Sunday, May 10, 2020

Laurel Berry Part 2

 The next morning the Aleppo soap was ready to unmold. Big difference. All that green sludge turned to a light tan. The fragrance was a bit milder also. 



 Aleppo soap is traditionally stamped with a big bold design but I only had some little soap stamps. I went with the peace dove.



 Since my previous attempts at soap stamping have been dismal I did some homework. I tried using plastic wrap between the stamp and soap and it worked. Now I have an army of little Aleppo soaps tucked away for their long cure.



 The next soap to be made was more Plain Ole Goat. I had just enough goat's milk powder left for one batch.



 I've been using this soap for washing produce and other things that I don't want scented. I think it needs to go into permanent rotation.



 Then........when I was organizing the curing racks I found this. This is bad. This is called Dreaded Orange Spot. It means your soap needs to be tossed. It won't hurt you but it's not very nice to see. I found it on one of the Castile soap batches that is curing for a year. I have no idea why this newly made soap did this. It's usually a question of the shelf life of your oils.  To get a naturally white soap I used a very light, expensive food grade olive oil for this batch. I am not happy. Since I am going through hand soap like crazy I've been dipping into my ancient soap bins-some of the bars are at least 4 years old and no spots on any of them so this is heartbreaking.



I went ahead and tested those white Castile bars and found them not as nice as the first batch I made where I used my regular olive oil. I love that soap. I wondered why people described this type of soap as slimy. Now I see why. I couldn't get it to lather much at all. It made a very creamy lather that might be nice for your face but terrible in the tub.
Oh well, I guess you can't win 'em all.

8 comments:

  1. Your soap posts fascinate me. It all sounds so technical. Mix this with that, but never with this. I would fail so fantastically. I know I would.
    I really like your new Allepo soap with the dove on it. Beautiful!
    Blessings,
    Betsy

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  2. I love the soap that you have stamped. It just makes it even more special. I had never heard of the dreaded orange spot. How disappointing and frustrating especially since you don't know the cause. I bet you figure out the problem though.

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  3. Just beautiful stamping on the soap! I would use the soap-spots and all! DH is going to the store an goat's milk is on the list!

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    1. I just ordered some more myself. My latest loaf didn't turn out and I am determined to get it right. Story to come.

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  4. I had no idea that you could stamp soap! You are so talented.

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  5. I can see you are having soap fun! :)

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  6. You amaze me with your soap making skills even if one small batch did not do well you are incredible!

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  7. I think it would break my heart to toss out all that soap.

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