Cold Process Salt Bars?

[Jaaret]

I've heard a little bit about salt bars. It looks like most are re-batched soaps with a very high percentage of coconut oil (since it is the only soap oil that will lather in salt water.) Can salt bars be made using the cold process method?

 

[ChrissyB]

YES!!
There is a recipe for salt bars at www.soap-making-essentials.com
I made some just the other day and they came out wonderful.
They are mainly coconut oil to counter the fact that the salt decreases the lather. The recipe that I followed had mainly coconut, but grapeseed and castor oil. It also uses 300 or 400g of grated soap (rebatch). This is optional but if you use a different colour to the new batch that you are making the result is very pretty, also add that 400g of grated soap with the 570g of salt that you use, and all of a sudden your batch of soap goes a lot further than it would have without the additions.
Have a look at that website and tell me what you think. There is some great decoration ideas on there also.

Chrissy

 

[Jaaret]

Thanks for the salt soap recipe!

Thanks, ChrissyB! I'm definintely going to give it a try. I've been looking for more unique soaps to add to my repretoire in 2009 and a salt bar will definitely be one that I try.

 

[Deda]

These are a couple Salt Soaps I made last week.

They have transparent soap on the top, with a small MP cut out of a Candy Cane.

My most used SS recipe is 90% Coconut, 10% Castor, superfatted at 20%, for I use between 70 & 80& of my oil weight in salt. I've used regular WalMart salt, Dead Sea salt and Sea Salt, all seem to be about the same with no noticeable difference.

If you can get your hands on a divided mold they are great for SS, no cutting!

 

[topcat]

Hey Deda - they are wonderful soaps! Is the transparent top MP as well as the candy canes? How did you get it to stick to the CP if you don't mind me asking? Is it just a spray of isopropyl alcohol? Or does it stick all by itself. I make both MP and CP so would love to combine my two passions! :wink:

Tanya

 

[Deda]

Thanks topcat! The tops of these are not MP, but transparent soap with ethanol and sugar - Big PIA. But I like the look.

I have made others with MP. The look is similar.

Tabitha taught me the alcohol trick - just spray the top and pour. Easy Peasy, and they don't come apart.

 

[topcat]

Thanks for sharing Deda

I am thinking about a CP base soap with an MP clear top coloured with mica, so I can get that pretty luminious look. Do you suggest waiting until the CP has gelled and cooled before adding the MP, or just add it as soon as I have it ready? Hmmm...... :? :wink:

 

[Deda]

If you are going to use MP you need to let the CP cure for 4 to 6 weeks, before you pour on the clear.

I'm sure there are many reasons for allowing a full cure but my major concern is that I will have uneven shrinkage and the tops pop off like Champagne on New Years!

Whether you choose MP or transparent your soap will have to be sealed same as regular MP. Meaning you need to have your base, CP or Salt fully cured before you do the second layer.

 

[topcat]

Excellent, thank you very much....makes so much sense now to me :wink:

 

[ChrissyB]

They are fantastic, and I also love your individual packaging!!

 

[ChrissyB]

Oops, and sorry Jaaret, good luck with your salt bars, make sure you let us know how they turn out. Did you like all the other ideas for decorating soap on that webpage? I thought that there was some great hints on there.