Teach Soap

So....I tried infusing my olive oil by putting the powdered herbs in a tea bag and heating on the stove in jars.....FAILED! I was really disappointed.
Does anyone have a basic recipe to share with a newbie on how to colour and fragrance naturally? I'm not sure what I did wrong.

Thanks again ladies!

Btw....I appreciate the help of you that have "walked" before me.

What did you infuse? How long did you heat it? At what temperature?

You can infuse and otherwise use herbs in a few ways. Here is a quick rundown.
You can take powdered herbs and add them right into your soap batter like you would a clay to color. It is best to remove some batter and add the powder to that small amount, then mix the portion back into the batter. It mixes better that way and reduces clumps.
You can infuse the oil (ahead of time) with the herb(s). This can be done by gently heating the herbs in oil for 2-4 hours (never allow to boil) then strain it and trash the plant material and save the oil for using in your soap.
Or you can place the oil and herbs in a jar, shake daily, keep the herbs covered with the oil, store it in a dark, cool place for 4-6 weeks. It is important to use dried herbs for this so that you reduce the risk of mold. [You can also infuse fresh herbs, but it is more difficult and takes some practice.]
Most every herb/flower/spice can be used in multiple ways, but some must be done by infusion only. Annato seeds must be infused. You can do it warm or cold though, your choice, but it works faster if you at least begin with warm oil and then you can leave it sit. And you don't have to worry about keeping the jar dark either. Just cover the seeds with the oil of your choice and leave it sit. Shake it once in a while and then strain it. You can use any portion of the oil to color your batch. The more you use, the deeper the color. If you only toss in a few tablespoons you will get more of a yellow, where more will give a deep orange. The longer it steeps, the deeper orange in the oil as well.

If you have a specific herb/flower/spice to ask about, feel free. I only use natural colorants.

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

Tammy

Hi Tammy
I infused mustard powder in olive oil for about 4 hours but now you have me thinking that I may have had the heat too high...

I am going to try putting the powder into part of my batch. I'm so anxious to try colour. Any suggestions on scenting it naturally?

Mustard powder can be irritating. I realize that it's used in castor oils packs and mustard baths to increase blood flow to the surface of the skin. I would use something else if you want color. Carrot juice, unrefined palm oil, turmeric infused in oil would be better choices.

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

I wouldn't use mustard powder either. If you over heat it you still should have color. I think it takes longer for tea bags to infuse too. Tumeric can be added into your soap batter, rosemary can either be powdered and added into the batter or infused in the oil, you can take and mix in some pureed pumpkin or baby food carrots, some saffron into your batter, and a ton of others.

What do you have on hand? I would try and use one that can just be added into the batter. Take a small amount out and mix the powder with the batter (in its own container), then mix that part back into the batter that you want colored. This way you can minimize clumps. Color is fun, so have a blast!

ETA: clays can impart color too

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

Tammy

Good to know about the mustard powder! I have paprika, turmeric, oregano ... Lots of powder herbs in my cupboard but do not know what is irritating to the skin. I am starting to realize that there is a lot of false/amateur information out there.

t what point do I start mixing it into the batch? As soon ad it starts to thicken? And is it ok to stop stirring to remove some and start a small one to add the powder?

BB has an e-book on infusing herbs that's very helpful: http://www.brambleberry.com/E-Book-Infu ... P5040.aspx

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

Tumeric is a good one to start with. It will give you a dark yellowish to a muted orangey color, depending on how much you use. You can use 1/4 tsp to 1 tsp. Tumeric per pound of oils. This one is fine to add at trace.

Paprika will give you a kind of peachy color to a melon orangey. You can use 1/2 to 1 Tbs. paprika per pound of oils. It tends to be a little scratchy, so this is one that is better infused into the oil before you soap. Make sure to strain it after you infuse it, otherwise it will make speckles in the soap and may also be scratchy to the skin.

Cocoa powder will give you a dark brown if you want to try that (it makes a nice contrast with your white to nearly white soap)
Use about 1 Tbs. per pound of oils. This one is fine to be added at trace.

For the ones you add at trace, I think it is easiest to have the colorant measure out and sitting in a container on the counter. Once you reach thin trace, add about 1/2 cup of the batter to the color and mix it well, making sure you get all the clumps out. BB sells a cute little mini mixer with several attachments that is perfect for mixing colors and it is around 5$! Once you have it mixed well, add that back into the portion of your batter that you want colored, then swirl or pour into mold, whatever you are doing.

There are a large amount of herbs, flowers, roots, spices etc that you can use to color your soap. Each one has a recommended amount to use. Some are better infused and some can be infused or added at trace. You really need to check into each one before using them. If you have one you want to use, feel free to ask about it. Also, some are kind of surprising in the color they give. I have seen some articles or websites that say a certain herb will give a certain color, when I know that it won't. So don't always believe what you read. Have some fun though and experiment!

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

Tammy

Here is a web site for more natural colors. http://www.mullerslanefarm.com/soapcolors.html

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

I had never seen that site before, thanks Irena! I have bookmarked it to look when I have some more time!

I just glanced at it quickly, but I would point out two things. The hibiscus powder will stay pretty in m&p soap, but in my experience it turns a mousy gray in cp soap. Also, the red sandalwood will vary from maroon to a purplish red, depending on the ph of the soap. The lower the ph, the more reddish, the higher the ph, the more purplish.

And a really cool green that I didn't see on the list is nettle leaf powder. It is a a vibrant, almost limey green. You can use up to 1 Tbs. per pound of oils and it can be used in the batter or infused into your oils, either one.

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

Tammy

Yes, the hibiscus powder oxidized and lost its color in soap within a short period of time. Hibiscus makes a nice tea though.

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

that is does Irena!

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

Tammy

Tammy, thank you for your detailed reply, it is very helpful. I am going to try some this weekend and will let you know how it turns out.....I'm very excited.

Lovin Soap blog did a really great series on coloring soap naturally and how to best use several additives (directly to soap vs infusion). Here are all the posts:

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Laura<3

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

Tammy