Teach Soap

I use a variety of suppliers for M&P non-bleeding colorant - powdered oxides, liquid oxides, micas, glycerin-based non-bleeding colorants, etc.

I have yet to find a supplier who can package a glycerin-based colorant in a plastic bottle that doesn't become impossible to use, with colorant pooling around caps, dripping down sides or clogging the "dropper." I once squeezed a bottle so hard that the seal came off and I had an entire two ounces of colorant in 8 ounces of soap. And, cleaning up the cap with a cloth wastes a huge amount of colorant.

I have tried thinning them with additional glycerin or other carrier to no avail.

The one successful solution I have found are the thin, non-bleeding liquid dyes from Nature's Garden. I use my own disposable dropper with those. But, I'd love other alternatives.

Of course, Lab Colors are sublime mixed in water, but bleed, of course.

Does anyone have a solution to this problem? Am I the only one who struggles with this? Has anyone tried heating these briefly to thin them out without losing their power to color?

Thanks -

Connie
http://www.soaprhapsody.com

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The Soapinatrix! *whip-crack*
- Posting the trials and tribulations of my Soaping Journey!

Whatever you do, don't heat them up! If need be, I would gently open the dropper cap and use a pipette.

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

Thanks, SoapBuddy. I always trust your advice.

Connie
www.soaprhapsody.com

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

Like the toothpick idea. I have no idea why after years of soaping, I've never thought to do that LOL

Some day someone will come up with a solution to this

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Genny

How much colorant (ultramarines or oxides) is needed to dissolve in 1 ounce of glycerin?

I do 1 TSP oxide/ultramarine to 1 oz glycerin.

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~~Heather~~
Mad [soaping] Scientist

I know soap queen uses 1/3 cup glycerin to one half teaspoon ultramarine.... that is 1/2 tsp? lol.

http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body- ... -pigments/

so wouldn't one teaspoon to one ounce be too much colorant?

Mine is just more concentrated, so I only use a teensy little bit. Unless my FO is very discolouring.

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~~Heather~~
Mad [soaping] Scientist

do you store your colorants in the fridge?

No, in airtight jars. I don't have fridge space for them.

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~~Heather~~
Mad [soaping] Scientist

If I have left over colorant when I mix oxides or ultramarines with gylcerin (or a carrier oil), I make a supersaturated color "block" by adding some melted clear soap and pouring it into a small paper cup to harden. When it's firm, I tear the cup away from the block. Then, when I need it again I simply cut off a small piece and add it to whatever I'm making. I store those color blocks in heavy-duty ziploc bags.

I do store Lab Colors that have been mixed with water in the refrigerator, since I don't like using preservatives if I don't have to.

Connie