Dendritic salt for super hard bars?

[TVivian]

I've been using fine sea salt at 1 tsp ppo for awhile now and I've noticed it does harden the soap a bit faster, but the other day I used dendritic salt also at 3 tsp instead. When I cut the next day it was extremely hard... almost difficult to slice. The following batch I tried using only 1 tsp and I noticed a significant difference between the dendritic and sea salts. Has anyone else noticed this and/or what the scientific explanation might be?

 

[lpstephy85]

I have nothing scientific to add but just interested in this one. Does it help with unmolding easier?

 

[TVivian]

I have nothing scientific to add but just interested in this one. Does it help with unmolding easier?

Absolutely! The first time with the 3 teaspoons, the soap probably would have been ready to slice in 4 or 5 hours. I usually get impatient and start peeling back my mold too soon until I realize it's still sticky. But I've done 3 batches now and it does seem to release much easier. I'm eager for someone to chime in or give it a try!

 

[lpstephy85]

I would love to try it and see if I have the same results. Do you know if it is sold in stores (like Walmart, or a big box store) or does it need to be purchased through a supplier? I see BB and WSP carry it.

 

[Ellacho]

No scientific explanation to add... but yes, I've noticed salt water and sodium lactate also make soap to harden (quick to get a trace, too).

Definitely salt does help produce a harder of soap. I would also like to know why??? Anyone? Dee Anna?:-D Thank you!

 

[TVivian]

I would love to try it and see if I have the same results. Do you know if it is sold in stores (like Walmart, or a big box store) or does it need to be purchased through a supplier? I see BB and WSP carry it.

I order it from Brambleberry to add to my bath salts, I've never seen it in a regular grocery store. Not sure where else it can be purchased.

 

[AKjulz]

I don't have the answer either, but am wondering at what point you add the dendritic salt or sodium lactate? I have both but have never used them in soap and would love to produce a harder bar.

 

[TVivian]

I set aside an ounce or two of water from my batch before I add my lye to it. Then I dissolve the salt in the water and add it back when my lye is cooled. Same with sugar. With sodium lactate, I just add it in with my oils.

 

[lpstephy85]

I'll just have to get it from WSP then. I use sodium lactate so I would love to see I notice a difference.

 

[cmzaha]

I order it from Brambleberry to add to my bath salts, I've never seen it in a regular grocery store. Not sure where else it can be purchased.

San Francisco Bath Salt Company carries it

 

[elmtree]

I just used fine sea salt the other day in an experiment. Of course I didn't use a small loaf, (I threw caution to the wind lol) but one of my usual 150 oz batches that I divide into two loaves, one lavender eo and one lilac fo. They came out much harder but a little discolored or mottled looking. I used about 1tsp per pound. This is a recipe that is usually very soft for several days so I was trying to harden them up and make them last a bit longer.

 

[hmlove1218]

That's probably caused my little tiny particles of salt that didn't fully dissolve. I've noticed it in some of my batches

 

[elmtree]

That's probably caused my little tiny particles of salt that didn't fully dissolve. I've noticed it in some of my batches

I think so too. Do you think they are sellable? I really should have done a small batch! Oh well. My lavender bars sell like hot cakes and I'm not sure what people would think of these. Sorry, not trying to hyjack!!

 

[Obsidian]

Call them silver dabble lavender bars, people will think you are genius for creating perfect speckles.

 

[hmlove1218]

Obsidian has a good idea. There's nothin wrong with the soap, just a cosmetic issue to some. It doesn't really bother me because I see it as proof that the soap has been handmade.

 

[lpstephy85]

Got some DS and fired away! Used 2tbsp (might be overkill) in a 2lb batch vs 2tbsp in a 2lb batch of SL. I did see a difference in the hardness as well as when cleaning my tools. The SL one (tools with soap on them a week old, I procrastinate) came off way easier the the ones with DS. Does this mean the bars with DS will last longer? Who knows but will definitely make notes.

 

[CanaDawn]

Call them silver dabble lavender bars, people will think you are genius for creating perfect speckles.

dabble or dapple?

They're very pretty bars!