Teach Soap

Hello again TS forum,
So I have been reading up on floral fragrances and that some may cause problems in the saponification process. From what I have read it is the monoterpene alcohols that are necessary to create some of the floral aromas that may be the cause. Can anyone shine a light on this, what can happen? Your own experiences? What can be done to make sure things go smoothly when using floral frags? Another thing I read that some soapers warm the fragrance before adding it in at trace, something about it helping slow trace down?

Thank you.

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~Alyssa
We ascribe beauty to that which is simple; which has no superfluous parts; which exactly answers its end; which stands related to all things; which is the mean of many extremes. -Ralph Waldo Emerson

Well hello there Alyssa.

You're correct that monoterpene alcohols that are necessary to create some floral FO's. I'm not familiar with them affecting the saponification process though. It's true that they'll accelerate trace....most of them anyway. I've not encountered any real problems with using floral notes except that I prefer not to use a stick blender and I'm ready to pour immediately after adding the FO's at trace. I prefer to add at light trace because some of them "rapidly" accelerate trace. Don't use small individual molds.....or the first pour to a mold will be fine and the last pour will be like trying to pour peanut butter. One mold, light trace, hand whisk, pour soon, watch the heat, gel, unmold, cure, enjoy.

I forget anything?

You can add liquid lecithin to the ones you know for sure accelarate trace. That should slow it down.

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

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~Alyssa
We ascribe beauty to that which is simple; which has no superfluous parts; which exactly answers its end; which stands related to all things; which is the mean of many extremes. -Ralph Waldo Emerson

I soap at about 110 degrees, use the maximum water, add your fragrance to some warm oil before you mix it in at thin trace. From this point forward do not touch it with a stick blender, use a whisk.

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~Alyssa
We ascribe beauty to that which is simple; which has no superfluous parts; which exactly answers its end; which stands related to all things; which is the mean of many extremes. -Ralph Waldo Emerson

A few gallons ought to do it.


No....really.....I forgot to mention that earlier. Thanks for bringing that up plschrader. I usually mix it with 50/50 avocado or sweet almond oil and warm it slightly. Remember to use only a hand whisk. If you're concerned about it seizing on you, and you're using individual molds, make smaller batches. I like BB's "Arabian Spice" but that stuff will go from nothing to thick trace within 30 seconds after you add it to the mix. By the time I pour and cover the mold, the leftover in the bucket is already hard.

Let us know how it turns out please.

Do not try fancy swwirls unless you have a floral you know well. I also tend to get partial gel, so this is one I will OP. There are lots of containers you can use instead of individual molds.

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Susie
Sometimes A Mistake is so much fun, You just have to do it again!

I usually make about 40-50 oz of soap, is that small enough? Alright, so my course of action; Get to light trace with stick blender (is that okay?) add the warm 50/50 fragrance oil mixture to the light trace and whisk in, pour as quickly as I can into molds, will this do? Anything else?

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~Alyssa
We ascribe beauty to that which is simple; which has no superfluous parts; which exactly answers its end; which stands related to all things; which is the mean of many extremes. -Ralph Waldo Emerson

Yes that's about it. If you have a lot of small molds (3 oz size or smaller) you're going to start noticing that it's starting to thicken as you're pouring. Just have everything laid out and ready and don't waste any time once you start.

And honestly I wouldn't use a stick blender at all. Go with a whisk your first time from start to finish. The earlier you can pour the fragrance the better. If you wait until you're at a medium trace.....well.....just be quick. You'll be ok. It's only soap and not high explosives or anything.

Just make sure that the fragrance is incorporated throughout, so you don't end up with fragrance pockets, which could irritate the skin.

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

_________________
~Alyssa
We ascribe beauty to that which is simple; which has no superfluous parts; which exactly answers its end; which stands related to all things; which is the mean of many extremes. -Ralph Waldo Emerson

You're only talking about an ounce or two of extra oil so I wouldn't worry about it too much. It may increase your superfat percentage from 6% to 7% but nothing you should worry to much about. If you're only making a 1 pound batch, then you could.....if you're making a 2 pound or 3 pound batch then I wouldn't worry.

Will a whisk take forever? Yes, until all life on earth ceases to exist and we become but a memory of some invading species in stardate 57283. No silly. Depending on your recipe, maybe 10 mintues, maybe 25 minutes. You don't have to mix continually. Mix steady for a minute, then take a 2 minute break and do it again for a minute. Just stand over it and keep an open eye on the mix.

Honestly it's not difficult and you're worrying too much. If I can do it, you can do it. Just make it like your regular batch but pour faster and have everything set up and ready to go when you pour the FO. You'll be fine.

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~Alyssa
We ascribe beauty to that which is simple; which has no superfluous parts; which exactly answers its end; which stands related to all things; which is the mean of many extremes. -Ralph Waldo Emerson

You'll do fine. I know you will.