Mixing Soap Colorants – A Follow-Up

August 23, 2011 by | 8 Comments

I am following up from the previous post on mixing soap colorants since I claimed that oxides and ultramarines are best dispersed in glycerin or oil, and then several soapmakers commented that they disperse their oxides and ultramarines in water.

Ruth of Sirona Springs wrote:

I use water almost exclusively with my oxides and UMs, and then only about a teaspoon. Most of the ones I use work just fine. It’s worth trying each colorant in water just to see. Only one or two really need oil, and then I use some of my oils before adding the lye.

I asked Ruth if there were certain oxides that had to be dispersed in oil, or if it varies by supplier. Her response was that it must depend on the source because she has heard of different people having different experiences.

So tonight, I decided to try it. I’m starting the sunflower soap in the PVC pipe, so I needed some yellow and brown oxides. First, I added a small amount of water to the yellow:

Water added to yellow oxide, then swirled around - no stirring
Water added to yellow oxide, then swirled around – no stirring

The yellow definitely seems to disperse in water, although it did settle to the bottom after awhile. Here’s the brown:

Brown oxide and water - looks like dirt!
Brown oxide and water – looks like dirt!

The brown oxide didn’t want to have anything to do with the water! I dumped it out and mixed more brown oxide with a tiny bit of the oils out of my recipe, and it worked much better.

So there you have it! Some oxides will disperse in water, and some won’t. And you won’t know which are which until you try.

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  1. I heard a tip once…ultra’marines’ you use water. ‘O’xides you use oil. The only thing I mix with water is UM pink, blue, and violet.

    I can’t wait to see your sunflower soap!

  3. Great example, Amy! Two oxides, two different reactions in water.
    I want to see that sunflower soap, too! I’m planning my first round soap this weekend.

  4. @Ruth – Don’t worry the sunflower soap will be on its way soon. The small pipes are poured, and I’ll finish it tomorrow morning. Hope your first round soap goes well!

  5. Amy, I’ve always mixed brown oxide in a bit of water and I’m wondering if the manufacturer of the oxide could make any difference?

  6. @Judee – Yes, I do think how the oxide is manufactured changes its solubility. I’m just not sure what makes it water soluble vs. oil soluble, so the only way to find out is to test it!

  7. I was wondering.. how much fdc to use when dispersing in 1/2 to 1 oz of castor oil..
    any keys as to percentages thanks ladies

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