Hot processed versus cold processed in terms of curing

[artemis]

Like for instance, today I just used a bar that I made back on April 5th. ... It is hard, but after I used it to shower, It does seem more soft now.

What kind of soap dish are you using? If the soap doesn't get a chance to dry out between uses, it will get soft.

 

[linne1gi]

What is ash? I mean is this something that soap does?

Definitely looks like ash. Ash is sodium carbonate - formed when the unreacted lye reacts with the carbon dioxide in the air. It sounds to me like you didn't actually hot process your soap. Heating it until it is thick is not how hot process soap is made. You would have to continue heating it until it goes through gel stage - which hot process soapers call vaseline stage. That is why you have ash. Ways to prevent ash is to water discount, pour your batter at a thick trace, and cover your soap until it has fully gone through saponification about 48 hours to be sure.