Salt bar with lard?

[xraygrl]

I have made salt bars with lard before. I can't remember the percentage I used off hand, but it turned out very nice. I also love lard in soap. It imparts hardness, creaminess to the lather, and conditioning.

 

[mhawk85]

I was just thinking about trying a 100% lard salt bar. I love lard soaps.

 

[Susie]

I doubt you would get any lather to speak of with a 100% lard salt bar. CO being the primary oil is usually what works best for salt bars. However, if you try it, please report back. I would love to add more lard to the salt bars. I do not like salt bars, but my son's friends think it is wonderful for skin issues.

 

[HappyHomeSoapCo]

I'd love to know everyone's thoughts on the recipe I am planning for a salt bar. I am looking for more of a "regular" bar with added salt benefits rather than a high % salt bar. Here is what I am planning on doing. 60% coconut, 10% olive, 10% shea, 15% castor, 5% tallow. With 50% sea salt ratio. What do you all think of this formula? should I use less salt considering I am only using 60% coconut? I want a good lather that is very conditioning.

 

[Obsidian]

I would lower the castor to 10%, drop the tallow and raise the olive oil. Olive oil will give you more conditioning so you want a decent amount of it. You might want to try only 25% salt and a SF of 15.

 

[shunt2011]

I too would drop your caster to no more than 10%. I use 80% CO with other oils and I only use 25% salt most times and 20% SF. I love salt bars. They make a lovely creamy lather.

 

[HappyHomeSoapCo]

Ok, yes I was planning on a 15% SF. I always understood castor oil to be very conditioning and bubbly so that is why I thought to make that higher than the olive. What about a water discount? I use 30% water on all my recipes (except beer soap). Do salt bars need the suggested 38%? And now I will only use 25% salt, added at a light trace. Will that still require me to cut after a couple hours? Thanks for all the help! I need to make this batch asap, and don't have time for a test batch. I will be using 125 oz oil in order to fill my 10 lb loaf mold.

So here is my final formula (i like whole numbers for ounces so that is why the % are weird):
125 oz total oil
15% SF
Water at 38% (unless you suggest something else?)

60% coconut
16% olive
9.6% shea
8% castor
6.4% tallow
25% sea salt

 

[IrishLass]

Ok, yes I was planning on a 15% SF. I always understood castor oil to be very conditioning and bubbly so that is why I thought to make that higher than the olive.

Castor, although conditioning (at least I find it to be so), is not exactly what I would consider to be a 'bubbly' oil. Instead, I find it to enhance the bubbly lather already present in my formula from oils such as coconut, PKO or babassu. In other words, it gives them 'body'. There is a point of diminishing returns, though. Having 15% castor in a soap superfatted at 15% might be too much. If it were me, I would drop it to no more than 10%, as Shari suggested.

What about a water discount? I use 30% water on all my recipes (except beer soap). Do salt bars need the suggested 38%?

Speaking only for myself, I like to use a 'full-water' amount (or close enough to it) when I make my salt bars. I find it makes for easier cutting.

And now I will only use 25% salt, added at a light trace. Will that still require me to cut after a couple hours?

Yes. I cut mine as soon as it firms back up from gel, when the soap is still quite warm/hot. I get the best cutting results that way (I use 25% salt, too).

So here is my final formula (i like whole numbers for ounces so that is why the % are weird):

125 oz total oil
15% SF
Water at 38% (unless you suggest something else?)

60% coconut
16% olive
9.6% shea
8% castor
6.4% tallow
25% sea salt

That looks good to me!

IrishLass

 

[HappyHomeSoapCo]

Thank you so much!!! I now, am not so worried to go ahead with such a large batch!!! Thanks everyone!

 

[Crombie]

Salt Bar

Even using 50% salt, you will want to use 80% coconut oil and SF at 20%, no matter what your other % of oils are. You will get significantly reduced lather if you don't from my experience. And, at 50% salt, it is still considered a salt bar. Salt bars range in % by 50 - 100%.

Anita
www.sadiesmissionsoaps.com

 

[HappyHomeSoapCo]

Here are my first two salt bars! Made with the recipe I stated above, which includes tallow. I sure hope they prove to be a nice bar! I did wait too long to cut, so some are crumbly on the bottoms. But over all, I am pleased!

 

[KristaY]

Ooohh! Nice work! I love the contrast of color from light to dark in the second one. Great job! :clap: