When and how to use water soluble titamium dioxide

by Jo Dagon
(Anchorage Alaska)

I am successfully making lye soap with olive oil, sweet almond, coconut 76 degree... The soaps lather beautifully but are very dark. I know if I use a lighter oil they will color lighter ...I want to make WHITE soap.. I have titanium white water soluable....do I mix this with water and put in the lye? Must I use the hot process method to get a good white bar?

I love the white look and want to successfully make that look.

any help would be appreciated.

Jo dagon@alaska.net

Answer:

To make a whiter soap, start with the base oils. The whiter they are the better. If you are using Extra Virgin olive oil, switch to a lower grade that has a golden colour...not green.

Next check to see what scent oils you are using. Many essential and fragrance oils will discolour the soap base. Anything with spices can darken the base and vanilla or coconut can turn the soap brown. Many fragrance oils contain a vanilla component.

If you want to use water soluble titanium dioxide, simply reserve a small amount of the water and dissolve the titanium dioxide powder into it until no lumps remain. Add this mix to the soap once it has reached a light trace, just before you add the scent oils. Make sure to stick blend it in very well.

As for using the hot process method to make a whiter soap...I've never heard that before.

Remember that the soap will only be as white as its ingredients. If you want a really white soap, you must use really clear or white base oils. The titanium dioxide will give the soap a whiter look but it will only do so much...it can't turn a beige soap into a white one.

Good luck,
Cathy