Safety when working with Potassim Hydroxide

Guest Author - Angela Chinhing

As a nurse I would like to emphasize the importance of wearing protective gear and following safety precautions when making soap. During soap making many things can go wrong. Accidents can be prevented by working in a more organized method. However, prepare for the unexpected.Raw KOH in water has a PH of 13.5, this means it will irritate skin and mucosal tissue like an acid. During the Saponification process there are two different types of injury that can occur. Irritation from a corrosive chemical and burns because the chemical’s temperature is above 160F. KOH added to water is an exothermic reaction, it generates heat, lots of it.

Your work area should have a sink available in case you need to rinse. Vinegar should be within easy accessible reach. Contact with skin can cause deep penetrating slow healing ulcers. If the skin comes in contact rinse with vinegar then water for up to 15 minuets, even if it is not hurting. Contact with the eye can cause severe damage even blindness. There should also be an eyewash solution in case of splashes to your eye. Rinse with eyewash solution for 10-15 minutes then seek medical attention. Poison control number should be by the phone. If you make soap alone at home someone should be aware that you do.

Never eat or drink in you work area while making soap.

Protective gear will only protect you if it is worn properly. If you wear glasses, invest in a face shield, if not, then wear goggles. The goggles should be able to protect your eyes from splashes and liquid dripping into your eyes.

KOH is more corrosive than NAOH. The severity of the injury depends on the injury with this alkali depends on the duration of contact, the concentration of the solution and the temperature of the solution.

IF you have never seen or looked up a MSDS (Material Data Safety Sheet) look up KOH, it is available online. A Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) is designed to provide proper procedures for handling or working with a particular substance. MSDS's include information such as toxicity, health effects, first aid, storage, disposal, protective equipment, and spill/leak procedures. These are of particular use if a spill or other accident occurs.

PREVENTION IS LESS PAINFUL THAN TREATMENT

Reprinted with permission from Winsome Tapper, Soapmaking Editor,www.Bellaonline.com/site/soapmaking

Source: http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art63697.asp/zzz

Advanced CP Soap Class Pictures

I had the opportunity to be a teaching assistant for Ruth Esteves's Advanced Cold Process Soap class at The Nova Studio on 10/25/09.

Ruth just sent the pictures and I wanted to share them so you can see what is demonstrated during the class - http://www.flickr.com/photos/41788645@N04/sets/72157622602370597/.

If you are interested in taking this class at The Nova Studio, the next class is offered on 12/7/009.  Here is a complete class description - http://www.thenovastudio.com/description_ruth_advCPdesign.html.

If by chance you cannot make this time around, then I would suggest checking The Nova Studio's website (http://www.thenovastudio.com/) to see when the next time it is offerred.

Fragrance Test Results from Symphony Scents

If you have purchased fragrance oils from Symphony Scents and would like to know the results of how they work in Cold Process Soapmaking, here is a helpful chart that can answer all of your questions.

http://symphonyscents.com/cpsoap.html

If you are a melt and pour soapmaker, here are the fragrance results for your method.

http://symphonyscents.com/mpsoap.html

Autumn Air Freshners

by Allison B. Kontur
www.BathBodySupply.com

If you missed our Sachet Bead Tutorial previously, you can revisitPart 1, Part 2 & Part 3.

For this project, you will need:

8 oz Sachet Beads
2.5 oz Fragrance Oil
Mica
Titanium Dioxide Powder - Oil Soluble

We used the following combinations of scent & color:

• Buttercream Flavor Fragrance + 2 parts Titanium Dioxide (Oil Soluble) + 1 part Radiant Gold Mica
• Cinnamon Roll Fragrance Oil with Radiant Beige Mica

Phase 1: Measure sachet beads, mica and fragrance oil into a glass jar that has a tightly fitting lid.

Phase 2: Cover with a lid and allow to sit for up to 1 week. Agitate several times a day. The beads will eventually absorb the fragrance oil and become dry to the touch. Some fragrances absorb quickly and others require longer to absorb. Be sure to agitate frequently to ensure color and fragrance are distributed uniformly.

Phase 3: When beads have dried, pack them into a metal cookie cutter (the ring type) to about 1/4" deep. For best results, place your cookie cutters on a non-stick baking surface before filling.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place cookie sheet in oven for 5-10 minutes. Keep careful watch over your ornaments to prevent them from completely melting. The sachet beads will melt slightly and run together, but will not completely flatten out. The beads will retain a slightly bumpy appearance on top. Some smoking is normal as some fragrance oil will burn off.

When time is up, allow ornaments to cool completely before removing the cookie cutter. The ornaments will appear to be stuck to the cookie sheet, but will lift away rather easily. A nail or other sharp object can be used to poke a hole through the top of your ornament. Tie with jute, cord, or ribbon and package.

Note: It is best to hang these air-fresheners rather than to lay them on any surface as the fragrance and/or mica may damage plastic or upholstered surfaces.

Source: http://bathbodysupply.blogspot.com/2009/09/recipe-autumn-inspired-air-fresheners.html

Cranberry Pumpkin Salt Scrub

This fragrant Salt Scrub is packed with skin loving ingredients that can help to soften and moisturize your skin. Pumpkin Seed Oil contains high levels of zinc, and vitamins A, C, E, and K. Cranberry Seed Oil is rich in antioxidants, and essential fatty acids. All of this natural goodness can help to improve your skin's condition while mineral rich Bolivian Pink Salt provides exfoliation and stimulates circulation. This simple scrub is quick and easy to make, and a pleasure to use. We've added Polysorbate 20 to this recipe to make it rinsable, and Cranberry Fragrance Oil to enhance the scrub's aroma. For an all natural scrub, simply leave out these two ingredients and double the amount of Cranberry Seed Oil and Pumpkin Seed Oil.

Cranberry Pumpkin Salt Scrub
Makes about 4 Ounces

Ingredients

1/2 cup Bolivian Pink Salt, Fine
1/2 ounce Pumpkin Seed Oil
1/2 ounce Cranberry Seed Oil
1/2 teaspoon Cranberry Fruit Fiber
1/2 teaspoon Cranberry Fruit Seeds
1 ounce Polysorbate 20
1/2 teaspoon Cranberry Fragrance Oil

Directions

In a small mixing bowl, combine the Pumpkin Seed Oil, Cranberry Seed Oil, Polysorbate 20, and Cranberry Fragrance Oil. Stir the liquids well to make sure they are fully combined. Next, add the Bolivian Pink Salt and stir again, making sure to break up any clumps in the salt. Add the Cranberry Fruit Fiber and Cranberry Fruit Seeds and mix well. A natural or synthetic preservative may be added to this recipe at your own discretion. For information on preservatives, please visit our informational library.

Packaging & Usage


Spoon the mixture into a PET plastic Jar. Make sure that the top of the jar and the lid are totally free from oil before you cap the jar. Any oil on the lid or the top of the jar can cause the scrub to leak. In a sealed container, this scrub should last several months, but after it is opened it can easily become contaminated during use. Keeping the jar away from water, and using clean utensils to scoop out the scrub will help to keep it from becoming contaminated. You can also package the scrub in single serving containers so that they will be used up completely after they opened.

There are many scrubbing techniques out there, but this is one I am particularly fond of. Step into the shower and before turning the water on, scrub your body all over! (Of course, avoiding very sensitive areas or broken skin.) When you are thoroughly scrubbed, turn the shower on and rinse. When the shower is over, make sure to moisturize your skin with a body oil, cream, or lotion.

To Make an All Natural Version

Simply double the amount of oils, and leave out the Polysorbate 20 and Fragrance Oil. An Essential Oil can be added or you can leave the scrub unscented.

Now you can purchase all the ingredients and packaging you'll need to create around our Cranberry Pumpkin Salt Scrub in our Body Care Craft Kit for just $20.00! Body Care Craft Kits or finished cookies make excellent, affordable holiday gifts.

Source: http://www.naturalbeautyworkshop.com/my_weblog/scrub_of_the_month/