clay in soap

[rodd]

I started making melt and pour shave soaps recently, just because I thought it sounded interesting. I am using this basic "recipe"
http://candleandsoap.about.com/od/soaprecipes/a/mpshavingsoap.htm

I bought melt and pour shave soap base on ebay, and some bentonite clay on ebay. I have some EOs and FOs already. I made a batch, but I had a really hard time getting the bentonite to dissolve in the soap. I ended up with a peppered look, fortunately when I grind a wet brush in it it moistens up and works great, but I was wondering if anyone has any tips on how to make this dissolve better? Also, am hoping to make a lavender soap, but I heard that lavender EO can be irritating to skin, should I use FO instead, or have people had luck with EO? Thank you!

[Queen of Blades]

Try making the bentonite clay into a paste before adding it to the soap base. That should take care of the peppered look, or rather clumps of clay.

Lavender EO is fine to use. You just need to know how much EO to use for the amount of soap you are making.

[Scorpio]

I started making melt and pour shave soaps recently, just because I thought it sounded interesting. I am using this basic "recipe"
http://candleandsoap.about.com/od/soaprecipes/a/mpshavingsoap.htm

I bought melt and pour shave soap base on ebay, and some bentonite clay on ebay. I have some EOs and FOs already. I made a batch, but I had a really hard time getting the bentonite to dissolve in the soap. I ended up with a peppered look, fortunately when I grind a wet brush in it it moistens up and works great, but I was wondering if anyone has any tips on how to make this dissolve better? Also, am hoping to make a lavender soap, but I heard that lavender EO can be irritating to skin, should I use FO instead, or have people had luck with EO? Thank you!

I use Lavender EO with no problems at all. Just like JoAnna mentioned how much you add depends on the amount of soap you are making. For just one puck of soap about 3/4 to 1in thick I use about 4 to 5 drops of lavender EO. I like to smell the scent without it being overpowering. The scent will be there when you lather. Others like to really get a strong scent so they add more EO or FO. That is one of the great aspects of soapmaking you can personalize your soap to your liking.

Raf

[Scorpio]

I am also working on a list of links for soap supplies from MP to CP to EO and FO's. The list will be posted soon.

Raf

[rodd]

Thank you all very much! As for making the clay in to a paste, mix with water? Could I mix the clay with my EO to make the paste, then mix that in? A list of links would be great. Thanks!

[Queen of Blades]

As for making the clay in to a paste, mix with water? Could I mix the clay with my EO to make the paste, then mix that in?

I don't know about mixing the clay with water or EO.

How much clay , and EO, are you using? Chances are it isn't enough EO being used to turn the clay into paste really.

Try adding another liquid/oil to the mix. Aloe Vera, glycerin, Sweet Almond Oil, etc.

[rodd]

I have only made one batch, and I just tried to stir the clay in. I think I made about half a pound, and stirred in about a teaspoon of clay. Did not dissolve, When you said make a paste, did you just mean grind it, or mix it with a liquid? I like the idea of adding another oil to make the paste, but I have heard that some of the oils can hinder your lather, and I did not want to mess with that until I had a better idea what they would do. I have to be honest and tell you I did not measure the FO when I made my last batch, I would guess about 1/4 oz, lightly fragrant, but I think it smells good. I used brambleberry cold water FO with that batch, but I am thinking about making a lavender and an orange batch. I just happen to have a lot of lavender EO sitting around.

[Queen of Blades]

When you said make a paste, did you just mean grind it, or mix it with a liquid? I like the idea of adding another oil to make the paste, but I have heard that some of the oils can hinder your lather, and I did not want to mess with that until I had a better idea what they would do. I have to be honest and tell you I did not measure the FO when I made my last batch, I would guess about 1/4 oz, lightly fragrant, but I think it smells good. I used brambleberry cold water FO with that batch, but I am thinking about making a lavender and an orange batch. I just happen to have a lot of lavender EO sitting around.

Mix the clay with the oil ,trying to get any clay lumps out of the mixture, before adding it to the melted soap base

The oils I named above shouldn't hinder your lather.

From what I've read, certain oils that will hinder lather only do so if you use too much of them.

Measuring is important, whether it be a certain number of drops or measuring spoons.

When I was developing my soap, I kept written notes of each batch, with measurements and notes.

[rodd]

Thanks for the advice. I will give it a try!

[ltlsuz]

hmmm, I just crush and mash the clay as much as possible with my spoon. It never disolves completely. The soap works great. So I think that to have it not be seen may just be a preference? Let me know if you think it works better totally dissolved, I may have to rethink a few things......:rolleyes:
Susie

[Queen of Blades]

I think it works better totally dissolved, but........

When I first started making my soap, I used shea butter in it. Then I discovered the shea butter was killing the lather. By that time I had already figured out the whole "completely dissolving the clay" thing.

So, I don't really know if it works better.

It sure does look better though. :o

[ltlsuz]

hmmm, hmmm, hmmm, I think I may have to give this a try sometime!;)
see an old lady can still learn a few things, every now and then:ashamed001
Susie

[Scorpio]

I also dissolve the clay in a mix as, recommended to me, by JoAnna . As far as I can tell it makes a difference. The paste will mix and dissolve easily in the base. This also works when adding bentonite clay to the CP mix.

Raf

[rodd]

Starting to think I got some junk clay. I made another small batch last night, and I tried to make a paste with the clay and some glycerin. It did not want to grind up much for me. I still ended up with the peppered look, but the grains were slightly smaller. I was wondering if humidity had gotten to the clay or something, or why it would not grind up well. I am basically doing a mortar and pedestal set up, trying to grind it, then adding glycerin in until I got a paste, but apparently it is just the chunks sticking together. I thought about trying to bake the clay first to see if drying it out first helped, but I thought I would consult the experts first. It actually works really well, a wet brush seems to let it expand and it does add a lot of slip, but it does not look pretty. ;) Maybe I should let the mixture sit for longer and absorb the glycerin for a while, then try it. I basically just tried to grind them together. Anyone with some experience have any advice? Thanks!

[Queen of Blades]

Starting to think I got some junk clay. I made another small batch last night, and I tried to make a paste with the clay and some glycerin. It did not want to grind up much for me. I still ended up with the peppered look, but the grains were slightly smaller. I was wondering if humidity had gotten to the clay or something, or why it would not grind up well. I am basically doing a mortar and pedestal set up, trying to grind it, then adding glycerin in until I got a paste, but apparently it is just the chunks sticking together. I thought about trying to bake the clay first to see if drying it out first helped, but I thought I would consult the experts first. It actually works really well, a wet brush seems to let it expand and it does add a lot of slip, but it does not look pretty. ;) Maybe I should let the mixture sit for longer and absorb the glycerin for a while, then try it. I basically just tried to grind them together. Anyone with some experience have any advice? Thanks!

How much clay and how much glycerin are you using?

[rodd]

about a teaspoon of each to 1/2 lb of base.

edit: I have heard about people using extracts from the grocery store in their soaps, ie: lemon, vanilla, etc. Is this a good idea? For some reason I thought these would get stickier than EOs. I am dieing to find a local source for lime though. I don't want to pay 3X as much in shipping as for the oil/extract.

[Queen of Blades]

Try less clay, or more glycerin perhaps.

Not sure the clay will completely dissolve though, even with a mortar and pestle. I don't use a mortar and pestle, so I don't know.

As for the extracts, I don't have any idea. But a local health store should have essential oils.

[rodd]

Thank you very much for your help everyone. I think I got my problem figured out. I tried grinding up my clay quite a bit before making the clay. I think that the grains were just too big, so it was just too noticeable. After grinding it down, and breaking it down with a razor a bit, and using a bit more glycerine as JoAnna recommended, it mixed in really well. Thanks!