Teach Soap

Soo the title says it all. All of my research says to sterilize in a weak bleach solution. The problem is I HATE bleach. When I get around it my nose starts to bleed profusely and I feel dizzy. What else can I use to sterilize my equipment?

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~~Heather~~
Mad [soaping] Scientist

Rubbing alcohol will sanitize, but will not sterilize. Heat is required to sterilize anything. For most home crafters, true sterilization is not possible. If you have a dish washer with a hot cycle, you can purchase sanitizing tabs in a restaurant supply store. If what you want to sanitize can take heat, put your oven on to 170 (I think) and leave whatever is in there for 20 minutes. You can also purchase a sanitizer cabinet like spas use to sanitize implements for facials.

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

I guess I need to sanitize my mixing pot, spatulas, whisk, spoons and measuring vessels. Am I missing anything? Not taking on this endeavor yet, but soon!

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~~Heather~~
Mad [soaping] Scientist

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

They will be my workshop tools. Only used for body care manufacturing!

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~~Heather~~
Mad [soaping] Scientist

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

you can not sterilize at 70 C. You need steam under pressure , e.g. 121 C @ 2bars for 20 Minutes for sterilization and the spores are eliminated only by sterilization and not by disinfection.
However, if you are applying a preservative, which you are very probably , you don't need to sterilize. Disinfection and sanitizing suffice. You can disinfect your instruments in an ultrasound bath (a simple kitchen or optician instrument is suitable). There are special solutions suitable for different material such as plastic, stainless steel a.s.o. Some of them should be diluted with water, some are ready to use.
Hydrogen Peroxide is an excellent disinfectant as barquentine has mentioned. Isopropyl alcohol or ethanol are other easy to apply disinfectants for instruments and vessel.

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Genius is 1 % inspiration and 99 % perspiration

This is probably a silly question, but what percent of rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) is needed for sanitizing equipment and containers? I picked up 70 percent at the store this week, but also saw 91 percent (I think) there. Would my 70 percent work?

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Carrie
Wife to my Best Friend and Homeschool mom to 7 beautiful gifts

I use the 91% isopropyl alcohol.

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

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Genius is 1 % inspiration and 99 % perspiration

Wow....that's a detailed answer! So.....just to clarify....you can use the rubbing alcohol at 70 percent, but it is more effective at 91?

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Carrie
Wife to my Best Friend and Homeschool mom to 7 beautiful gifts

Thank you, inspiration!

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

Just a thought...I used special bags to clean my babies bottles in the micro, would they work for your cleaning of small things. They where so simple to use, tiny bit of water, put stuff in, close bag and heat it up...voila!

They are made by Medela(same company that makes the breast pumps)

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