Teach Soap

Today I stopped at a local health food store to pick up a few things. I saw their display of soaps and went to check them out. There was a display of soaps that had cigar bands on them. I picked up the Lemongrass one and it barely smelled of lemongrass. Then I picked up one that was called Ginger Berry. I didn't smell ginger or berry. In fact the bar didn't smell good AT ALL! It had what I thought was a rancid smell to it. Does CP soap go rancid? I've haven't had a bar of soap in my house for very long (give 'em out to family and friends almost as soon as they're made). What can be done, if anything, to keep the soap from smelling bad?

_________________
Lisa
“What soap is to the body, laughter is to the soul” ~ Yiddish proverb

Sure, soap can go rancid. Use the freshest oils and butters possible and keep away from moisture or excessive heat (unless in the bathroom). Some people add a small % of ROE (Rosemary Oleoresin Extract) to their oils as soon as they get them.

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

Thanks Irena. It just seems that I've read how people have soap from what seems like eons ago and it is still good. So I wonder how some keep so well and others don't. How can some soaps last for years and not go rancid? Must be the ROE or Tocopherols being used? I was really surprised that the shop would have such a nasty smelling product on their shelves.

_________________
Lisa
“What soap is to the body, laughter is to the soul” ~ Yiddish proverb

My mother and grandmother both made soaps. I have my mother's soap here that is about 20 years old. It has faded and there is no scent left, but it makes for a fine soap. Light, heat and humidity wreak havoc on handmade soaps. I don't use vit E in soaps. I feel that due to the high pH of lye, the lye eats it. I don't use ROE either, but I live in a dry desert.

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

20 years? That's amazing Irena! I think I will only use them in my lip balm, lotion, etc...when I use them that is. So expensive! The soaps seem to do fine without them.

_________________
Lisa
“What soap is to the body, laughter is to the soul” ~ Yiddish proverb

Vit E is fine in lip balms. I wouldn't use ROE there as it could add a unpleasant taste.

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

_________________
Lisa
“What soap is to the body, laughter is to the soul” ~ Yiddish proverb

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