Crumbly Salt Soap

[ariella42]

I've been making HP soaps because I like the (somewhat) instant gratification of being able to use the soap sooner. However, I got some pigments for Christmas and thought I'd try a simple swirl with CP soap to see how it came out. I've also been reading about salt soaps and wanted to try that. I decided to combine the two adventures, which may not have been the best idea, because I'm not sure which part I messed up on. The swirl didn't turn out right because my makeshift divider failed, and the pigments didn't get mixed well. However, my main problem is that it was very crumbling when I cut it. I waited 24 hours, then unmolded it (with difficulty) and cut it. I'm not sure if I cut it too soon, but I read that you should cut salt soaps sooner than most CP soaps because they get very hard. Did I go wrong somewhere?

 

[Obsidian]

You waited way too long to cut. Salt bars harden very fast and usually need to be cut within a 2-4 hours of pouring. I made HP salt bars the other day in cavity molds and can't imagine you would want to wait more then a hour or so to cut. Personally, I recommend cavity molds to salt bar newbies and I'd also suggest doing CP instead. HP salt bars adds a whole new dimension on finickiness.

 

[ariella42]

I did do CP this time, but I guess I'll stick with that if HP is trickier. Thanks for advice about when to cut it! I thought 24 hours was the time, but I guess I was way off. I'll look into getting cavity molds for my next batch.

 

[Obsidian]

Sorry, I misunderstood If you try again, you want to cut as soon as your soap is firm enough to cut. It will most likely still be warm and soft. I like using loaf molds but getting the cutting timed is tricky.

 

[xraygrl]

For regular cp soap, 24 hours is the normal cut time, but not for salt bars. They are in a class by themselves!

 

[Ruthie]

I agree with using individual molds for salt bars if possible. I also had to try them and was not impressed at first. But I tried it again a couple of months later and now I love my salt bar. So- if you don't like it, give it time.

 

[The Efficacious Gentleman]

As an aside, hp soaps also need a cure.

You CAN use a cp soap once it is saponified (usually 24-48 hours) just as you CAN use a hp soap once it is saponified (when the cook is finished). When you SHOULD use both is after a 4 week+ cure.

 

[ariella42]

Does the cure for HP soap just harden the bar or is there more to it? I have noticed that my first batch of HP are now much harder than when I first used them.

 

[The Efficacious Gentleman]

Harder, but also the soap molecules rest and settle.

Curing is nothing to do with saponifying and not just about water reduction, but more to do with the soap, for want of a better word, ripening. Cured soaps perform better all round from lather to feel to longevity. That includes hp soaps.

 

[kmarvel]

I've been making HP soaps because I like the (somewhat) instant gratification of being able to use the soap sooner. However, I got some pigments for Christmas and thought I'd try a simple swirl with CP soap to see how it came out. I've also been reading about salt soaps and wanted to try that. I decided to combine the two adventures, which may not have been the best idea, because I'm not sure which part I messed up on. The swirl didn't turn out right because my makeshift divider failed, and the pigments didn't get mixed well. However, my main problem is that it was very crumbling when I cut it. I waited 24 hours, then unmolded it (with difficulty) and cut it. I'm not sure if I cut it too soon, but I read that you should cut salt soaps sooner than most CP soaps because they get very hard. Did I go wrong somewhere?

Whoa!!!!!! 24 hrs is why your little cute salt bars crumbled. I love the color BTW. Usually the 2 or 3 hr mark is when you want to cut them. I usually cut mine at the 2 hr mark. They are still warm and moist but they don't crumble. I use 50% ratio of oil to salt. My customers seem to like them.