Soap Dust

[Guest]

Does anyone have any idea's on how we can eliminate "soap dust" from my soaps - we combine the goats milk/lye mixture (approx. 90 - 95 deg.C) with the oils which are the same temp or up to 5-8 deg. C hotter, bring to light trace add colour first then EO's or FO's then mould, I don't like going any higher in temps because I use goats milk. When we mould in the round PVC pipes we don't have any problems with the soap dust, but when we pour into the novelty moulds we always seem to get the soap dust.

After we unmould the PVC pipes, we put them on the drying racks and cover them with a towel for 24 hours to cutting - the novelty moulds (especially the 3D moulds) are easier to remove from the mould if left for 48 - 72 hours - all this time the novelty soaps are insulated in lined polystrene boxes. When unmoulded, all the novelty moulds are wrapped again in hand towels to keep warm (it's cold here at the moment).

I just went downstairs to check on the soaps and found "soap dust" over my "Baby In The Hand" soaps. I can't cut the soap dust off novelty moulds!!! Any suggestions?

This is what I read on Soap, Body and Spa....................
Soap dust is more likely to appear on soaps that have been mixed and poured either too hot or cold, or not insulated properly after pouring, so that the temperature either drops or spikes to quickly during your gel phase.

If I combine at higher temps I'll have volcano eruptions, so should I combine a lower temps:? Am I insulating too much:?

 

[judymoody]

I suspect that your soap in the PVC molds is gelling and the soap in your novelty molds is not. Ungelled soap is more prone to ash than gelled soap. If you are using individual soap molds, you can either force gel in the oven (assuming your mold can sustain the heat) or you can cover them with plastic film and be very patient about not unmolding them too soon. Leave them be for a few days. Once saponification is complete, ash shouldn't form on the surfaces.

Certain fragrances and oils are also more prone to ash than others. For example, I find that shea butter, especially if I don't gel, is more prone to ash.

I have seen a youtube video where a soaper removed ash by using steam, including a cute individual molded soap. Maybe this might work for you.

 

[Guest]

Thank you for that tip - could very well be the problem so first I'll try the plastic although the soap moulds could be put in the over, I would rather leave that "try" to last. I'll get some plastic tomorrow and try it out with another set of Baby In The Hand as I need to make another 10 of these novelty soaps. I'll go hunting now for the video and see how the steam works - will let you know.

 

[sudbubblez]

The ash or soap dust is sodium carbonate. It is a reaction with the active lye in the soap and carbon dioxide in the air. All you have to do is shield the soap from the air untill saponification is complete. Its less likely in gelled soap because the heat that causes gel also speeds up saponification so theres a smaller window for ash to form. Oven processing speeds saponification as well and helps prevent ash. My favorite method for removing it when it happens is steam. However, if its really thick the steam won't remove it all and some manual polishing might be needed.

 

[dryalligator]

:?: I do goats milk and I use goat ice cubes. I put in the freezer or fridge and I spray alcohol on colored/swirled when firm. I still get ash when cut bars are 48 hrs old. I also cpop and when 24 hrs pass, I spray with alcohol and notice some or none depending on frag. CANNOT figure out the science! The steam works if you do it early--1-2 days cut and curing.

 

[Guest]

I've just tried the steam with a soap I just unmoulded and it worked a treat!!!! Thanks for that tip - I just held the soap over a boiling pot of water for about 4 seconds, then let the soap dry on the rack - problem solved but would sure like to not have the problem in the first place!!!!!
Thank you

 

[sudbubblez]

If you are having a consistent problem with ash, it may be coming from the way the lye is being stored. If the container is not sealed airtight it will turn into sodium carbonate and thus ash will be in the soap to begin with.