Teach Soap

I have been doing cp for several months now. I normally don't stray from my main recipe but I have run out of castor oil and I was thinking of doing a batch without it. I know what most of you are thinking but I am nervous about it. I don't know how it will turn out. Will it lather as well? Is there another oil that I can substitute that will help with lather? Should I just shut up and do the research myself? Don't worry, I will still do the research but I was hoping to get some assurance from the experts that it will still be a good batch of soap. LOL! Thanks for letting me ramble.

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Haven

Well, first, I'm a very humble reply-er--- far from the experts, but in my years of soaping and reading, I have found that putting honey or sugar in a recipe will add some bubbles too. My origional recipe was the "trinity"--- olive, coconut,palm. I noticed that my oatmeal milk and honey bars lathered better. All my soaps have always been fresh goatmilk, no water, so I knew it had to be the sugar content. You can add at trace honey or sugar dissolved in water around 1T ppo. I know what you mean about the castor--- I try not to soap without it now.

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You may be only one person to the world, but you may also be the world to one person

I agree. Adding sugar to your lye water will help with the bubbleage factor.

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Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.

Not many of my recipes contain castor, but I never have a problem with lather or bubbles.

How much sugar is okay to add to the lye water?

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http://www.inarubathandbody.com

I think it's much easier to make sort of a simple syrup (2 parts sugar, 1 part water) and adding that to the lye water. I tried adding the sugar straight to the lye water a few times......it didn't all dissolve and it was sorta ropey-ish........I think it thought I was trying to make taffy or something......

And this is very NOT scientific......but I keep mine in a squirt bottle...and when I even remember to use it, I jsut squirt.....not a huge squirt, just a squirt that lasts a couple of seconds. <grin>

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Steph
www.cajuncauldron.com

Thank you! The simple syrup and the squirt bottle is a great tip!

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http://www.inarubathandbody.com

If you add the sugar after your lye has cooled down you should have no problems dissolving the sugar.
If you go the sugar syrup route, discard any leftovers as this is a perfect medium for germs and bacteria to grow.

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Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.

How about keeping the simple syrup in the fridge? Would that prevent bacteria from growing?

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http://www.inarubathandbody.com

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Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.

Good to know- thanks!

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http://www.inarubathandbody.com

Thanks for the advice! I knew I could count on you all.

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Haven

I'm all aboard with the sugar/simple syrup idea but I also want to point out that castor oil is still used a a diuretic and can usually be found in a pinch in the pharmacy section of many grocery stores. I've bought it in 4 oz. bottles which is usually good for small test batches. And they usually have at least a few of those in stock.

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- Mickey!

I've never had any trouble with the freshness of it.........but I do keep it in the fridge and when I remember to use it, it really doesn't last that long.

You can always purchase Simple Syrup in the alcohol department of any store. They use it in alot of mixed drinks!!! It's got a preservative in it so you can leave that stuff right on the counter top for months.....lol

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Steph
www.cajuncauldron.com