Genuine Violet Soap.

Waikato Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1824, 15 March 1884, Page 2 (Supplement)

Genuine Violet Soap.

Genuine violet soap, which is generally sold in square lumps, marked " Finest perfumed old brown violet soap," enjoys the greatest approval of consumers on account of its agreeable odor. It is certainly made in every large manufactory of toilet soap 3, but there are great discrepancies as regards the manner of its manufacture and the composition of the scent. The writer has for many years used the following process for making a very fine violet soap in the cold way. The process is as follows: — Finest cocoanut oil, 48 pounds; fresh tallow, 14 pounds; best Lagos palm oil, 1£ pounds. Melt together. To a portion of the fat while still hot add 2 pounds of powdered and alcoholized orris root, and 2£ pounds powdered and alcoholized bergamot rind, equally distributed. The manipulation is best effected by sifting the perfumes into a large mortar, rubbing continually, and adding more fat until a homogenous and moderately fluid mass has been formed, which is then added to the mass in the pan In the same manner 1^ pounds of liquid storax is dissolved in some pounds of the mixed fat with the aid of heat, and the liquid mass is carefully strained through a cloth into the pan. The whole mixture of fat is then allowed to cool down to OOdeg. F., and 31 pounds soda lye and 1 pound potash lye, at 66deg. Tw., are crutched in the usual manner. Before putting in the forms the soap is further perfumed with — Mitcham oil of lavender, 250 grains ; bergamot oil, 135 grains ; sassafras oil, 75 grains ; balsam of Peru, 70 grains ; Ceyloa oil of cinnamon, 10 grains ; musk, 2 to 3 grains. The musk is ground fine, moistened with the oils, and worked into the soap. The soap when first cut has not a very fine color, and the smell is far from agreeable. In the course of fourteen days it takes a good brown color, and the odor improves with age. Chemical Review.