Slimy Bars

[SoapinInAl]

The bars have cured 4 weeks. They are really slimy when they get wet. What did I do wrong?

 

[new12soap]

You used a lot of soft oils and only let them cure 4 weeks. Put them away for at least another 4 weeks and then try them again. With that much olive oil I am going to guess that they will probably need at least 3 months to be at their best, and even then they will still get a little "slimy" when they sit in water.

 

[coffeetime]

I've used 40-50% olive oils in some recipes and didn't get slimy. Granted they had a thinner lather than my recipes under 30%, but not slimy. Did you add anything other than the oils, lye/water?

 

[coffeetime]

You made 10lbs of a recipe you weren't sure of??

 

[Obsidian]

Slimy as in snotty stringy slime or just really slick? When ever making a new recipe, stick with 1-2 pounds.

 

[SoapinInAl]

Yes I did because at that point I only had a 36 bar mold from brambleberry.

 

[SoapinInAl]

After not being happy with several batches of soap (spending way too much money on products) I have finally ordered 2 lb mold.

 

[Obsidian]

Are you fairly new to handmade soap? Its much slicker then store bought bars, maybe thats what you are feeling. 100% olive oil soap is quite slimy though, it get a sticky, gel like coating when wet.

 

[SoapinInAl]

What is a good percent of olive oil to use 30%? What else can I combine with it to get a really nice bar?

 

[SoapinInAl]

I have been botching batches for a year now so yes pretty new to it all.

 

[cmzaha]

This is why I very seldom use over 20% olive oil in my soaps and normally use 15% unless I am making 100% OO soap. I really only use it because it is cheap, but I absolutely do not like it over 20%. Let your soapies cure longer

 

[OliveOil2]

Your colors and swirls are beautiful, I have swirl envy! So you just need to experiment to get the feel and lather you like. I don't know the solution for the slimy feel, your numbers look good, I would decrease the coconut about 5% and add that to the Palm. That would decrease your cleansing number, I don't use sweet almond oil very often anymore because I worry about people with nut allergies. If this is just for you that isn't an issue.

 

[Obsidian]

Your soaps are beautiful, any cut pictures? What do you want in a bar of soap? That will help us help you with a recipe.

One of my basic recipes is 50% lard or palm, 25% olive oil, 20% coconut and 5% castor. It makes a nice hard, long last bar that doesn't dry the skin.

 

[SoapinInAl]

I use more olive oil because it is cheaper too. But in the long run I guess I waste money.

 

[SoapinInAl]

This swirl turned out pretty. This is my 3rd batch I have colored.

 

[Obsidian]

Very nice swirls, thanks for posting I often use 50% OO and like the soaps just fine, its only when I use around 70-80% that I really notice a difference I don't care for.

 

[hmlove1218]

I also use around 50% OO. I don't really notice the "slime" (which I actually happen to like lol) until at least 70%.

Beautiful swirls by the way!

 

[IrishLass]

Very beautiful swirls!

I second Obsidian's question- can you describe in more detail what you mean by 'slimy'? In other words, is it just slick/slippery feeling when you lather it in your hands, or else does it exhibit a goopy/stringy, raw egg white-like coating on the surface of the bar when wet? I ask because one of my keeper formula's contains 50% OO and it's not slimy at all. Slick- yes, but not slimy in terms of developing a thick layer of goopy snot on the surface that hangs down like saliva from a drooling dog's mouth- like my 100% OO soap does when wet.

IrishLass

 

[DeeAnna]

"...goopy snot on the surface that hangs down like saliva from a drooling dog's mouth..."

Hey, girl ... that's just .... eeeewwwww!!

 

[shunt2011]

Another one who uses 50% OO without any goopy snot...lol My bars are nice and hard with great lather. They are slippery but I find most my soaps are. The only one I don't like even with a long cure is my 100% OO. Just don't care for that one.