KMommy Posted December 7, 2005 Share Posted December 7, 2005 I am a newbie to soap! I would like to add lavender buds to some melt and pour soap bases I have. At what stage to I add the buds? How long should I cure the soap? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spellkast Posted December 7, 2005 Share Posted December 7, 2005 If you're using a double boiler method, melt the soap down until it is completely liquified, but do NOT allow it to boil- then add your dye, if any, turn off the heat and let the soap sit for a while until it starts to form a small "skin" on the top. Stir in FO at this stage and let sit for a few more minutes until a thicker skin has formed. At this point, when you mix it with a spoon, it should be sort of like a slush- mix in your lavender buds and quickly pour into molds. M&P soap (as far as I know) does not need to cure. As soon as it's completely hard, I just pop it out of the molds and wrap it right away. HTH! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mnhorsemom Posted December 7, 2005 Share Posted December 7, 2005 There are also several places you can get a clear suspension base. It's made to have stuff added to it and not have it sink to the bottom of your molds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prairieannie Posted December 7, 2005 Share Posted December 7, 2005 Lavender Buds are one thing I haven't actually put IN my MP soap because someone suggested they would turn black. I've put them ON it though If you do decide to put them in it, let us know how it works out for ya. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ann M Posted December 7, 2005 Share Posted December 7, 2005 I put them in my last batch of melt and pour and yep, they turned black. I also thought I had added just a small amount, but they look really ugly. Also when I use the soap in a bath, the lavender buds float in the water and they look like dead bugs. It is gross. If you do add them, use a very small amount.Ann Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maryann Posted December 7, 2005 Share Posted December 7, 2005 I wonder what would happen if you grounded it up and mixed in, then sprinkled whole on top. Any ideas why it turns black? (I'll have to remember that). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prairieannie Posted December 7, 2005 Share Posted December 7, 2005 I have seen them sprinkled on top, and they look beautiful. It's just when they are immersed fully in the soap that they turn black..which, if you were making a black and white bar might be kind of cool actually....but the dead bugs floating in the water thing would NOT be cool at all lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mountainmadness Posted December 7, 2005 Share Posted December 7, 2005 I have not made it with the lavender buds in the soap- like prairieannie, I do sprinkle on the top sometimes. I had a customer tell me once that she had purchased a soap with lavender buds in it and it looked like mouse poop...... yikes! I have never tried the powder- that would be a fun thing to try... I wonder if it is gritty? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elizabeth Posted December 8, 2005 Share Posted December 8, 2005 I can tell ya from first hand experience that the lavender buds WILL turn black as will other botanicals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spellkast Posted December 8, 2005 Share Posted December 8, 2005 Ok, I'm baffled. I use fresh ground lavender from my mom's garden, and they have never turned black. Has anyone used fresh ones, or just the ones from suppliers...I wonder if this would make a difference? How odd! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maryann Posted December 8, 2005 Share Posted December 8, 2005 Ok, I'm baffled. I use fresh ground lavender from my mom's garden, and they have never turned black. Has anyone used fresh ones, or just the ones from suppliers...I wonder if this would make a difference? How odd!:embarasse This maybe a silly question but did you dry them first?? If so maybe suppliers put a chemical on them when drying that reacts w/ the soap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeana Posted December 8, 2005 Share Posted December 8, 2005 Is this only with MP? I just made some CP with cut up buds in it and the whole buds on the top. I didn't know they would turn a different color, yikes. I guess I will find out tomorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mountainmadness Posted December 8, 2005 Share Posted December 8, 2005 Is this only with MP? I just made some CP with cut up buds in it and the whole buds on the top. I didn't know they would turn a different color, yikes. I guess I will find out tomorrow.[/quoteIt is with all soap- sometimes it takes more than a couple of days..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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