| Author |
Cleaning Up:  What's your favorite technique for goats milk soap  |
|
|
lamarguerite farm
True Blue Farmgirl
649 Posts
missy
Battle Ground
Wa
USA
649 Posts |
 Posted - May 01 2007 : 11:27:36 AM
|
I have been wanting to make goats milk soap for a really long time. I just started getting our fresh milk again from a local dairy and decided to just go for it. I made a slurry out of the milk in the freezer and added the lye slowly, but I don't think I did it slowly enough. The color did turn slightly, but not too bad. It was creamy when I poured it into the mold, but I did notice some very tiny "curds" here and there and they are still in the soap now after taking it out of the mold. How do I know when goat's milk soap is a bad batch? I did notice an amonia smell from the lye and milk and in the soap right after I cut it. Is that normal? I've read that it can smell strong for a few days, but I'm not sure what that smell is supposed to be like. I've done some research on-line, but I would love to hear from my fellow farmgirls that may be more experienced in making goats milk soap.
Thanks and Blessings,
Missy
If you have a dream, even if you don't feel qualified to accomplish it, just try your hardest.-Maggie Jensen
http://18happyhens.blogspot.com
www.LaMargueriteFarm.com |
|
|
JudyBlueEyes
True Blue Farmgirl
657 Posts
Judith
Spokane
Washington
USA
657 Posts |
Posted - May 01 2007 : 12:09:07 PM
|
Well, Missy, I can add my two cents worth, since I just rushed two batches of GMS and will now have to rebatch them, something I dislike doing...
What works best for me is to actually freeze the milk...not just slurry it. Then I let it set out for a half hour to an hour (depending on how hot it is that day) and start to defrost. I add the lye slowly, and just start chipping away at it. I have always had it turn a little off white, it just depends on how hot the lye/milk solution gets. If I see it heating up too much, I will put my lye/milk bucket in a bowl of ice water.
The ammonia smell is normal and will go away with time.
I have seen the curds in my soap, too, and always just figured that was some of the fat in the goat milk that couldn't wait for the other oils and had to go and saponify while I was mixing the lye. I have no scientific knowledge of this, it is just my guess.
I would say the way to know if GMS is a bad batch is if it has the lye sting if you do the tongue test. That's what I do.
Now for my two batches :-( ------there is really no excuse, I just let the milk/lye get too hot and I know better - I just didn't want to go upstairs to the kitchen and break out the ice cubes. I told myself by the time I did that, the milk would have gotten super hot and so just go with what I had. One batch _seems_ to be setting up, the other one is still leaking oil, so I will definitely have to rebatch that and use it for home use...sigh.
Hope this helps, Judy
The Rooster crows, but the Hen lays the egg. ~ Texas Proverb |
 |
|
|
lamarguerite farm
True Blue Farmgirl
649 Posts
missy
Battle Ground
Wa
USA
649 Posts |
Posted - May 01 2007 : 12:38:52 PM
|
Thank you so much Judy. That was definately helpful. At least I know I didn't totally mess up the batch. Do you let yours cure a full 4 weeks?
Blessings,
Missy
If you have a dream, even if you don't feel qualified to accomplish it, just try your hardest.-Maggie Jensen
http://18happyhens.blogspot.com
www.LaMargueriteFarm.com |
|
|
|
windypines
True Blue Farmgirl
4179 Posts
Michele
Bruce
Wisconsin
USA
4179 Posts |
Posted - May 01 2007 : 5:07:15 PM
|
| Hey Missy, I got the recipe I use off of the Ponte Verda web site. No freezing milk, watching for the right temp, it is so easy. I have made maybe 6-7 batches, and never had any problems. I love the soap too. Just google it and you will find the site. I cure mine for a month, have cheated and used it a day or two early, when I was out of soap. Michele |
|
|
|
lamarguerite farm
True Blue Farmgirl
649 Posts
missy
Battle Ground
Wa
USA
649 Posts |
Posted - May 01 2007 : 8:01:46 PM
|
Thanks Michele!! I've been to their site in the past. I'll go check it out!
Blessings,
Missy
If you have a dream, even if you don't feel qualified to accomplish it, just try your hardest.-Maggie Jensen
http://18happyhens.blogspot.com
www.LaMargueriteFarm.com |
|
|
|
lamarguerite farm
True Blue Farmgirl
649 Posts
missy
Battle Ground
Wa
USA
649 Posts |
Posted - May 01 2007 : 8:11:06 PM
|
I just took a look at the recipe. I'll have to give it a try. Do you girl's use the grapefruit seed extract for a preservative? Most of the recipes I saw didn't call for it.
If you have a dream, even if you don't feel qualified to accomplish it, just try your hardest.-Maggie Jensen
http://18happyhens.blogspot.com
www.LaMargueriteFarm.com |
|
|
|
BotanicalBath
True Blue Farmgirl
1014 Posts
Elizabeth
Ohio
1014 Posts |
Posted - May 01 2007 : 10:44:34 PM
|
Eeek... Goats milk soap.... I have not made it for years.
If I were to make it again with fresh goats milk.... and not powdered.
I would make it half goats milk and half water. Make the lye solution "double strength" let it cool to room temp.(BTW your lye and oils do not need to be the same temp). After it cools I would add Cold goats milk from the fridge. Stir well... the ammonia smell is normal. Make soap as usual. If you let it go into gel, it may over heat and turn brownish. If you pour individual molds, it will gel, but probably wont over heat. You can stick it in the freezer, which will just slow down the saponification, it will take a long time to cure, but will make the whitest bars.
Taste testing soap.... If your soap goes into gel, it should be ready to use right away, if it doesnt you will want to wait a while... taste it... there is no mistake when the lye is still active.
It will smell better the older and harder it gets. You can always add a little lavender essential oil, and baby oatmeal in nice and not too scratchy.
All my soap goes into gel... and it is ready to pull out of molds in 12 hours and cut. I usually like it to "dry out for 10 days before I label... most of the shrinkage happens in the first 10 days.
Grapefruit seed extract is not needed in soap. SMC book say to add it, but her superfat level is about 15%. I also think she uses way too much water. Most soapmakers shoot for about 5% superfat. The GSE is supposed to chase off DOS and the rancid funk. If you have a good recipe... you shouldnt have a problem.
E- |
|
|
|
windypines
True Blue Farmgirl
4179 Posts
Michele
Bruce
Wisconsin
USA
4179 Posts |
Posted - May 02 2007 : 04:24:42 AM
|
| Missy, last couple of batches that I made, I did not use the grapefruit seed extract or the essential oil. The first few times I did, cause I thought I better follow the recipe. I think I read it is an antioxident, (sp?), and a preservative. But like I say, it is a very simple to make recipe, and has worked for me. Next time I am going to try using my cow milk, since I don't have any goats. Michele |
|
|
|
lamarguerite farm
True Blue Farmgirl
649 Posts
missy
Battle Ground
Wa
USA
649 Posts |
Posted - May 02 2007 : 08:52:38 AM
|
Thanks so much!! you have been a really big help!! I'll just try letting my lye/water solution cool down the next time before adding the milk. The smell is beginning to tone down now. I cut it on Sunday. I don't think I messed up too terribly for my first ever batch of milk soap. I found a really neat book at the library yesterday. It's a small one but has really nice blends of essential oils and natural additives. It's called Soap: Handmade, pure and natural by Tatyana Hill. She has beautiful rustic looking soaps and I'm definately inspired to try some new soaps.
Thanks again and Blessings,
Missy
If you have a dream, even if you don't feel qualified to accomplish it, just try your hardest.-Maggie Jensen
http://18happyhens.blogspot.com
www.LaMargueriteFarm.com |
|
|
|
celebrate2727
True Blue Farmgirl
989 Posts
Beth
MJF
Farmgirl
989 Posts |
|
|
windypines
True Blue Farmgirl
4179 Posts
Michele
Bruce
Wisconsin
USA
4179 Posts |
Posted - May 02 2007 : 11:00:30 AM
|
| Beth, I used raw goat milk, from a friend. Michele |
|
|
|
lamarguerite farm
True Blue Farmgirl
649 Posts
missy
Battle Ground
Wa
USA
649 Posts |
Posted - May 02 2007 : 12:15:57 PM
|
I'm using raw as well, but it was recommended by the dairy to pasteurize it before using it in the soap. I heard about your new endeavor Beth. Best wishes on that!! Maybe we can share our successes and failures as we go through the learning process?! haha
Blessings,
Missy
If you have a dream, even if you don't feel qualified to accomplish it, just try your hardest.-Maggie Jensen
http://18happyhens.blogspot.com
www.LaMargueriteFarm.com |
|
|
|
celebrate2727
True Blue Farmgirl
989 Posts
Beth
MJF
Farmgirl
989 Posts |
|
|
BotanicalBath
True Blue Farmgirl
1014 Posts
Elizabeth
Ohio
1014 Posts |
Posted - May 03 2007 : 08:13:28 AM
|
I have no idea why you would have to pasteurize the milk before adding it to soap unless it was melt & pour. the process of making soap will kill just about everything because of the lye, most microbes can only survive in a small pH range.
E-
BotanicalBath@peoplepc.com |
|
|
|
celebrate2727
True Blue Farmgirl
989 Posts
Beth
MJF
Farmgirl
989 Posts |
|
|
lamarguerite farm
True Blue Farmgirl
649 Posts
missy
Battle Ground
Wa
USA
649 Posts |
Posted - May 03 2007 : 10:39:53 AM
|
I didn't think about the heat of the soap and the lye killing any bacteria that might be there. That will definately eliminate a step!! Beth-Kay is my Mom. I wasn't sure if you knew that or not. I'm excited for your new opportunity and I'll definately share anything new that I learn.
Blessings,
Missy
If you have a dream, even if you don't feel qualified to accomplish it, just try your hardest.-Maggie Jensen
http://18happyhens.blogspot.com
www.LaMargueriteFarm.com |
|
|
|
celebrate2727
True Blue Farmgirl
989 Posts
Beth
MJF
Farmgirl
989 Posts |
|
|
lamarguerite farm
True Blue Farmgirl
649 Posts
missy
Battle Ground
Wa
USA
649 Posts |
Posted - May 03 2007 : 6:06:07 PM
|
I'm using nubian milk and it has a higher butter fat content. I'm guessing this would make an even more moisturizing soap?! I've noticed that my fresh nubian milk doesn't have the "goaty" smell or taste.
Blessings,
Missy
If you have a dream, even if you don't feel qualified to accomplish it, just try your hardest.-Maggie Jensen
http://18happyhens.blogspot.com
www.LaMargueriteFarm.com |
|
|
| |
Cleaning Up: What's your favorite technique for goats milk soap |
|
What's your favorite technique for goats milk soap
