Teach Soap

I was up until 3 or 4 am last night reading previous posts about sterilizing lotion bottles or lip balm holders. It's my understanding that the following is true:

1. as long as you buy containers from a reputable company, you shouldn't have to sterilize/sanitize the bottles or push tubes you're putting your lotion into?
2. " " " " with lip balm chapstick tubes , lip butter pots, or (again) push tubes?
3. If you buy a lotion base, as long as heating it to add fragrance & color, doesn't go past a certain temp, you don't have to send it for testing since it's already prepared with the preservative?

thanks in advance, and sorry if these q's are redundant.....but I want to add lip balm & lotion to my line up.....just want to do it right!

P.S. Anyone try this recipe yet? http://www.otionsoap.com/blog/2013/03/2 ... -lip-balm/

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- Stacey -

Anyone's life truly consists of work, sunshine, exercise, soap, plenty of fresh air, and a happy contented spirit. - Lillie Langtry

I do not sanitize or sterilize any bottles, jars or lip balm tubes. Mine come packaged in large sealed plastic bags inside paper boxes. Sanitizing will introduce water into the containers, which can contaminate them. Sterilization normally involves high heat, which would melt most plastic containers.

Never heat up any lotion base! It will negate some of the preservative, which could make the product fail. You can add color or fragrance at room temp under sanitary conditions. It's a good idea to have a separate set of tools just for B&B products.

That's my 5 cents.

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

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- Stacey -

Anyone's life truly consists of work, sunshine, exercise, soap, plenty of fresh air, and a happy contented spirit. - Lillie Langtry

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

On Soap Queen, I saw a vid where she just sprayed the inside of her container with alcohol and wiped it out with a clean paper towel to sanitize it.

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Amber D that'd be me!

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

The gold standard is definitely bleach sterilization. If I'm manufacturing for sale or for something other than a fast test batch, I'd definitely recommend bleach sterilization.

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Happy Soaping!

Anne-Marie
blog: www.soap-queen.blogspot.com
supplies: www.brambleberry.com

I do bleach everything and feel that it is a standard of production. The key is to allow everything to thoroughly drain dry so that no water is introduced. It takes some planning ahead, but it is to ensure quality production. This is sterilizing and does not use high temp hot water. You mix a bleach solution (5%) and rinse all items, the containers you are using to bottle, as well as your mixing pots and utensils and your counters too. After the counter dries, lay paper towels down for your utensils and jars/bottles to dry on those. Then use care to not touch the rims or insides of containers and use gloves when working to keep your skin flakes to yourself. It is extra work, but it is well worth the efforts.

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

Tammy

A-M and Tammy, thanks for the input. Much appreciated

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- Stacey -

Anyone's life truly consists of work, sunshine, exercise, soap, plenty of fresh air, and a happy contented spirit. - Lillie Langtry