soap getting mushy soft in the bathroom

[Bubli]

All my soap even store bought does that if I don't use a rack type dish that makes it impossible for the soap rest in water.

 

[Rowan]

Uh, is this the post you're thinking of? http://www.soapmakingforum.com/showpost.php?p=383997&postcount=17

Everyone is right -- any soap, whether commercial or handcrafted, will mush if allowed to sit in water, but I'd say handcrafted soap is more prone to mushing due to its nature.

Ways to minimize mushing:

Use a CP method that allows the soap to gel during saponification

Use a more concentrated lye solution (less water in the bars to begin with, so less water after the cure)

Allow a full cure (evaporate as much water as possible)

Maximize the % of fatty acids in the recipe that make less soluble soaps. This includes the stearic and palmitic fatty acids from lard, tallow, palm, cocoa butter, etc.

Minimize the % of fatty acids that make highly soluble soaps. This includes the oleic, linoleic, linolenic fatty acids (olive, soy, safflower, etc.) and the lauric and myristic fatty acids (coconut oil, palm kernel oil, etc)

Thanks Deeanna, that was the thread I was talking about. It explains things beautifully. The rest of the information will be so helpful too. I can't wait to try out these new ideas. What bliss.....further reasons to make more soap and experiment!