Teach Soap

_________________
Debbie Chialtas

- [i]

I can certainly tell you what won't work LOL but I have yet to be successful with the liquid soap base myself. Micas not only sink to the bottom, but the color that's left turns almost a yucky brown (yes, yucky is a technical term) I used the red-blue mica, scented with pink grapefruit and now it looks gross, still smells good, but oh my that color is NOT what I wanted. I did try your jewel box colors and they held just fine, but color is certainly not my only issue.

I've mixed in a large pot, then used a funnel. Now, remember, none of my liquid soaps have worked out well. All have been VERY thin, no matter what I do. But the funnel worked just fine for me.

As far as bottles, I put my soap into an 8oz bottle that had a pump cap, so I couldn't find shrink wrap to work with the pump. The pumps were from WSP and "lock" when turned one way and "unlock" when turned the other way. I have yet to ship any, as I've said, my soaps have been less than sellable

Hope that helps a little

Brandy

Yes, micas will sink over time and they can also morph. You would be better off using Lab Colors or fd&c colors. Some fragrances thin liquid soap and some thicken it. Try the FO in a small batch and see how it behaves. For gallon of liquid soap, I would get a dispensing pump that screws right into the top of the gallon bottle. You can also fill a clean ketchup or mustard botle and fill your smaller bottles this way. Locking pump caps is the way to go. You can tape around where the top of the bottle ends and dispensing cap begins.

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

Thank you so much for the input!! This will help me a lot.

I think I'll skip the mica since that sounds a bit problematic.

I also like the idea of the pumping dispensing bottles. Since those bottles have a narrow neck, are they good for mixing or should I use a bucket instead?

Regarding shrink bands, I am using the flip tops, not pumps, so they should be fairly easy to put on.

I will definitely do some good testing of my FO's. I don't want any surprises!

Thanks a ton DenverSoap and Soapbuddy!!

_________________
Debbie Chialtas

- [i]

You're welcome Debbie. If you are coloring and scenting the whole gallon, I would take some of the base out, add the scent and color as if you were doing the whole gallon, then add that back to the gallon of base. Gently shake it back and forth (so you don't get a lot of bubbles) til it all mixes back in. I suppose you could mix it in a bucket, but then it will be hard to put it back into the gallon bottle without making a mess.

Disregard the last sentence if you are using that whole gallon right away and pouring into smaller bottles.

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

Soap Queen has a great video on liquid soap making that you should try, really easy to make on your own. I would just add that sometimes it takes a few days before a fragrance or color can mess with your soap color and texture. I have used fragrance oils that seem wonderful for an hour or so and than turn by base very thin within a few days.

_________________
Four Seasons Fine Handcrafted Soaps
& Specialties, Inc.
Laugh, Love, Live!

Thank you, soapbuddy! That is a great tip. I can see how that would make it much easier to incorporate the FO's and color into an entire gallon. I'm feeling ready to tackle it all now!

Hi Selena, thanks for the suggestion! I have a close friend who has been trying to develop the liquid soaps from scratch for her wholesale line but can't seem to get the formula right. Either the soap goes cloudy, or the FO reacts with the soap making it watery - she just can't rely on it for mass production. And if she can't do it, then I know I won't be able to!

Thanks again everyone! And if you have any more thoughts on the matter, please keep posting. I want to hear it all!

_________________
Debbie Chialtas

- [i]

Citrus oils tend to thin the base. I found my Lavender oil thickened it.

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

Were they essential oils or FO's?

_________________
Debbie Chialtas

- [i]

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

Okay, thanks so much!!

_________________
Debbie Chialtas

- [i]

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