Soap unmolding and cutting

[Sarah Seaton]

Hello! I am new to soap making so I have a silly question. I tried a new soap recipe recently that I really enjoyed working with. The only problem was that I went to un-mold my soap after 48 hours and it was still pretty soft. I had trouble getting it out of the mold and my fingers were making dents in it. I wait another 2 days to cut it and it was still a bit soft. When this happens, should I wait even longer to un-mold the soap? Or is it unusual that it should take so long to firm up? I also tried covering it differently, and although I was really happy to have my first batch without soda ash, I was thinking that may be the reason my soap was taking awhile to harden. Thank you for your help!

 

[dixiedragon]

recipe please?

Recipes that are low in hard oils (coconut, lard, tallow, palm, shea butter, cocoa butter) will take longer to firm up. High olive oil soaps especially. Did you gel?

 

[jcandleattic]

Depending on your recipe, ambient temps, whether the soap gelled or not, and other environmental surroundings, and especially if you are using a high olive oil content, it can take up to a week to unmold and cut. Sometimes longer.

 

[Sarah Seaton]

recipe please?

Recipes that are low in hard oils (coconut, lard, tallow, palm, shea butter, cocoa butter) will take longer to firm up. High olive oil soaps especially. Did you gel?

I think I did get gel. My recipe is pretty low in hard oils. In that case, is it normal to wait about a week before unmolding?

recipe please?

Recipes that are low in hard oils (coconut, lard, tallow, palm, shea butter, cocoa butter) will take longer to firm up. High olive oil soaps especially. Did you gel?

I used Olive oil, canola oil, coconut oil, sweet almond oil, castor oil and kokum butter.

Depending on your recipe, ambient temps, whether the soap gelled or not, and other environmental surroundings, and especially if you are using a high olive oil content, it can take up to a week to unmold and cut. Sometimes longer.

Thank you so much!

 

[KristaY]

A week to unmold isn't uncommon with a recipe high in soft oils. What about the water? How much did you use? When you mentioned you had trouble in the past with soda ash, the water amount struck me. When I was using the default water amount in Soap Calc, I usually got ash. I decreased the water to lye ratio to 2:1 or less and no more soda ash.

 

[LaToya]

This may be only a temporary fix suggestion for that moment when you realize that it is already happening - Stick it in the freezer then try again later.

 

[Sarah Seaton]

A week to unmold isn't uncommon with a recipe high in soft oils. What about the water? How much did you use? When you mentioned you had trouble in the past with soda ash, the water amount struck me. When I was using the default water amount in Soap Calc, I usually got ash. I decreased the water to lye ratio to 2:1 or less and no more soda ash.

My water to lye ratio was 2.7:1 That's good to know! I had no idea that had an effect on soda ash.

This may be only a temporary fix suggestion for that moment when you realize that it is already happening - Stick it in the freezer then try again later.

Good idea!

 

[KristaY]

My water to lye ratio was 2.7:1 That's good to know! I had no idea that had an effect on soda ash.

There's part of the problem! At 2.7:1 water to lye ratio, you've added quite a bit of water you don't need. It'll keep the soap softer longer, not only extra time to unmold, but extra time curing to firm up.

To compare your water to my standard recipe of 36 oz oils, I use 9.1 oz water (258 gms) which is 1.8:1 ratio. Same recipe at your ratio is 13.7 oz (388 gms). Those few oz/gms really make a difference in the time it will take to firm up. You'll also notice your soda ash problem will vanish (mostly anyway as I have a couple of FO's that cause ash no matter what I do).

I suggest trying 2:1 water to lye and see how that works out for you. Good luck Sarah!

 

[Sarah Seaton]

There's part of the problem! At 2.7:1 water to lye ratio, you've added quite a bit of water you don't need. It'll keep the soap softer longer, not only extra time to unmold, but extra time curing to firm up.

To compare your water to my standard recipe of 36 oz oils, I use 9.1 oz water (258 gms) which is 1.8:1 ratio. Same recipe at your ratio is 13.7 oz (388 gms). Those few oz/gms really make a difference in the time it will take to firm up. You'll also notice your soda ash problem will vanish (mostly anyway as I have a couple of FO's that cause ash no matter what I do).

I suggest trying 2:1 water to lye and see how that works out for you. Good luck Sarah!

That is so helpful! Thank you

 

[Amy78130]

When I have soft batches like Castile, I set my soap in a well ventilated area and let a fan blow on it. I also put silica packets near the bars without the packets touching them. It maybe overkill, but I swear it helps!! Did you use sodium lactate in your lye water? This also helps with unfolding!

 

[Sarah Seaton]

When I have soft batches like Castile, I set my soap in a well ventilated area and let a fan blow on it. I also put silica packets near the bars without the packets touching them. It maybe overkill, but I swear it helps!! Did you use sodium lactate in your lye water? This also helps with unfolding!

I did not use sodium lactate. Would you recommend it?

 

[Amy78130]

I did not use sodium lactate. Would you recommend it?

Yes, definitely!! It really helps to harden the bars before cutting! You can also dissolve a little sea salt in your water before adding the lye, but I prefer the sodium lactate.. If you try the sea salt, just add 1/2 teaspoon of salt per pound of total oils used in your recipe.

 

[Sarah Seaton]

Yes, definitely!! It really helps to harden the bars before cutting! You can also dissolve a little sea salt in your water before adding the lye, but I prefer the sodium lactate.. If you try the sea salt, just add 1/2 teaspoon of salt per pound of total oils used in your recipe.

Do i add the sodium lactate the same time I add the lye to the water, or wait until just before I add it to my oils. And how much do you put it? Haha sorry for all the questions.

 

[Amy78130]

Do i add the sodium lactate the same time I add the lye to the water, or wait until just before I add it to my oils. And how much do you put it? Haha sorry for all the questions.

No worries! Just add the sodium lactate after your lye water has cooled down a bit. If you’re using sea salt, mix it in the water before adding your lye or else you’ll end up with salt bars. Which are awesome, but not if you’re not planning on them... I’ve had a film when adding too much salt to my water after adding the lye, but it hasn’t caused an issue with my bars. Ask as many questions as you like or need! That’s why we’re here! To help support our fellow makers!

 

[Rogue-Soaper]

When I have soft batches like Castile, I set my soap in a well ventilated area and let a fan blow on it. I also put silica packets near the bars without the packets touching them. It maybe overkill, but I swear it helps!! Did you use sodium lactate in your lye water? This also helps with unfolding!

Good idea!

 

[Sarah Seaton]

No worries! Just add the sodium lactate after your lye water has cooled down a bit. If you’re using sea salt, mix it in the water before adding your lye or else you’ll end up with salt bars. Which are awesome, but not if you’re not planning on them... I’ve had a film when adding too much salt to my water after adding the lye, but it hasn’t caused an issue with my bars. Ask as many questions as you like or need! That’s why we’re here! To help support our fellow makers!

And does the sodium lactate or salt accelerate trace at all?

 

[Amy78130]

And does the sodium lactate or salt accelerate trace at all?

The salt can make things move very quickly, depending on how much you use. I've never had any trouble using sodium lactate!

 

[shunt2011]

And does the sodium lactate or salt accelerate trace at all?

I’ve never had salt or SL accelerate my soap batches. I mostly use SL these days but sometimes salt.

 

[Rogue-Soaper]

I have not had SL or salt accelerate my trace either.

 

[dixiedragon]

I have recently started replacing my water with vinegar, and it makes the soap ready to unmold really fast! If you use 100% vinegar replacement, drop your superfat from 5% to 0, because the vinegar will neutralize some of the lye. So you will still end up with approximately 5% superfat. I love how easy it slides out of the molds! However, you will need to be prepared to unmold and slice in 8-12 hrs, vs 24.