Teach Soap

I'm considering switching exclusively to EO's . With my experience with them, so far, I haven't encountered these same types of problems, ricing, morphed scents, etc that I seem to run into with every other FO I try. I only have limited EO experience and am curious to hear other peoples experiences with this. Do you run into the same types of issues with EO's? I've had some rather unpleasant experiences with FO's the last several weeks and it's burning me out.

Are your FO from BB? BB usually has notes about CP if it does accelerate or discolor. EO has the same problem too. As far as I know, Ylang Ylang, lavender give me the most trouble. Tea tree, rosemary, geranium, lemongrass seem fine to me. Sweet orange and grapefruit are fine also but they fade big time in CP.

_________________
Shieh Design Studio
https://www.facebook.com/ShiehDesignStudio
http://soapandrestless.blogspot.com

I'm intent on only using EO's or infusions. Price limits the scents I can use, but http://www.rainbowmeadow.com/infocenter ... select.php is a good EO blends page for when I'm wondering what new smell I want to try, even if it's just a new mixture. I've never had an EO speed up trace without me expecting it ahead of time. High eugenol EO's do that, but I prepare for it. Hope that helps.

Until the last few weeks I had never used a FO, and I had never had an issue using EO's. In my new experimentation using FO's, I've had a couple of fast trace issues, but I was prepared for them since BB gives great notes on their FO reactions in soap. While I prefer the EO's for their therapeutic values, and I really enjoy blending them too. I have to say though, I am really enjoying my "walk on the wild side" with the FO's too, not only do they have such fun scents, but I don't have to work so hard to get them!

_________________
Remember, it's not just that we weather the storm, but how we dance in the rain.

Tammy

These new ones have all been from Natures Garden. A few have performed great but other ones that should have performed great were total duds. I dunno, I may be trying to have a pity party because of the frustration of the day. Lol, thanks for the advice guys

Sorry about your crappy day and your FO issues! It probably has more to do with the types of FO you were using and where you got them, than anything else. So no worries! Take a nice deep breath and plan your next batch for another day or two

_________________
Remember, it's not just that we weather the storm, but how we dance in the rain.

Tammy

I had trouble with FO but I would almost guess it was mostly operator error. Since I have been;

1. Combine lye and oils at about 105-110 degree.
2. Use a whisk to intitially combine lye and oil.
3. Switch to a stick blender. If it seems to be reaching trace too quickly stop with the stick blender and just use it to stir or switch back to a whisk. When I do this sometimes it seems to stop reaching trace.
4. Combine your FO with a whisk and stir, stir, stir.
5. I always use the maximun amount of water recommended. Since I always cure for 6 to 8 weeks this is no trouble.

Since I have been doing this I have had no seizing problems. Not even with lavendar.

When I try a new FO I usually make a 1 pound batch (measuring in grams) first to see how it will behave.

After relaxing a bit I thought through ANYTHING that could possibly have gone wrong. It turns out, I remembered that I had switched brands of olive oil.

I made a new batch, but subbed the new olive oil with what I had left of my old brand. Guess what? The scent held perfectly, no ricing, good color. I'm wondering if the company "mixes" their olive oil with something else so my lye/water ratios were inaccurate? That's the only thing I can think. I had to post because I don't want to scare anyone away from Natures Garden, as this wasn't their FO's fault. Sorry about that guys, but thanks for all your helpful input...

Soapbuddy, I tried a batch in the refrigerator, how you do it, as I had read somewhere that "gel" isn't needed at all and that it somehow has been ingrained in everyone's mind that you have to gel. I can see why you do it. Held color beautifully and scent. I'm glad, indirectly, you persuaded me to try it.

Luigi, so glad that you tried it again and found the issue. I have read that a LOT of manufacturers adulterate their OO. On top of that, I have also read that EVO isn't great for soap, so, even if it wasn't adulterated with another type of oil, it maybe could have just been a different quality of OO than you had previously used?

Whatever the issue, you found it, so YEA! for you

_________________
Remember, it's not just that we weather the storm, but how we dance in the rain.

Tammy