I just used some phenol drops on the soap my wife and I made a few days ago. I gut a bar in half and put a few drops on it and another bar of soap. One spot turned dark pink immediately. Other spots didn't change at all and other spots are a light pink. I am assuming I didn't stir completely enough in crock pot or I accidentally scraped some off of the sides. PLEASE HELP!! I really want to get the hang of soap making!
Having trouble testing soap
- Thread starter mcleod13
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I don't think that stuff is reliable unless you have previous experience using it. Maybe zap test ?
A bigger drop may show a darker pink than a smaller drop ... There are more ways you can test, but how is somebody going to show you on the forum, the difference between a dark pink and a not so dark pink ?
A bigger drop may show a darker pink than a smaller drop ... There are more ways you can test, but how is somebody going to show you on the forum, the difference between a dark pink and a not so dark pink ?
Unless I am wrong, phenolphthalein on soap is always some degree of pink. Maybe somebody who uses it on a regular basis can shed some light on this matter.
My main concern wasn't the the degree of pink. My concern was that There were spots of pink on one bar and then nothing on the same bar. Or there would be spots of pink on one bar and then nothing on another bar. Not exactly sure how to do the zap test. Would the entire bar zap you or would only certain spots zap?
From what I understand from those who have used phenolphthalein, it only works in solution, so dropping it on a bar of solid soap will not tell you much, especially since soap is naturally alkaline anyway.
To make a solution that you can properly test with phenolphthalein, you must first melt your soap in water. To make a 1% solution, melt 1 gram of soap in 99 grams water and then test the resulting solution. It is also advised to test other household things in a 1% solution to compare and to get a better idea of what shade of pink you're looking for (things like vinegar, dishwashing liquid, commercial bar soap, etc..).
The tongue test is so much easier if you ask me.
IrishLass
To make a solution that you can properly test with phenolphthalein, you must first melt your soap in water. To make a 1% solution, melt 1 gram of soap in 99 grams water and then test the resulting solution. It is also advised to test other household things in a 1% solution to compare and to get a better idea of what shade of pink you're looking for (things like vinegar, dishwashing liquid, commercial bar soap, etc..).
The tongue test is so much easier if you ask me.
IrishLass
I usually perform 5-6 random zap tests on 2-3 bars for a small batch.
If your bar doesn't have visible spots or blotches, it's probably well homogenized. If you see something that doesn't look right, you should zap test that area.
Zap testing is basically touching your tongue to the soap, but if I fear a zap, I am more careful to avoid getting zappy soap stuck to my tongue. Also, I wet my tongue and keep a layer of saliva between the tongue and the soap.
If your bar doesn't have visible spots or blotches, it's probably well homogenized. If you see something that doesn't look right, you should zap test that area.
Zap testing is basically touching your tongue to the soap, but if I fear a zap, I am more careful to avoid getting zappy soap stuck to my tongue. Also, I wet my tongue and keep a layer of saliva between the tongue and the soap.
judymoody
Well-Known Member
Love it, carebear!
Seriously.
Seriously.
falldowngobump
Well-Known Member
I "lick" mine too. My God given tongue is cheaper and more accurate than test strips. As a child, I had my mouth washed out with soap many times.
you are looking for a ZAP. if you don't get zapped, that means your soap is balanced, not lye heavy. if it zaps then either it's not finished saponifying or it has too much lye.
the zap is really a zap. you'll know it if you feel it. if you are not sure, then it probably didn't zap.
cause when it ZAPS you know it.
the zap is really a zap. you'll know it if you feel it. if you are not sure, then it probably didn't zap.
cause when it ZAPS you know it.
