Why I Wait 3 Weeks Before I Make Golden Bloom
If you’ve ever picked up one of my Golden Bloom bars and wondered why I make such a big deal about turmeric, I thought I’d let you in on a little part of my soapmaking process.
When I first started making turmeric soap, I did what I think most soap makers do—I dumped the turmeric powder right into the soap batter.
It worked just fine.
Honestly, I even thought the little speckles looked kind of pretty.
But after making a few batches, I kept wondering if there was a better way. That’s when I started experimenting with infusing turmeric into olive oil instead.
I’ve never been very good at leaving well enough alone. If I think something can be improved, I’ll probably end up trying it. That’s exactly how I ended up making Golden Bloom the way I do today.
Why Turmeric?
Turmeric has been used in traditional beauty routines for generations and has become a popular ingredient in skincare.
For soap makers, there are several ways to use it, and each one gives a slightly different result.
Some people mix the powder directly into the soap batter.
Others add it to the water before making their lye solution, which can create beautiful shades ranging from bright yellow to deep orange depending on the recipe.
Neither method is wrong.
It just wasn’t the look I was after.
The Way I Like Doing It
Personally, I like buying a one-litre bottle of olive oil and pouring my turmeric right into it.
Then I give it a good shake, put it on my soap shelf, and set a reminder on my phone.
Every day my phone reminds me to walk over, give it another gentle shake, and put it right back on the shelf.
Three weeks later, it’s finally ready.
Some people laugh when they hear I wait that long, but I actually enjoy it. It becomes part of my day, and by the time those three weeks are up, I’m excited to finally make another batch of Golden Bloom.
Once the infusion is finished, I strain everything through cheesecloth sitting inside a fine sieve before weighing out the oil for my recipe.
One thing I’ve learned over the years is never to assume you’ll still have a full litre of oil.
You won’t.
Some stays behind in the cheesecloth.
Some stays in the sieve.
Some clings to the inside of the bottle.
So I always weigh my oil before I start making soap instead of guessing.
Why I Keep Coming Back to This Method
Personally, I believe infusing the turmeric into olive oil lets me pull more of what the plant has to offer while leaving all that gritty powder behind.
Whether that’s chemistry or simply years of experimenting, I know one thing for certain.
Every time I compare my bars, I end up with a smoother, more even-looking soap than when I mixed the powder straight into the batter.
Now, I don’t claim this is the only way to make turmeric soap. There are lots of talented soap makers who use different methods and create beautiful bars. This is simply the method I’ve come to love after making batch after batch. It’s the one that makes me happiest when I cut into that first fresh loaf.
That’s enough proof for me to keep doing it this way.
A Few Things I’ve Learned Along the Way
If you’re ever thinking about infusing your own oils, here are a few things I’ve learned.
Keep your bottle somewhere cool, dry, and out of direct sunlight.
Make sure whatever botanical you’re using is completely dry before adding it to the oil. Even a little moisture can cause problems later.
And don’t forget that oils don’t last forever.
Once you open a bottle, the clock starts ticking, so I try to make fresh infusions when I need them instead of letting them sit around for months.
Those little habits help reduce the chances of oils going rancid and those frustrating orange spots that no soap maker ever wants to find.
Which Soaps Get the Turmeric Treatment?
Golden Bloom isn’t the only soap I make this way.
I also use this same turmeric infusion in:
- Golden Bloom
- Enchanted Turmeric Charcoal
- Santal Smoke
- Flax Enchanted Turmeric
Every one of those bars starts the exact same way—with a bottle of olive oil, some turmeric, and three weeks of patience.
More Than Just Making Soap
One thing soapmaking has taught me is that you can’t rush everything.
I’m the kind of person who likes building things. Whether it’s making soap, building a shelf, growing a garden, or trying something new, I’ve learned that the things that take the longest usually end up being the ones I’m most proud of.
Three weeks can feel like forever when you’re excited to make soap.
But every single time I cut into a fresh batch, I’m reminded why I wait.
To me, that’s one of the best parts of making soap.
There’s always something new to learn.
There’s always another idea to try.
And every batch teaches me something I didn’t know before.
I hope that the next time you pick up one of my soaps, you’ll know there’s a little three-week story behind it.
Thanks for stopping by my soap room today. Until next time, happy soaping!
— Trinity
Founder & Formulator
All My Pretties – Soap Boutique