Deformation in Soaps

[Moonday]

Hi!
Thank you for your response!
My soaps after four week start to some sort of deformation that damage it's faces!
How I can prevent it?
I use of CP and a receipt of coco and olive and castor that according to calculator I'm in range correctly
Regards

 

[DeeAnna]

What is your recipe? Can you post a photograph?

 

[IrishLass]

May I ask how much water are you using in your batches? I ask because the higher the water content in your formula, the more water that will evaporate out and cause warping of the soap as it cures. Whenever I use what is known as a 'full water amount' (1 part lye to 2.5 or 3 parts water), I always end up with warping to some extent in my bars. When I use a ratio of 1 part lye to 2 parts water (a 33% lye solution), I never get warping.


IrishLass

 

[DeeAnna]

That's what I was wondering too. A group of us tested an unusual recipe some months ago. It had an unusually high high water content, and the bars warped as they cured. They look rather rustic and that is fine with me, but I imagine the warping might bother some. Knowing the original poster's recipe would sure answer this question!

 

[godschild]

This is exactly why I'm afraid to do the extra water hp swirl method. I don't want my soaps ending up all wonky looking.

 

[Relle]

I ALWAYS use full water and have never had a warped bar yet, I do cut mine 1 1/4 '' thick.

 

[IrishLass]

Relle- how is the climate where you live? I live an extremely arid (and hot) climate. Maybe that is why my full water soaps get warpy.


IrishLass

 

[Moonday]

I use water as percent of oil weight 38% -> 190 gr per every 500 gr
palm 65%
coconut 20%
olive 10%
castor 5%
NaOH -> 64.13 gr per every 500 gr

 

[DeeAnna]

With that recipe, your lye solution is not very concentrated -- only about 25% NaOH and 75% water. That is much more water than I would use and yes, it is likely to cause warpage as the soap dries.

On top of that, your superfat is very high -- it is about 20%, give or take a bit. Most people superfat in the 5-8% range -- closer to 135 to 140 grams NaOH per 1000 grams of fat. I do not know if this contributes to the warping, but it can contribute to other problems, such as making less lather, having a shorter life in the bath, and turning rancid.

 

[Relle]

Relle- how is the climate where you live? I live an extremely arid (and hot) climate. Maybe that is why my full water soaps get warpy.


IrishLass

Summer can get up to 35 - 38 C and get quite sticky, its not usually a dry heat. Usually its around 27 - 30 ish.