haven't been soaping... but here is a pic of my curing rack

[moosie]

I haven't made any new soap in the last few weeks boohoo

The last one I made was a salt bar, I made it late at night as I usually do when the kids are asleep, I waited the 2 hours but it was still too soft to remove from the silicone mold. I fell asleep, and woke up the next morning to a crumbling mess double boo hoo

So instead of some new soap ... Here is a fun photo of my soaps curing... I finally got to really use some of my soap. My first 2 bars were back in September/October. I packed them away and moved and just found them in storage today. fun fun! so of course I used one tonight and it was lovely! but made the bottom of the shower really slippery, whoops!

on with the photo... enjoy!

from left to right
lemon sugar bar, unscented basic bar, crumbly salt bar, Moroccan clay bar. with some unscented 100% Castile in the mix

 

[Dragonkaz]

Your curing rack is looking great!

 

[maya]

loverly!

 

[Hazel]

Very nice! All of your soaps look wonderful.

I noticed your curing rack looks like metal. Is it stainless steel?

 

[moosie]

uh oh! I didnt even think of that, its cookie racks from the dollar store, is that a no no?

oh and btw just wanted to say thanks to this board, you are all awesome!

 

[Hazel]

If it's stainless steel, it will be fine. If it's aluminum, then there could be problems if there's still a little active lye in the soaps when you set them on the rack. How long have you been using the shelves?

 

[moosie]

If it's stainless steel, it will be fine. If it's aluminum, then there could be problems if there's still a little active lye in the soaps when you set them on the rack. How long have you been using the shelves?

I'm not sure what their made of, their really light so they may be aluminum. I had the soaps curing just on the shelf for a few weeks before I started using these. I think there is only 1 bar that was put on there from the start. It was the salt bar that wasnt any good anyway, I fell asleep and they got to hard to cut

They werent working all that well anyway and they were only a dollar so I should probably get rid of them since I don't know what they are made of. Are my soaps okay just sitting on the shelf instead? I was periodically turning them so all sides got air

Thanks for your help, I knew not to use it for mixing but I didnt even think of it for curing, yikes

 

[Hazel]

I just use a shelf (and mainly any flat surface I can take over :wink: ) and turn mine every other day to make sure all sides are exposed. I only do this the first couple of weeks and then I only turn them about once a week. I'm sure my way isn't the best way.

You probably won't have a problem if the soaps are fully saponified. I just tend to worry about things. You could place some parchment paper over the shelves for added protection.

 

[Dragonkaz]

I put a cheap (home brand) grease proof under all my soap while it's curing ... just to be safe.

 

[carebear]

you want to put something between the soap and those racks. ask me how I know.

i use the craft canvas. that rubberized shelf paper that looks like a lattice works well too. just lay it down over the wire racks.

 

[moosie]

Thank You!! I have to ask carebear, how do you know? curious what happened...

I love that rubber shelf liner stuff, I'll put some of that down instead.

 

[Robbiegirl]

Late , I know but I had to comment how lovely this looks