Cured vs. Uncured & Telltale of UnSaponified Lye?

[bodhisoma]

I'm probably not alone when I say that as a new soapmaker, I'm pretty bummed that I have two wonderful batches of soap (one is almost pure olive oil, the second is a rice bran/oatemal/grapefruit EO) and I can't really use either because they have to cure.

So I'm wondering (a) what is the bare minimum amount of time I should wait and (b) what difference should I expect between that minimum cure time and a longer (say, 6 weeks) one?

Also, I've read that having unreacted lye is far worse than having unreacted oil but how would I know? I mean, what does unreacted lye look/smell like?

Thanks much!

PS: I've been asking a lot of questions in CP but I *promise*, I'm attempting a search before doing so. Is there any way to search for just post titles? I find such a search tends to have a far greater chance of getting a hit than the entire post/thread.

 

[Hazel]

No, you're not alone. I found it very hard with my first few batches to wait to use soap before the minimum cure time was up. Don't worry. Once you get enough batches done, you'll have plenty of soap to use while other batches are curing.

So I'm wondering (a) what is the bare minimum amount of time I should wait and (b) what difference should I expect between that minimum cure time and a longer (say, 6 weeks) one?

Also, I've read that having unreacted lye is far worse than having unreacted oil but how would I know? I mean, what does unreacted lye look/smell like?

Most people wait 4 weeks for a minimum cure time. You can start using soap once it has stopped zapping. But you have to remember that curing not only allows for water evaporation and hardening but also the soap becomes milder. If you use soap before it's cured, it can be drying and is certainly not at its best. Also, I've noticed an improvement in the lather with some of my batches. I'll try a bar at 4 to 6 weeks and I think it's all right. But after a couple of months are longer, the lather seems frothier and more bubbly. Also, the soap has become even more mild. :wink:

As to unreacted lye, I can't say I've ever noticed a smell with lye once it's in the soap. However if your batch is lye heavy, you'll find it harsh, drying and irritating to the skin. Your skin might feel rough or perhaps you'll notice a "slippery" type of sensation on your skin. This is lye reacting to the oil on your skin and saponifying.

PS: I've been asking a lot of questions in CP but I *promise*, I'm attempting a search before doing so. Is there any way to search for just post titles? I find such a search tends to have a far greater chance of getting a hit than the entire post/thread.

Unfortunately, you can't search just for post titles but try searching for phrases and use the word "and" in between the words. For example, if you were looking for info on lye heavy soaps, enter "lye and heavy" into the search box. Then make sure you select "CP Soap Forum" in the forum box. This will help to filter the search.

You could also search for an author of a post. In the "Search for Author" box, type in someone's name that you know is very knowledgeable and is very helpful about answering questions like IrishLass, soapbuddy, Lyn, carebear, Tabitha...uh...my mind's going blank. I know there are a lot more knowledgeable people but you know what I mean, right?

 

[kellistarr]

Here's a game I play with my soap, when I'm anxious, impatient, curious to try it because I can't wait! After about 2 weeks, I cut a sliver and wash my hands. If my recipe is super awesome, I'll probably see some incredible creamy bubbles. I'll smell my hands and then I'll rinse them.

Then I might see my hands looking and feeling a bit dry (I'm brown, so it doesn't take long to see the ash). And then, I think how great my bar of soap is going to be when it is truly cured. This works much better than wetting an entire bar (like I used to do). It is rare that I do this now, but it does the trick!

 

[Hazel]

After about 2 weeks, I cut a sliver and wash my hands.

Good suggestion!

 

[FOhoarder]

Yes, I do the same thing. I have absolutely no patience (but I'm working on it :wink: ) so its extremely hard for me to wait for cure tiime so I have a pile of samples that are on the curing rack next to my kitchen sink and wash my hands weekly to see how my soap is changing and getting better and better and I get my soap fix!

 

[judymoody]

Don't worry, you'll soon have so much soap inventory piled up that it will be easy to wait. These days I cut and then pretty much forget about it.

 

[IrishLass]

Don't worry, you'll soon have so much soap inventory piled up that it will be easy to wait. These days I cut and then pretty much forget about it.

+1


IrishLass