Guest guest Posted October 8, 2005 Report Share Posted October 8, 2005 Hi Everyone, I am in desperate need of help learning how to use Polysorbate 20 to emulsify essential oils for use in room sprays. It sounded so easy, but apparently I'm doing something wrong. My directions say 1:1 amount of PS 20:Essential Oil, mix well, slowly add distilled water. I tried this... my mixture came out milky white and literally looks like milk. It is now 48 hours later and it's still milky white. I tried adding more PS-20, up to 2x, and still have milky white mixture. I have also tried adding the PS-20 to water first, and then add EO. Less milky but still quite cloudy and not clear. Added more PS-20 and still no improvement. And then I tried adding EO to water first, and then add PS-20. Still very cloudy. I'm actually beginning to wonder if I even really have PS-20! (will call the supply company on Monday). I'm using clear spray bottles so for now the appearance does matter... would really like a clear solution. Using just EO and water looks better than what I have right now. Any reason I can't just do this for a room spray and put " Shake Well before using " on the directions? I have a delivery deadline of Friday the 15 for 25 bottles or room spary... all recommendations will be greatly appreciated! Thanks very much, Holly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 8, 2005 Report Share Posted October 8, 2005 Holly, Are you using poly 20, EO and water? If so, try mixing a perfumer's alcohol 50/50 with the water. I find water and many EOs no matter what will cloud. Since adding the alcohol, I do not think any cloud or at least very little. Adding color also makes the cloudiness seem less " offensive. " -Helen using " on the directions? I have a delivery deadline of Friday the 15 for 25 bottles or room spary... all recommendations will be greatly appreciated! Thanks very much, Holly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 8, 2005 Report Share Posted October 8, 2005 holly, I had the same thing happen and someone told me to warm the poly 20 up first, also are you using distilled water? wonder if we should warm the water first> Hmmmm Sindy - using Polysorbate 20 Hi Everyone, I am in desperate need of help learning how to use Polysorbate 20 to emulsify essential oils for use in room sprays. It sounded so easy, but apparently I'm doing something wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 10, 2005 Report Share Posted October 10, 2005 Hi Mary, Thank you!!! Before I try your method, I do have one more question... with your method does the proportion of PS-20 to EO still generally work at 1:1? I did finally get clear solution at a 4:1 ratio, but after 4 hours of just sitting in the spay bottle, it turned totally milky white like everything else. I have no idea what tirggered that! I was originally told to add water to the PS-20: EO mix so that might have been contributing to the problem. Can't wait to try your method!! Thanks so much, Holly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 10, 2005 Report Share Posted October 10, 2005 Hi, There is a trick to this - you need to heat the distilled water to about blood temperature, and stir it vigourously while adding the mixture of ps20/oils to it drop by drop. This will give you a clear emuslification. You need to mix the polysorbate 20 and the essential oil (actually it also works for carrier oils and fragrance oils) first, and then add it, slowly . If you get a milky product, in my experience, there is nothing that will fix it. mary Well, Naturally http://www.wellnaturally.com - lovehealsyou Saturday, October 08, 2005 3:34 AM Please Help!!! using Polysorbate 20 Hi Everyone, I am in desperate need of help learning how to use Polysorbate 20 to emulsify essential oils for use in room sprays. It sounded so easy, but apparently I'm doing something wrong. My directions say 1:1 amount of PS 20:Essential Oil, mix well, slowly add distilled water. I tried this... my mixture came out milky white and literally looks like milk. It is now 48 hours later and it's still milky white. I tried adding more PS-20, up to 2x, and still have milky white mixture. I have also tried adding the PS-20 to water first, and then add EO. Less milky but still quite cloudy and not clear. Added more PS-20 and still no improvement. And then I tried adding EO to water first, and then add PS-20. Still very cloudy. I'm actually beginning to wonder if I even really have PS-20! (will call the supply company on Monday). I'm using clear spray bottles so for now the appearance does matter... would really like a clear solution. Using just EO and water looks better than what I have right now. Any reason I can't just do this for a room spray and put " Shake Well before using " on the directions? I have a delivery deadline of Friday the 15 for 25 bottles or room spary... all recommendations will be greatly appreciated! Thanks very much, Holly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 10, 2005 Report Share Posted October 10, 2005 Holly, I have had the same problem using this same mixture. The first time I just kept adding more polysorbate and shaking the heck out of it. Eventually it cleared. I have also added a bit of everclear and that also did the trick. Still wondered if I was doing something wrong....or if the percentages of Poly to EO just need to be changed. Juliet > Hi Everyone, > > I am in desperate need of help learning > how to use Polysorbate 20 to emulsify essential oils > for use in room sprays. It sounded so easy, but > apparently I'm doing something wrong. > > My directions say 1:1 amount of PS 20:Essential > Oil, mix well, slowly add distilled water. > > I tried this... my mixture came out milky white > and literally looks like milk. It is now 48 hours later > and it's still milky white. > > I tried adding more PS-20, up to 2x, and still have > milky white mixture. > > I have also tried adding the PS-20 to water first, and then add > EO. Less milky but still quite cloudy and not clear. > Added more PS-20 and still no improvement. > I have a delivery deadline of Friday the 15 for > 25 bottles or room spary... all recommendations > will be greatly appreciated! > > Thanks very much, > > Holly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 10, 2005 Report Share Posted October 10, 2005 haha, very good miss mary~ thanks so much for the tip, makes perfect sense to me ~! will try~ Sindy - ] Please Help!!! using Polysorbate 20 If you get a milky product, in my experience, there is nothing that will fix it. mary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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