Re: filtering and purpose of water

[Guest guest]

Apologies, I top posted in error last time! I should

also have mentioned my own method of filtering

alcoholic or vinegar extractions for medicinal uses,

as this is relevant to perfumery.

Before filtering homemade tinctures, try storing the

extrait in the fridge (or even in the ice department

of a refrigerator) for 24 hours before filtering.

I've found that this helps enormously in stopping the

insoluble components from filtering through and

clouding the formula.

The only reason I can imagine that a tiny amount of

water is used in alcohol-based blends is to reduce the

overall cost of the product (alcohol is always

expensive due to the tax). Whilst the saving may be

negligible for the home perfumer, imagine the amount

of alcohol saved by perfumery houses in the creation

of huge quantities of alcohol-based fragrances.

Chrissie

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[Guest guest]

On Wed, 15 Dec 2004 10:28:20 +0000 (GMT), you wrote:

> Before filtering homemade tinctures, try storing the

> extrait in the fridge (or even in the ice department

> of a refrigerator) for 24 hours before filtering.

Correct. I should have mentioned that.

> The only reason I can imagine that a tiny amount of

> water is used in alcohol-based blends is to reduce the

> overall cost of the product (alcohol is always

> expensive due to the tax).

Correct, that is the financial benefit. But the real reason are:

1) The salting out effect that water has on the oil.

2) Less drying to the skin

3) Less burning to the skin

4) Has a minor fixative effect

5) Better bloom on skin upon application

-= ß =-

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[Guest guest]

On Wed, 15 Dec 2004 10:28:20 +0000 (GMT), you wrote:

> Before filtering homemade tinctures, try storing the

> extrait in the fridge (or even in the ice department

> of a refrigerator) for 24 hours before filtering.

Correct. I should have mentioned that.

> The only reason I can imagine that a tiny amount of

> water is used in alcohol-based blends is to reduce the

> overall cost of the product (alcohol is always

> expensive due to the tax).

Correct, that is the financial benefit. But the real reason are:

1) The salting out effect that water has on the oil.

2) Less drying to the skin

3) Less burning to the skin

4) Has a minor fixative effect

5) Better bloom on skin upon application

-= ß =-

_______________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Chrissie,

> The only reason I can imagine that a tiny amount of

> water is used in alcohol-based blends is to reduce the

> overall cost of the product

Thank You for responding to this. Perhaps B

can add some thoughts?

Do you know the percentage of water that is used?

> Before filtering homemade tinctures, try storing the

> extrait in the fridge

I just finished up a BayRum Cologne where I used

about 10% distilled water with my tincture. I had

to filter about four times (through unbleached

coffee filters) before being somewhat satisfied.

Not totally satisfied, there was still a bit of

cloudiness. This cloudiness came about from

adding the water. Next time I will refrigerate/ freeze

beforehand. I had forgotten this technique, which

was originally mentioned to me by Horowitz

of Creative Scentualization.

Thank You Chrissie!

-R-

[Guest guest]

Thanks for shedding your spotlight on the

alcohol/water mystery!

Personally, I prefer solid perfumes based on

beeswax/jojba and/or shea butter as these are kinder

to dry skin than alcohol-based perfumes. Not that

I've made any perfume for a long time. Anya's

invitation to join this group is making me want to get

back into fragrant alchemy!

Chrissie

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[Guest guest]

On Wed, 15 Dec 2004 17:19:03 +0000 (GMT), you wrote:

> Thanks for shedding your spotlight on the

> alcohol/water mystery!

BTW, there are tables that give the approximate ratio of water to alcohol

depending on the amount of perfume oil used. FWIW, a perfume, 18% cannot have

any water added, as the slightest water would make it cloudy.

At the opposite extreme, are 1-2% perfume oil solutions that take a high amount

of water before they become cloudy. It stand to logic that these are after

shaves. The less alcohol, the less sting AND fortuitously, also closer to the

level of alcohol that will break down the cell of certain micro-organisms.

Isn't nature wonderful <g>.

A quick and dirty way to know the level of water to add, is IF you solution is

below 12-15%, add water SLOWLY until slight cloudiness occurs. STOP and filter.

This is NOT accurate, but for home use it will get you by. If you get too

cloudy, just add back pure alcohol. Albeit, the product will be more dilute.

-= ß =-

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[Guest guest]

On Dec 15, 2004, at 10:15 AM, Roxana Villa wrote:

>

> Not totally satisfied, there was still a bit of

> cloudiness. This cloudiness came about from

> adding the water.

Also, I don't know if you did this, but adding the water very

gradually- drop by drop, seems to make a big difference in less

clouding.

[Guest guest]

> Also, I don't know if you did this, but adding the water very

> gradually- drop by drop, seems to make a big difference in less

> clouding.

thank you for the hint elizabeth. i'll do this with my next batch.

-R-

Roxana Villa

Visual and Aromatic Artist

http://www.roxanavilla.com

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