ash prevention on fluffy tops

[bombus]

I am making CP soap-

Sometimes, when I use the little fancy molds, and don't cover them with plastic wrap,
I have ash development on the exposed top (the bottom of the soap bars). I don't like
the looks of it, and have to trim off the bottom of each bar with a potato peeler,
which is not the best tool for the job.

Some soaps even develop an ash layer on the pretty top surface after I pop them out
of individual molds. (can't fix that problem). I suspect they are not gelling, as I have
never added any extra heat, and have never even seen a partial gel in a small mold.
I have experienced enough ash that I am concerned about it forming on a large log mold batch.

So far I have made flat-topped logs of soap, covering the top with either parchment
paper or plastic wrap, laying the covering directly on the soap log and forcing gel by
setting it on top of a heating pad and insulating it well.
No ash problems.

I would like to try a fluffy top on a batch soon. How do I cover that uneven top surface
to protect it from the air so I won't get an ash layer?

I have seen one comment about spraying the top with alcohol.
Does that solve the problem?

I have seen bars for sale on Etsy with obvious ash layers on those beautiful peaks and valleys.
Other sellers seem to have a secret ash eliminator
(or is their mix of oils?)

 

[krissy]

i thought that you could spray alcohol on the tops to prevent ash.

 

[Guest]

Yep alcohol or a cover for your mold.I hollowed out a piece of styrofoam to fit over the waves on top the soap, it works.

Kitn

 

[Ganiggle]

Depending on the size of the mold, would it work if you just put it inside a larger container? Like a plastic tote with a lid?

 

[Guest]

That is a very good question gagniggle , never thought of that , I don't know the answer , maybe someone else has tried it

 

[Ganiggle]

I hope someone else can shed some light on it

I have tons of totes and things laying around, so it would be perfect for me.

 

[Dixie]

My personal experience: I can cover it with syran wrap but it has to lay right on the soap and then I peel it off 8 hrs. later. If I let the syran wrap hover over the soap it sweets and then drips on the soap leaving spots. I hat that look.
I have covered it with a lid but it still formed ash. I think some soap are more prone to it than others. So my best results have been just to spray with alcohol and that way I don't have to worry about it as much.

 

[amandacf]

when do you spray it? when it is just poured? or later
amanda

 

[sweetcreekherbs]

when do you spray it? when it is just poured? or later
amanda

That is what I'd like to know. I've never even heard of spraying alcohol to combat soda ash. I use plastic wrap, and that eliminated the problem for me. But, sometimes, plastic wrap is not feasible.

So...do you spray it before you cover up the mold, or when you unmold and cut it?

Thanks, :shock:

 

[Guest]

You spray as soon as you have the top of the soap the way you want it, I often go back and give it another spritz. It does help.

Kitn

 

[bombus]

Thank you for all the input. I seems that alcohol is the answer. Today I'm gonna try it :idea: