Teach Soap

Was mixing a lotion for a lady's kid with eczema and = the jojoba oil I had bought turned out NOT to be jojoba oil! The minute I pulled the dropper out, a heavy floral hit me. Instant migraine & couldn't make the lotion. Hmmm...

Today, went back to Drogueria Chuy, where I normally get my lye, kaolin, coconut oil & a few other things. Gave the young lady working (she spells the owner, who is elderly) the 'jojoba' oil so she could see it had been mislabeled by the factory (Hahnemann Essential Oils) and further, placed in a box stating it was jojoba. She failed to grasp the significance. I pointed out that jojoba has no distinct odor (I refused to call that fragrance, so intense). She blinked.

Then I explained that I had been making a special lotion for a baby and that if I had included this oil, thinking it was jojoba, it could damage the baby's skin. Not only that, but the entire batch of lotion would have to be tossed out, as I could not identify what was in the bottle. Another blink. Blank stare.

I pointed out further, that last time this happened to me I made no fuss because I was moving house & lost the bottle. But it had been most definitely CLOVE oil in a bottled labeled 'Manzanilla' (chamomile). If not for my nose... I was beginning to emit more steam than a clambake at that point.

Then, the sweet girl... She calls Hahnemann Labs in Montevideo & explains who I am, that I'm a regular customer, etc. and they graciously agree to allow her to return my precious 170 pesos (about $6.50). No dramas, we'll apply it toward the lye I ordered. She insisted on counting out my pesos. Okay. Back to business.

There it was... 4 kilos of sodium hydroxide... in cellophane bags that were not heat-sealed but folded over & stapled 4 times at the top. Not even taped. All of it was full of lumps, etc. (Why, oh, why didn't they call me when the order arrived? WHY not leave it in the original 4kg container?) I explained that once the air begins to work on the lye, it becomes impossible to weigh it out accurately, and that all of my recipes required accuracy if I were to serve my customers...

Then, I told her it was unusable for my purposes, that I would buy drain opener from the hardware store before I would use ruined lye in one of my soaps, which could actually damage a customer's skin. Blink. Blink. "Like, because I CARE about my customers." (yeah, in Spanish) Blink. Blink-blink. 1,000-yard stare.

Egad!

From now on, I will order direct from Drogueria Uruguaya in Paysandu & have things sent up to me on the danged bus! It'll be my little 'gift' to myself - preventing elevated blood pressure, let's say...

On the bright side, I get to soap like a demon tomorrow & for a few days. I scored 6kg of excellent lard for $2kg, 6 liters of EVOO for $22, hub's favorite hard candies, and a TON of nice, clean shoeboxes for my curing soaps...

I've been reading the CP threads from 2008 to present. Geez, guys - you have no idea how much I admire all of you!

Hugs & happy soaping.

Ahhh...the joys of living away from civilization.

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

Linda, it was because I was eager to try your "trinity" recipe I found way back in the archives...

Next day, we had power outage for 4 hours, so I was foaming at the mouth, oils weighed, etc...

Finally got it done in the arvo... Woulda been better if I had just chilled & gone for a beach walk...

Yeah... civilization... Really, I don't miss it until I'm in a hurry to get something done. Normally, I'm NEVER in a hurry... being lazy me. In general, the abundant cheap food, pure air, water, etc., and lack of stress are well worth it to me... We were so sick from the Gulf & getting our health back here has made all the difference.

BTW, soap turned out great. Was worried at first, as it had "droplets" on top, but those reabsorbed. Then, some soda ash. Those were the part I saved for CP.

I HP'd the rest of the batch like "normal" and it came out just the BOMB for lather, etc! Thanks for being so generous to share your little "twists" on the recipe with us.

I'm just getting started with CP because of my ego - I wanna make beautiful designs like you gals because it would sell like crazy here. I especially love the beach/ocean themes I've been seeing, but just for tourist season. You are all so talented! What a treasure trove in your archives!

Your soaping style appeals to me - simple & elegant. Perfect for a person with lots going on or when I don't want to be tied to stirring a pot. But I think I'll add a touch of beeswax (per Irena) just to see if it eliminates the soda ash. I'm only about 400 meters from the Atlantic, so a bit humid here, even in winter. I've never heard of ash before, never seen it, but thanks to this forum, knew what it was.

Once I get the CP style down, I'll post some pictures.