Layers

[Second Impression]

I made a soap last week with layers that had to be poured in multiple batches. Basically, poured the bottom layer one day (CPOP) then the top layer the next day (CPOP). Unmolded 24 hours after the top layer and cut after another 24 hours. My bars seem like they want to come apart between the two layers :? I'm leaving them alone and hoping by magic they bond together a bit more tightly.

Did I wait too long to pour that top layer? Is there any nifty trick to getting layers to stick together when they're not poured from the same batch? Or do I just need to be patient and let them cure? I did use the same recipe with full water which I've used enough times before to get excellent results from, so nothing wrong there at least.

 

[2lilboots]

I am curious why you waited 24 hrs to pour the additional layers.

 

[VanessaP]

Rather than waiting until the next day to pour, you could have made the bottom layer and poured it into the mold and let it sit there and thicken while you made the batch for the second layer. If the bottom layer had gotten quite thick while you made the second batch, you could have simply poured straight on top of the bottom layer - even if it wasn't quite that thick, you could have easily taken a spoon and gently poured onto the spoon fairly close to the first layer, so the weight of the soap wouldn't break the layer. I think the layers are going to fall apart because you waited too long between the layers, as the water evaporates, the bars are going to shrink a bit more and that means that it will be a higher chance of the two layers separating.

 

[lizflowers42]

Bummer You can still use the chunks and make imbeds!

 

[new12soap]

What Vanessa said, the trick to getting layers to stick together is to pour them soon enough so that they gel together.

 

[Second Impression]

I am curious why you waited 24 hrs to pour the additional layers.

Having 3 small kids only gives me hour-ish windows of time to soap and completely clean up. Some pours are a bit too complicated (lol or poorly planned out) to finish in an hour. Boo :-(

 

[Second Impression]

What Vanessa said, the trick to getting layers to stick together is to pour them soon enough so that they gel together.

I kind of figured that but somehow rationalized that CPOP would take care of that :lolno:
But now I know better

 

[thefarmerdaughter]

This may not work. But what if you ungelled you first layer, than 24h later poured the second one and gelled it? would that help the layers bond? Or maybe not, I was just thinking about my ungelled soaps and how they stay soft and malleable... But I think Liz's idea of imbeds is a smart one!

 

[lizflowers42]

But I think Liz's idea of imbeds is a smart one!

I'll try not to let that go to my head TFD Since I've not done any fancy soaps yet, I've contemplated taking some of my soap that already made, and either making soap curls or little cut outs to put into another batch of soap...but also because I don't sell my soap and I am growing a collection and I just keep itching to make more and more and MORE!!!

 

[sistrum]

All my left over bits and small bars go into my "just soap" bars now. I just had to many and didn't want to throw them away. I pour into PVC pipes so I don't have to worry if the batch will fit in my molds.

Now when family wants "free soap" they get these.

 

[thefarmerdaughter]

2nd Impressions, Are you soaping at nap time? :grin: There have been many days when I've tucked the younguns in bed and scampered to the back of the house to try to rock out a batch! Using your failed layers as imbeds (chopping them up ahead of time) could help with you time constraint.

 

[Second Impression]

2nd Impressions, Are you soaping at nap time? :grin: There have been many days when I've tucked the younguns in bed and scampered to the back of the house to try to rock out a batch! Using your failed layers as imbeds (chopping them up ahead of time) could help with you time constraint.

ROFL All 3 kids nap at the same time!? If the planets ever align and they do nap together, forget soaping, I'm taking a nap too! Ugh I love my kids but I can't wait until they're all a bit older and I can get out of little kid/baby survival mode ;-)

I haven't given up hope on this batch yet! Going to give it a few more days and see how they hold up to water.