scrubbing out stains.

[CareBear]

I pour mine into the tubes I have for lotion sticks. But I think a bar of soap would be fine.

[kidsngarden]

So how do you use this? Like a fels naptha bar? anyone fragrance theirs? I like the idea of putting it in the twist tubes!

Bethany

[CareBear]

I wet the clothing and rub it on good.

If you pour it into tubes it can be hard to turn it up the first time so I "prime" them before giving them away (actually cracked a couple). I haven't tried greasing the tubes or anything - thought it might defeat the purpose.