Oily stuff coming out of curing soap

[SoapieCP]

Hi

Please forgive my newbieness, but I have just yesterday made my first batch of CP soap and touch wood all seems to have gone very smoothly.

The recipe I used was:
8oz Olive Oil
8oz Hemp Seed Oil
2.1oz Lye
6oz water

Very simple recipe and seems all OK with Sap Calc I think, my question is this.

I poured the soap into two small plastic loaf shaped containers and have left in the bathroom under a teatowel to cure. I know its only been 24hrs or so and very early stages but hey I cant wait to try them out, so checking all the time to see how they're getting on curing.

Today I noticed that one seems to be leaking oil droplets almost like its sweating the stuff.
I havent touched it as I dont know if it may be caustic, and I just wondered if anyone here might know what it is and why only one of the tubs is doing this???

My other question is when should I pop off the moulds and leave to finish the process?

To be honest I didnt expect my first experience of Soap making to be so much fun and starighht forward, as I was always under the impression that it was so much more tricky. Athough I have no doubt that more complicated recipes most probably are. :shock:

Thank you in advance for your patience with me while I get up to speed. :wink:
SoapieCP x

 

[Lindy]

Hi SoapieCP - You can do a couple of things. First - yes - you can pull them out of the molds and let them continue to dry. It may just be that of the oils haven't been absorbed and it dry up. The other is that it could be lye pockets and if that the case you need to rebatch the soap to take it through full gel and get the lye mixed in.

The easiest thing to do is to take the "wet" spot and touch it to your tongue (zap test) - if it feels like you've just been zapped by a 9 volt battery - it's lye - if it just tastes bad you've nothing to worry about.

HTH

Lindy

 

[SoapieCP]

Hi Thanks for the super fast response.
Blimy I hope it just tastes yucky and Im not zapped!!! Will let know how I get on in the morning.
Many thanks
SoapieCP x

 

[carebear]

personally I leave such soaps alone because sometimes the stuff is reabsorbed. If not I test for zap and then blot with a paper towel - if it had zapped I give it a rinse before setting out to cure. And be sure to cut one apart to look for lye pockets.

if they are hard then go ahead and take them out of the mold.

you say they were in the bathroom - is it particularly cold, hot, or humid in there?

 

[SoapieCP]

OK update so far, I went back to check the soap yesterday night only to find that the oil had been reabsorbed. I should have been more patient, Doh!!! :O At least know I know for next time.

I then decided to unmould the soap, mmm should've used plastic wrap or similar to make release easier OOps. But got one block out all intact! Phew

I chopped it up to finish curing and could see the process working. The pieces in the middle had a more liquid look which was smaller towards the outside cut pieces. Now I can watch and see the curing take place.

As I mentioned the other block was not so lucky when getting it out of the mould. It has crumbled.

I guess my next question is what is rebatching? and is this what I need to do with the crumbled block?

SoapieCP x Edited for typos

 

[SoapMom]

I didn't know about the "zap" test. I'll have to remember that one! Thanks for the tip!

 

[SoapieCP]

Here is the first batch of soap I have been so excited about.

As you can see the soap in the middle is curing I think???, err... I hope thats what the clearish bit in the middle shows!!!

I have to admit I know its really early days but I have tried out a few of the dried out bits which were on the outside edge when I cut the block up, and it does feel creamy and soft when lathering. Also my hands havent dropped off since using it so fingers crossed it may turn out OK. :shock:

I do promise to leave the rest of it alone, until it has had time to properly cure though.

Edited to add: Please do let me know if you can tell from the pic that I have done something wrong. To be honest I was suprised that it was still jelly in the middle when I cut it, and wasnt sure if was normal. I've assumed this is just part of the process?
DO of course let me know if its NOT!?!

SoapieCP x

 

[memadeit]

Rebatching is when you remelt the soap down then pour it back into the mold to cure again.

My first batch of soap did the same thing as yours. But my lye was very old and the soap still worked just fine when it was used.

 

[carebear]

Edited to add: Please do let me know if you can tell from the pic that I have done something wrong. To be honest I was suprised that it was still jelly in the middle when I cut it, and wasnt sure if was normal. I've assumed this is just part of the process?
DO of course let me know if its NOT!?!

SoapieCP x

The only thing you did was take it out of the mold before it was ready. The jelly part will harden when it cools.

I recommend not taking a soap from the mold until it is all room temperature. i.e., not warm!

 

[ilovedoxies]

I cut two pieces of wax paper and line my plastic mold. The soap comes out A LOT easier.

Best of luck!

 

[SoapieCP]

Mant thanks for the top tips I have soooo much to learn

SoapieCPx