I'm confused, I thought I'd copy someone's recipe from here and give it a go but when I ran it through soap calc, all of the numbers were way off. Is that normal for a salt bar. And did I have to add the salts to the calculator cuz I couldn't find them on there. Am I only running the recipe through soap calc to get my lye and water amounts. My recipe is going to be 80% fractionated coconut oil, 8% olive oil, 7% Shea butter, 5% castor oil and 20% superfat and 80% weight in salts. Does this sound right and should I insulate for 24hrs before unmoulding from silicon mould. Thanks everyone
I want to try make my first salt bar-help please!
- Thread starter toyah999
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lpstephy85
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What part of the numbers do you think were off? Also, can you provide the link to the recipe that you wanted to use so that can be reviewed? Salt bars shouldn't be insulated and usually are able to be unmolded and cut after a couple of hours. They harden up way faster than a normal batch.
Salt bars
That recipe seems to be ok although I would use less salt myself -maybe
60%-65%. Do not insulate as these harden quite quickly.
I also recommend using individual silicone moulds as these are easy to unmould when the bars harden.
If you make a loaf you have to get your timing right -if you leave them too long they will be difficult to cut. Good luck............Helenz
That recipe seems to be ok although I would use less salt myself -maybe
60%-65%. Do not insulate as these harden quite quickly.
I also recommend using individual silicone moulds as these are easy to unmould when the bars harden.
If you make a loaf you have to get your timing right -if you leave them too long they will be difficult to cut. Good luck............Helenz
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The recipe looks OK, the numbers will come up super cleansing hence the 20% superfat. You will find it's not as drying as the numbers look after a good cure though. If you are using a log mold I would watch it carefully. As soon as you can unmold and cut - do it. I have butchered every log I tried. Individual molds are so much easier.
Salt bars are one of those oddballs that don't look so great on soap calc, just like 100% olive oil Castile soap.
FWIW I typically use 80% oil weight as salt, 80 % coconut oil, 5% castor and 15% whatever you like, 20% SF ( though surprisingly SF as low as 5% isn't as drying as you'd think, if coconut oil doesn't bother you). I keep meaning to try varying the salt or CO amounts, but I like this soap too well.
FWIW I typically use 80% oil weight as salt, 80 % coconut oil, 5% castor and 15% whatever you like, 20% SF ( though surprisingly SF as low as 5% isn't as drying as you'd think, if coconut oil doesn't bother you). I keep meaning to try varying the salt or CO amounts, but I like this soap too well.
I am the oddball that prefers no higher than 15% superfat in a salt bar. Any higher they feel very oily to me. I always pour mine in a log mold and cut as soon as I can handle it. It will still be quite warm when I cut
Thanks, here's my soap calc recipe. I didn't change the fragrance as I'm not sure how much to use but other than that does this look normal. 400g is 320g salt at 80% right? What happens if you use more or less salt? What qualities will change in the soap. Also I'm curious, I use extra virgin olive oil and it is a very dark green which combined with other oils for my soap turns the whole batch a yucky green colour but I've seen vids where people have used large amounts of OO without adding colour and the batch was a nice beige colour. Am I delusional or am I using the wrong OO. Thanks
You are using the wrong OO, try plain OO, not EV and you will get a lighter bar.
I use Coconut Oil 76 not Fractionated Coconut Oil. Plus Fractionated CO is more expensive. I've not used it for a salt bar so can't speak to how it will be. Otherwise your recipe looks okay to me. I too use regluar OO.
WHY are you using fractionated coconut oil???
If I were you, making your first salt bar, I would stick with 100% regular 76 degree coconut oil, superfat between 15 and 20%, then add 50% of your oil weight in salt. That will give you a very good soap and an idea of whether you like the salt bars. From there you can tweak your recipe with butters and more or less salt. Personally I only use 25% salt and find that is plenty.
Your fragrance usage rate depends on what you are using. The supplier where you bought it should tell you how much is okay in soap. A fragrance oil is usually used at 5% of your oils (but not always!) and EOs are generally recommended at a maximum of 3% (again, you must check!) depending on what type.
HTH
edited to add: I see shunt just beat me to the fractionated question
If I were you, making your first salt bar, I would stick with 100% regular 76 degree coconut oil, superfat between 15 and 20%, then add 50% of your oil weight in salt. That will give you a very good soap and an idea of whether you like the salt bars. From there you can tweak your recipe with butters and more or less salt. Personally I only use 25% salt and find that is plenty.
Your fragrance usage rate depends on what you are using. The supplier where you bought it should tell you how much is okay in soap. A fragrance oil is usually used at 5% of your oils (but not always!) and EOs are generally recommended at a maximum of 3% (again, you must check!) depending on what type.
HTH
edited to add: I see shunt just beat me to the fractionated question
kmarvel
Well-Known Member
I usually insulate my loaf mold with a bath towel for 2 hrs. Then I cut them into bars. They will be warm but I have never had mine crumble if I cut at the 2 hr mark.
Thanks everyone for the help. I was using fractionated coconut oil because I ran out of regular CO but I'll wait until I get some more. I'm glad I asked the OO question, I'll have to get some regular olive oil too. Thanks so much!
