I think I know what happened, but I'm not altogether sure.... it's a pity, too, because this soap is attractive and perfectly functional -but
soft! Not mushy, mind you, but it "gives" when pressed in a way that my other soaps don't. It's not "damp"-soft if you know what I mean, like fresh soap. No this is almost "spongy". The only thing I did differently (besides using less pink clay in the reicpe) was I poured the lye and water and it sat (life's interruptions happen, eh?) and it sat ......and sat....o.k., so I guess I know better, but I think it sat uncovered (and it didn't look different at all -which is weird) for 5 days or so. I'm wondering if the solution lost something, somehow.
Have any of you had such an "interrupted" batch (and been silly enough, like your's truly) and forged ahead rather than make a new lye-water solution? If so, did it mess up your soap?
This batch has a lovely Fruity-Rose scent and lathers like a dream, so my Friends and Relations will be receiving some really nice "oops" bars this time! :) I suppose I could offer them at a deep discount in the Online Store...hmmmmmm....what do you think?
7 comments:
Hi Becky, I haven't had this experience but I have had some batches turn out softer than others without knowing why... so can we compile a list of how to make a bar harder? Softer? I am especially interested as I don't use Palm oil. I think lowering the water content helps as well as not over using Castor oil. Any other suggestions? xo Jen
Becky is it kind of spongey like? I have had that happen when I have tried to cpop. It think it was a case of almost trying to go into hot process mode that caused my problems.
Just give the soap more time. I have left lye and water but only for a few hours. I've had spongey soaps though and find with time they harden more and more so that the sponginess is almost gone. I find too much castor oil can cause this as well. I would offer them at a discount if they are fully functional.
First off, they look swell :) Not in a spongy sense, but the way a great bar of soap can look. Leaving your lye mixture out for a day is not a problem as long as its not exposed to air. Once the air factor comes into the equation, lye will loose its strength and you'll end up with a higher sf level than you set out to. This will cause your soap to be softer and more prone to rancidity.
Hi Ladies!
Jen, A collaboration on "Bar-Hardening Tricks of the Experts" sounds grand....I won't be contributing as I am obviously deficient in this area! LOL! Please post ideas/tricks if you have them gentle readers!
Michele, Hmmmm, this was a plain ol' CP batch...no changes, no heat, no nothin' -so very curious....
Splurge Sisters, Thanks for the ideas!Yes, I think I will wait and see, and yes, I think your right about selling them at a discount -they're perfectly fine except they may not last as long as a hard bar. :) Oh, and there was no castor oil in this recipe, but I'll watch out for it in the future!
C'bong, You've pretty much convinced me -it was the "lye/water in-the-pot-5-days-old" that did it! (or DIDN'T as it were) I usually cover my PC batter bowl with it's handy cover, but this one I didn't.....I kept thinking "Boy, I should probably cover that" -but all I did was think about it! Lesson Learned. You know I tend to push the envelope with my superfatting anyway -apparantly this was just what pushed it into the "Spongey Zone" -it sure is moisturizing, though! :D Maybe I'll send my dry-skinned German friend a bar (if she PROMISES not to review it! LOL!)
Well that's a new one! Glad c'bong has an answer for you, because I haven't left my lye water that long. I'm pretty sure I've left it overnight, but covered with plastic wrap at least.
girl scouts honor!!
Post a Comment