Many of our customers purchase unscented liquid soap, shower gel and bath salts in bulk from us. Following is an overview to blending with these natural bases.

General Recommendations: Always stir the base, while slowly adding the other ingredients. Base and additives should be at about the same temperature. Always test a small sample BEFORE moving on to larger amounts. Let mixture sit for 48 hours to check for separation. Dissolve mineral oxides in a little water and add to blends (except with bath salts). We recommend using a standard sheet rock mud mixing blade on a heavy duty drill to mix 5 gallon pails. This works well for all bases, except the bath salts, which need a different mixing blade. 55 gallon drums can be broken down and mixed this way, or use a drum type mixer at low RPM and with the appropriate blade. Always stir up from the bottom, and be sure the base is homogenous before adding other ingredients. Keep an eye out for layering within the liquid or gel.

Liquid Castile Soap: Some essential oils make natural liquid soap "snotty". These include lemon, lemongrass, clove, eucalyptus, and possibly others. Test carefully when using these oils or go with a gel instead. Orange oils and other essential oils may leave the mixture and float on top if too much is used. Warm and stir to get them back in. Wait 24 hours to check for separation. Skim excess from top if needed. Any oil based or water based herbal ingredient can potentially be used. Tween 20 (polysorbate 20), will help strong essential oil blends to stay in the soap. Castile liquid soap will take 1.5% or so essential oils. This can be doubled with the addition of 5% polysorbate 20.

Castile Bath & Shower Gel: This is made by adding glycerin and vegetable gums to liquid soap. It is milder and easier to work with. This is the world's first no-detergent, natural shower gel base. Gels are actually a colloidal liquid and tend to get thicker towards the bottom. Stir well before using. Castile GEL is ideal for strong essential oils, and will take many natural and artificial scents well. Can be adjusted to any viscosity. from a thin gel to "how do you pour it?". Our normal viscosity is a warm honey like consistency.

Bath Salts: We recommend mixing these with a smaller, propeller type blade. Plunge the tool up and down while stirring about 1/2 bucket at a time. Add mineral oxides and dry herbs, mix well, then add scent. Bath salts can take double the essential oils soaps can hold!