Teach Soap

Hi, all,

I've been making M&P soaps for almost two years now, and I'm interested in making my own lotions from scratch. The thing that's got me most freaked out is sterilization and contamination issues.

I have heard to sterilize equipment in a solution of bleach and water (1 ounce of bleach per gallon of water was recommended). I assume that I should make my bleach water in a separate bowl rather than, say, in my kitchen sink. Can I use regular tap water to make my bleach water? Should I rinse afterwards, and do I need to rinse with distilled water? Would rinsing with tap water recontaminate my stuff?

To dry, I was planning to use clean paper towels.

And I know there is a debate about whether or not to sanitize bottles/containers that your finished lotions will be going into. Some recommend it, some don't. It sounds like sanitizing the bottles with a bleach wash, etc. could do more harm than good, so I'm inclined to just use the bottles as-is from my supplier. Do most of you do that?

And, of course, I definitely will use a preservative. I have Phenonip, which I read is okay to use up to 1%.

Sorry for all of the questions, but I'm curious about what other lotion-makers do to make their products and workspaces clean and safe. Could some of you please share your sanitizing rituals? Thanks!

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- Jenny -
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I use a bleach solution made with tap water in a separate bowl, than spritz with alcohol all the surface areas and implements. I sanitize everything except my jars or bottles. I was told by a chemist that if the bottles or jars are new, nothing should be added to them except the actual product.

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

Thanks, soapbuddy!

Just to clarify - do you rinse with tap water after the bleach bath but before spritzing with rubbing alcohol, or do you go straight from the bleach bath to the alcohol? Do you dry your equipment off after spritzing with the alcohol?

I hope I don't sound too obsessive - I just want to make sure I get the sanitizing thing right because I know how serious it is.

And, yes, I've heard from folks on the forum and other places that trying to rinse or clean out the bottles isn't necessary and can actually introduce contamination. Another supplier that I like, Elements Bath and Body, also specifically cautions against it in their FAQs: http://www.elementsbathandbody.com/faq

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- Jenny -
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For counters, I don't rinse, since it's a diluted bleach solution, wipe with a paper towel, then spritz with alcohol. For implements, I rinse with water after the bleach, dry with a paper towel, then spritz with alcohol. Alcohol evaporates pretty fast, so I don't dry it.

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

Cool, thanks, soapbuddy! i appreciate the help!

_________________
- Jenny -
My soapy blog:
Follow me on my

You're welcome.

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