You can also look under 'spa bars' as well. Different people call them by different names. You can also do a Google search for Spa Bars and the name Iben. Iben is the gal who originated this type of bar on another forum about 4 or 5 years ago.
I've done many salt or spa bars (just did another one last night as a matter of fact), and you basically want a high amount of coconut oil in these types of bars,
at least 70% IMO, because salt kills lather and the best known oil that suds well in salt water is lots of coconut oil. I personally like to make my salt bars with 100% coconut oil for the best lather.
As for salt, I use fine sea salt. I used to add enough salt to equal my weight in oils in my batches, and then half as much, but I'm finding lately that I really like adding only 1/4 of salt ppo (divide your total oil amount by 4 and whatever you come up with as an answer, add that amount to your batch as salt). I've done 2 batches with this amount of salt so far, and I really like it. I still get a rock-solid bar of soap that feels as smooth as glass when bathed with, but it's it's much easier to cut when unmolding because the reduced salt results in less crumbling when cutting.
The one I did last night had the 1/4 salt I mentioned, 100% coconut oil, 100% coconut milk as my total liquid, and it was superfatted at 13%. It makes for a great feeling bar of soap.
Depending on how much salt you add, you'll want to adjust your batch size to compensate. My usual size batch is 2.5 lbs, and with the reduced salt amount that I added, I adjusted my batch down to 2.35 lbs. to roughly get the same bar thickness I'm used to. I use a slab mold with high sides, which is more forgiving than my log molds where the size of my salt bar batches are concerned. I can go a bit over on my salt bar batch size without ever overflowing my mold.
Add the salt at trace with a whisk. I add mine right after ading the F/O, and if I still have time, I do some 'in the pot' swirls and then pour.
After you get done pouring into your mold, stick your mold (assuming it's oven-safe) in a warm (not hot), oven to encourage gel. Once it gels and firms back up enough (which can take as little as a half hour at times, but usually an hour, or sometimes a little more or so), unmold it and cut it right away, even if the soap is
hot (use gloves). If you wait too long to cut, it will be too hard to cut smoothly and evenly. You really have to keep an eye on it to catch it at the right time. I check on mine every 10 to 15 minutes.
If you have any more questions don't hesitate to ask.
IrishLass
