Teach Soap

So I tried my first batch with goats milk today, used a recipe I am familiar with and added 2 tablespoons of the powder. I used some of my heated oils to mix the powder and took some serious whisking to get all the little lumps out...that powder isn't near as white or powder-y as I thought it would be:)

ANyway I used some lavander EO to scent for the wonderful smell and gentle properties about it. I have been keeping a close eye(brief moment of panic when I had to take my daughter to emerg and forgot to tell hubby to look at it but alls still ok) on my batch as I was sure it would overheat with the milk powder in it...is that not nearly the same as using the real thing with the sugars? Its not overheated yet and its gelling beautifully all the way out to the edges so heres hoping the gremlins stay away til its cooled:)

Anyone else use GMP? Hopefully I used enough! Can't wait to try this batch.

PS Had a thought while making a few bathes today...anyone ever try using an ice cube tray to make soap samplers? Would the soap come out of them easily?

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Whenever I used milk powder, I used water to make a slurry with, since it dissolves easier in water then oils. I have used a silicone mold for little sample soap squares. You can use a Wilton mini brownie silicone mold.

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

Thanks soapbuddy, I will try putting some of my water next time...shouldn't need much, than still put it in my batter later on(this time I put it in once I was getting to a thin trace so I could make sure it was mixed but not knowing what it would do to trace). I used roughly 1TBSP PPO with the powder...was that about enough or should I try more next time. I did read somewhere that too much backfires to make it a dry soap!

I have looked in my baking isles here in Ontario to find silicone small molds small enough but no luck...suppose I could splurge on one from my supplier:)

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I use GM powder most of the time. I just stick blend it into my oils before I add the lye water. The stick blending gets it incorporated more easily than whisking.

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Linda
I know the voices in my head aren't real, but they sure have some great ideas!

I get little spots when I stick blend the milk into oils. That's why I use water.

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

I have always mixed with a small amt of water to. i have never had my batches to heat up excessively with only several Tbsp of powered GM. I would use it more often if I could find it at the store. I just don't want to have to order it. I can get Goats milk in the dairy section at Walmart now so if I am not making a all goatmilk soap I just add a few tablespoons to my batch when it emulsifies.

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JULIE

The Lord is my Shepard

I am completely new to this so hopefully someone else will chime in and correct me if I'm wrong but I thought I read somewhere that it was okay to add up to .5oz PPO of GMP. I've tried it at this ratio twice now. The first attempt had problems but I'm not entirely sure that had anything to do with the GMP. It's ugly soap but it doesn't zap so it will be used anyway. Second attempt turned out great. Neither of the batches gelled for me, but I don't really care about that. Second batch was a recipe I used before that did gel on its own but with the GMP it didn't. Even though both batches aren't fully cured I can't help but cheat and try it early. (just the end cuts) They both lather beautifully and feel very softening.

I use .5 oz PPO. I've used 1 oz PPO, but the smaller amount seems to work best for me.

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Linda
I know the voices in my head aren't real, but they sure have some great ideas!

I also use GMP which I mix with water ( stick blended) and add at very light trace. It has always behaved well. I use 5 level tbsp. for 4 lbs of soap.

Thanks all.

I also had another issue...when I cut the soap it smelt yucky, at first I thought the milk burnt with the gelling process. Now its been over a week since cutting I only smell the lavender but hope the bad smell doesn't come back in the showers:)

Had a few little strange looking dots as well which is why I thought it may of burnt milk, next time I might put the milk mixture through a stainer!

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Milk soaps might start out smelling like ammonia, but that should go away as the soap cures.

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

Oh yes, the goats milk cut soap stench! YUCK! Luckily is goes away pretty quickly! I thought my first batch would stink like that for ages LOL It dissipated within a few hours and was completely gone the next day. Thank goodness!

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~~Heather~~
Mad [soaping] Scientist

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! Good to know I won't have that smell come back, so this happens to all GMP recipe at first?

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www.fostersfields.ca
https://www.facebook.com/FostersFields

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Linda
I know the voices in my head aren't real, but they sure have some great ideas!