Dry flaky soap

[Strawberry0121]

Well, we made our first batch of soap and tried to cut it after about 34 hours of cooling under a towel. We are trying to cut it but it is very flaky and breaking off in chunks. The calculator says that the hardness is within range. We used the Walmart recipe from this site. Thanks for any help!

Oh, should we continue to cut it or scrap it and rebatch it? If so, how do we correct it?

 

[mjmccauley]

I haven't been soaping for very long, but it sounds to me that you may have let it sit too long. I know that I have had some loafs that have been in the mold too long and it had done that very thing. It should still be safe to use, as long as the lye calculation was correct, just in smaller pieces.

 

[carebear]

is it "zappy"? I mean if you rub a wet finger on your soap and touch the finger to your mouth do you get a "zap" or tingle (beyond the taste of soap)?

can you give us the ACTUAL amounts of everything you used (oils, liquid, lye)?

did it gel?

 

[Strawberry0121]

is it "zappy"? I mean if you rub a wet finger on your soap and touch the finger to your mouth do you get a "zap" or tingle (beyond the taste of soap)?
I think it is a little zappy. But this is my first time And um, I actually put my tongue on the hunk of soap...duh. Next time I will do the wet finger thing <blushing>


can you give us the ACTUAL amounts of everything you used (oils, liquid, lye)?
I am not sure of the accuracy of the measurements due to a CRAPPY scale. And I am very aware that this may be our problem. That being said, here's what we TRIED to use:

water 15.298 oz.
lye 7.533 oz.
coconut 14.4 oz.
lard 12.0 oz.
olive 11.04 oz.
canola 4.8 oz.
safflower 3.36 oz.
castor 2.4 oz.


did it gel?
I'm not sure. I thought I knew what gelling meant, but then I confused myself. It went from a creamy brownish-yellow color to a gorgeous creamy white when it was hardened. But the color of the soap was consistent throughout and it looks very matte, no crystals.

 

[carebear]

if it's zappy then it's lye heavy or it's not finished saponifying.

if you can't be confident of the scale I'd trash the batch and get a new scale before continuing.

and frankly, I don't bother with the wet finger - I just lick the soap.

 

[SimplyE]

frankly, I don't bother with the wet finger - I just lick the soap.

LMAO! Yummy! I would have to say I don't "lick" mine, just the ol' tongue touch Fond memories of mom washing my mouth out with Dial...BLAH!

 

[Strawberry0121]

Well, I guess I just touched my tongue to it. I think I will give it a couple more days and check it again. If it's still zappy, I will pitch it and start again with a new scale. Thanks!

 

[Strawberry0121]

Ok, I just tested my soap again (blech!, might I add!) I think it's going to be ok. One bar tasted a tiny bit salty, but the other was not at all. Is that unusual for the bars to cure at different rates? We scented the batch with 2 scents, and I tested each scent. And is salty a good description to use? It's not zappy, like it was, but it is a little salty.

 

[carebear]

salty, I dunno. zappy is like putting your tongue to the end of a household battery.

 

[Strawberry0121]

I think (I hope!) that it tastes salty to me because it is almost done processing.

It definitely is not zappy anymore.

If it were lye heavy, would it continue to be zappy?

 

[Strawberry0121]

Updated question!

Well, we made another batch of the same recipe, using a new scale. WOW! It was SO much easier!

Anyway, this batch is so much different. We had to wait for like 36 hours and then had to put it in the freezer to get it out of the molds because it was so soft and sticking. Anyway, it cut like lightly softened butter.

I am wondering about the first batch now. It was rock hard after 33 hours; which worries me after seeing this new batch. . I hate to throw it away, but I'm not sure what else to do with it. I'm almost scared to use it on my body. I haven't tasted it lately. Could it be used for laundry? If it is lye heavy, would it be safe for laundry or cleaning?

If I should use it for cleaning, could someone point me in the direction of some good recipes to use it for? Thanks so much for all of your wisdom and help!

 

[heartsong]

s

hi there!

soaping can be so confusing and frustrating when first starting out! may i suggest checking out this site-it has an excellent tutorial on how to rebatch your other soap-among other things.

www.soap-making-essentials.com

also if you go to the top right of this page, you can clik on-search keyword/laundry soap. it will take you to all the threads on the subject.

happy soaping!

 

[ChrissyB]

Yes you could absolutely use it for laundry, I have used a couple of batches that didn't turn out how I wanted for laundry.
I whizzed the soap in the food processor so that it was powdery, sort of the same consistency as store bought laundry powder, then I just add it to my wash. I know that there are lots of other recipes for laundry powderlike mixing it with washing soda and different things, I just add it straight in, lathers up great, clothes smell great...all round winner if you ask me!!
And congrats on getting the new scale, it will make your life sooo much easier!!