Fresh Food in Soap Help. (please)

[Red Alibi]

Now I've been thinking about making soap for christmas this year and have been looking for some soap idea's around the place and there's just one thing that is confusing the hell out of me:

If you would use fruit/vegetables in soap, won't it rot?

I mean, avocado or cucumber soap would go very rancid, right? and even orange rind soap.. stuff like that.

So, is there something I'm missing? Does soap act as a preservative or is there something you can/have to add to make sure the soap can last longer than a week out of the fridge  ?

[betzi]

i am by no means an expert (i've only done M&P, and not even for that long) but i'm thinking that if its dried, orange rind won't go bad for quite some time.  think about those dried oranges you can make at christmas time--the ones with the cloves?--those last FOREVER and i've never had one go bad on me.  they usually fall apart before they go bad.  as for the other stuff--i haven't the foggiest.  but i'm pretty sure with cucumber, you just use the extract.

[Red Alibi]

no, Ive seen recipies calling for mushed cucumber.. 

And the dried oranges.. won't they get wet when the soap gets used? And that might then result in mould or other ickyness?

[betzi]

well i was googling this and found out that you can add preservative to your soap.  its called benzoine, and i assume you can find at soap suppliers like bramble berry.

[Red Alibi]

Not to find bramble berry in Holland 

I tried to google it, think it's benzoin

this is what I've found:

Uses - Benzoin oil is helpful for treating asthma, bronchitis, colds & flu, soothing sore throats & treating arthritis, & rheumatism. Not strictly an essential oil but a Resinoid, produced from the resin using solvents like alcohol and benzene, which are removed and the result is dissolved in ethyl glycol or similar. The antiseptic properties are good for cuts, chapped, inflamed or irritated skin conditions. It acts as a carminative when taken internally is rapidly absorbed, and mildly expectorant diuretic and antiseptic to the urinary passages. In the form of Compound Tincture of Benzoin, it is used as an inhalant with steam in laryngitis and bronchitis. It is a preservative of fats, and is often used for that purpose.

Cautions - Has been known to cause allergic reactions, perform a skin test before use.
-dilute before use.


Hmm Allergic reactions thing... not so good
It doesn't say anything about conserving anything other than fats.. hmm, I think it's getting there, but not just yet   

[MartinsvilleEmporium]

Fruits and veggies used in traditional soapmaking methods (not melt & pour) won't go bad because soap is basically a salt, and salts are used to preserve things.

Also, mold needs water to grow, and there's not a whole lot of water in soap when it's cured.

That's my theory, and I'm sticking to it.

I recently participated in a food soap swap with other soapmakers and there was everything from avocado to chocolate to eggplant. I used whole milk yogurt in mine. They're all fine, several months later.

Unless you keep it in an uber-humid area, my guess is that the superfatting oils will go rancid before the foodstuffs do.

[betzi]

good to know, and very interesting!  i'd love to try out some eggplant soap! 

[brokendove]

Hi,

I have an article on my website which was written by a soaper ( I dabble so Iam not a soaper yet..   )might be of help
http://www.craftbits.com/viewProject.do?projectID=746

But I have never added preservatives to my own soaps, but then again mine don't hang around long enough to go bad as they are usually used straight away...

it really depends on how long u intend to keep the soaps.

[JK22292]

I am new at all this and have been looking at a bunch of websites on how to make soap. On one it said not to use fresh fruits and vegetables in glycerin soaps because they will mold and dried herbs will turn brown. I was wondering if that was true because I seem to be getting mixed messages about it. Thanks!

[MareMare]

I don't know about the mold thing, but lots of dried herbs do turn brown. It's kind of a bummer when you think you've made it all pretty and then it is icky brown later! What all were you wanting to use?