Can water affect the softness/hardness?

[HeartlandSoap]

Hi all,

I am new to the forum, as well as being relatively new at CP soapmaking.

My first few batches turned out decent for a beginner. So now I have been experimenting with other oils.

I also started out using the Brambleberry calculator, then just learned about Soapcalc. I really like Soapcalc.

My question is...the bars that I have been making with Soapcalc have all come out really soft the next day when removing them from the molds.

I went back to the Brambleberry calc and plugged in the same numbers for the oils, and the only real difference was the amount of water was lower by several ounces.

So my question is, is the larger amount of water from Soapcalc causing my fresh soap to be softer? And if so, will they still cure ok?

 

[carebear]

yes absolutely it can impact the initial hardness. the excess water will cure out, tho the more you have the more likely it is you will have some warping as the soap cures.

I like to soap with about a 30% - 35% lye solution.

 

[HeartlandSoap]

Thanks Carebear!

Actually after posting I just kept going through other posts and found that even just a few ounces of water can make a difference. I left the default on soapcalc and didn't realize until after several tries that soapcalc was more water than Brambleberry.

Since I am pretty new at this, I just thought it was supposed to be hard in a day. Now I am seeing through other posts that it can take a while. I like it to be harder sooner for my basic easy soap.

 

[honor435]

i always discount my water, i usually double my lye, so if it calls for 4.3 lye i do 8.6 water, i think thats about 33% on calc. It will make your soap hard the next day, depending on the oils you use. Welcome to the addiction! any questions pm me!