SOAP MELTING IN SHOWER

[NANCYB]

Soap in shower is melting, its way too soft after its been sitting in the shower. Nice and hard before - no problem there. I used Crisco, Olive Oil and Castor Oil, lye and rain water. Is it my receipe or something else. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[AshleyR]

Are you keeping it on a soap dish and making sure it dries between uses? If it is just sitting in your shower, wet or in a pool of water, it is normal for handmade soap to get mushy and melt away fast.

To avoid the hassle and wasting my soaps, I usually just cut a single use piece off whichever bar I want to use that day and take it into the shower. This way I can use a different kind every day if I want, and I don't have to worry about wasting the soap or having it get all yucky in the shower.

 

[NANCYB]

Leaving in shower

Thanks for your reply. Yes, I'm leaving in shower on a plastic rack- thought that was OK. I have bought homemade soap and left in shower with no problems. Mine is really soft - I mean I dare to pick it up. I'm confused.

 

[Artephius]

How long did you let it cure?

 

[NANCYB]

At least 4 weeks

I made it May 17th. Now mind you, we have 4 people using the shower daily. Maybe its just a very damp moist environment that's the culprit.

 

[Dixie]

Well it certainly doesn't help that I have young boys but my soap was melting too. They either left it in water or even when it got put on a soap dish or rack it was used so much it just never got dried out. 5 of us.

The best thing I have done is crocheted myself a 100% cotton soap dish. Works fabulously! The cotton instantly pulls the water away from the soap and the soap begins to dry. I have a bar on the kitchen sink that has lasted 6 weeks now and I can barely tell we have used it....because of the cotton soap dish.
So, you might want to try that

 

[Guest]

I agree with Dixie , cotton crocheted soap rug or a piece of terry towel under it on a soap drainer (dollarama 3 for $1.00) my soap has never gone mushy .

Kitn

 

[NANCYB]

Crochet soap dish

Wow! a crochet soap dish, that sounds really interesting. I love to crochet, can you explain more, how to make for example.

Does anyone think I should try a different receipe, or perhaps try a better one that produces a hardier bar.

Thanks guys for your help.

 

[xraygrl]

What strength lye solution are you using? What is the recipe you are using? Is there a reason why no coconut (like sensitive skin?)? If we know your recipe, we may be able to help you better.

 

[Dixie]

NANCYB, I just crochet a flat piece and then put a ruffle around it. You could do a circle or anything you want.

 

[Guest]

I just made a little" rug" of hdc and crocheted in the back loops so it would have ridges for the soap to sit on.

Kitn

 

[NANCYB]

Recipe

28oz olive oil, 15oz crisco, 4.5oz castor oil, 14oz water and 6 oz lye.

Coconut oil is difficult to find in my area ( I live in a small town), the other oils are readily available.

Thanks for the info on the crochet soap dish, I just might try one.

 

[artisan soaps]

..

 

[NANCYB]

Coconut online

yes, I can order online, guess thats what I will do.

 

[xraygrl]

I would lower the water content to at the very most 12 oz. With a recipe like that you could go even lower. That would help, and I agreee with that recipe you would need a much longer cure time. And by all means order yourself some coconut oil. You'll be happy you did.

 

[NANCYB]

Less water?

Xraygirl- you suggest less water, please explain why that would help. I'm new to soap making so just trying to understand. If the water evaporates as soap cures then why would less water help.