So 4-6 weeks to cure - how do you know?

[Micchi]

Short answer to "how do you know" is "trial, error, time, and patience".

I usually start testing about 24-48 hours after cutting, provided it passes a zap test. Test once a week, take notes on it. I have my primary recipe down pretty well, so I already know how it's going to age and mature...but there's more than just how it feels to test. I'm also looking for if the colorants make colored suds, if those suds stain or wash off easily, how well the scent stays in the bar, how the scent lingers on the skin, and if anything in how the soap is aging seems off. I've found that 4 weeks is an absolute minimum to go out the door - it's a good bar, it feels nice, I feel proud to have my name on it...but at 6 weeks, it's a really luxurious soap to use. So unless I'm in a pinch (usually because someone is visiting and I want to give them a gift), I'll let a soap cure 6 weeks minimum.

 

[Dahila]

2 years old soaps are my favorite even the recipe is so simple

 

[Hendejm]

I pulled out a bar of soap my sister made about 10 years ago - there wasn’t any smell (not sure there ever was) - but I loved how well it lathered and felt in my skin. I called and asked her what she used and she said it was pig lard from one of their pigs on the farm.

 

[Dahila]

I am using 4 years old no scent at all, no DOs,, the lather is incredible and mildness