Curing

[Donee']

Surely if 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon sugar is added to CP it should decrease the cure time and increase hardness and lather?

 

[shunt2011]

Surely if 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon sugar is added to CP it should decrease the cure time and increase hardness and lather?

Nope, nothing shortens cure time 4-6 weeks for the average soap. Salt makes it a bit harder to unmold, sugar adds to the bubbles.

 

[Donee']

Nope, nothing shortens cure time 4-6 weeks for the average soap. Salt makes it a bit harder to unmold, sugar adds to the bubbles.

SO i can still add the salt and sugar to every batch?? I have been mulling this over for a while now but need confirmation.
Just as a standard you know.

 

[cmzaha]

I do not add salt to my batches, but I now soap with vinegar so that hardens up the soaps just fine and add sorbitol to all my batches as a sugar replacement

 

[Donee']

I do not add salt to my batches, but I now soap with vinegar so that hardens up the soaps just fine and add sorbitol to all my batches as a sugar replacement

What an awesome idea. Thank you

 

[shunt2011]

I don't add salt either (except salt bars) . I add sodium lactate. Honey sometimes.

 

[jcandleattic]

SO i can still add the salt and sugar to every batch?? I have been mulling this over for a while now but need confirmation.
Just as a standard you know.

Yes, you can add salt and sugar to every batch if that is your desire. As others have said, the salt will harden the loaf making it easier to unmold, the sugar will help boost lather, however nothing but time will cure a soap. There are no short cuts where cure is concerned.

I don't use salt or sugar in my soaps. I do use Sodium Lactate and a 1-2% rate in every batch though...

 

[Zing]

I do use Sodium Lactate and a 1-2% rate in every batch though...

I have a question about this. I've seen recommendations for sodium lactate to use 1 tsp per pound of oils and any more will cause hardness and brittleness. On this forum, I see people use a percentage. Is that percentage of total weight (oils, water, lye) or oil weight? I have no idea how much a teaspoon weighs but it seems like these percentages are higher than what I've been using. Any trouble with brittleness (not sure if that's a word)?

 

[jcandleattic]

I have a question about this. I've seen recommendations for sodium lactate to use 1 tsp per pound of oils and any more will cause hardness and brittleness. On this forum, I see people use a percentage. Is that percentage of total weight (oils, water, lye) or oil weight? I have no idea how much a teaspoon weighs but it seems like these percentages are higher than what I've been using. Any trouble with brittleness (not sure if that's a word)?

I use per oil weight, not batch weight. My soaps are never brittle. I started using it to make my bars easier to unmold back when I used full water amounts. Now that use a water discount, I continue to use it because I like the slip/feel it gives to the final bar.

 

[DeeAnna]

For bar soap, percentages are usually based on the oil weight if someone doesn't specify. Or you'll see the abbreviation "ppo" which means to base the measurement on the weight of oils.

For liquid soap, sometimes ingredients are based on "ppo" and sometimes they're based on the weight of the diluted soap. You kinda have to pay attention and ask if it's not clear.