Teach Soap

So... I was thinking about making some strawberry scented soap... who wouldn't? Strawberries smell great. However, I was wondering if pureed strawberries would, in any way be appropratiate to mix? I know whole fruit is prone to rancidity though I've seen a couple of youtube videos and people seem to have done so for cold process soaps - It seems to add a nice texture and colour.

If this is possible, what amount should be added? Also, due to the acidic nature of the fruit, would more lye need to be added to the mix? If anyone has had any sucess with this I'd really appreciate some advice.

Thanks

Strawberries will turn brown in soap and won't add any scent. Save them for eating.

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

Thanks Soapbuddy - I did assume I'd have to add a fragrance oil and colouring of some kind - mostly this would have been for the texture.

There is a receipe in The Handmade Soap book by Melinda Coss for Strawberry Soap. It says:

"I went to town with this soap adding red pigment and strawberry fragrance together with a whole punnet of fresh berries. In theory, the fresh strawberries should introduce an astringent quality but I fear any therapeutic value is probably diminished by the addition of the artificial colorant and fragrance oil. This is a nice soap to include in a mixed basket at it will certainly add colour, texture and interest."

I dont mind typing out the receipe for you, but not sure if its appropriate to do so on this forum???

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

Thanks Soapbuddy, that's why I asked, I am not familiar yet with forum etiquette.

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

This is not necessarily directed toward the OP, as I dont know if they sell/intend to sell or not, but this would be a perfect example of why we say that newbies shouldnt sell their soap until they have more experience and know (for sure) what will happen to their soaps down the road. Say you make it with the strawberries and sell it when its cured ( cuz it looks so nice), then what happens when your customer doesnt use it right away, and it turns brown? Will it turn brown? Why will it turn brown? When will it turn brown?
So experiment and see, but don't sell it until you know.

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

Tammy

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

Does all fruit go brown in CP? i had an idea for peach soap.

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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

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

soapbuddy, you say you are an author, I am curious.... what have you written?

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

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

Impressive. I love my massage therapist, wish I could afford to visit her every week! Do you ever think about doing a book on soapmaking?

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