Soaping terminologies

[Wessam]

I am new to soapmaking, and following the forum i came across a few terms that i could not understand:
- Superfating
- gelling the soap
- curing the soap

I would be glad if you could help me understand those terms so i can make better soaps.

 

[newbie]

There are numerous posts describing those very things. I would first do a search of this forum for each of those terms and you will find reams of information. Google searchs will also give you loads of resources for reading about them. They are definite "need to knows" before starting. Welcome to soaping!

 

[lpstephy85]

I am very surprised that we don't have a sticky about soap terms on the CP forum. I agree with Newbie as there are plenty of threads on this site about the terms. Usually when I am trying to figure something out I just throw it out on Google and it will usually come back with a link to SMF thread. Another good thing would be to watch some Soap Making 101 videos as I think she explains a lot of things great for a new soap maker. Since I have been in the new soaper boat, I will throw ya a bone on these:

Superfatting- This is where there is oils left in the soap that the lye has not saponified. The typical standard is 5% so that means 95% of the oils have been saponified while there is 5% left unsaponified. Now this isn't oils that are just sloshing around in your mold, it just means that the lye used up all it needed to make the soap and this is whats left. It can be beneficial if you are making a soap high in coconut oil as that tends to create a higher cleansing number and can make the soap drying to the skin. Superfatting can be adjusted on the soap calc when creating your recipe.

Gelling the soap- This isn't something that is needed to create soap and is up to the soap maker if they want to do so. This is a process during saponification when the soap is in the mold where the soap heats up to a higher temp which turns the soap translucent looking. As the soap cools it will go back to looking like a bar of soap. I have yet to see this myself in person since I try not to peak at my soap Some people avoid gel because if they used something that can overheat their soap, they run the risk of overheating issues like cracks in the top, soap alien brains, and soap climbing out of the mold. Scary, I know but it is not too common especially if you take the steps to prevent it.

Curing the soap- THIS.IS.A.MUST!!! Veteran soapers and some of us that have been around for a little bit know the importance of curing. Standard is 4 weeks minimum but you can let it cure longer (the better) than that. This allows the excess water to evaporate from the soap and helps it become more mild, the lather gets better, and the soap may also last longer.

Hope this helps you along your way

 

[lsg]

You might check out this link:

http://bethannecreates.blogspot.com/2012/07/common-soap-making-terms-and-acronyms.html

 

[IrishLass]

I am very surprised that we don't have a sticky about soap terms on the CP forum

Actually, we do! You can find it right here: http://www.soapmakingforum.com/showthread.php?t=32055

It was set up as an evolving sticky (i.e., it can be added to if you don't see a term or definition or acronym that you would like to be included). I'll go through it and see about adding superfat, cure and gel if I don't already see it listed in there.

If you have anymore suggestions as to what to add, please don't hesitate to let one of us mods/admins know so that we can add it!


IrishLass

 

[newbie]

That lists acronyms but not definitions of the terms. If they were included in that sticky (the definitions), I think you'd have a book on your hands!

 

[Relle]

There are numerous posts describing those very things. I would first do a search of this forum for each of those terms and you will find reams of information. Google searchs will also give you loads of resources for reading about them. They are definite "need to knows" before starting. Welcome to soaping!

I agree, doing some homework on google comes up with a lot of soap info that leeds back to SMF.

 

[IrishLass]

That lists acronyms but not definitions of the terms. If they were included in that sticky (the definitions), I think you'd have a book on your hands!

Newbie- have a look again. If you scroll down past all the acronyms, you will see where the definitions are listed.

IrishLass

 

[newbie]

My apologies! I am myopic, apparently.

 

[lpstephy85]

I apologize as well as I did not see it. I swear I looked

 

[Lion Of Judah]

http://www.soap-making-essentials.com/soap-making-terms.html#.VLnUbsnfQdU
that link has a Glossary of Soap Making Terms // hope it helps

 

[Wessam]

I am very surprised that we don't have a sticky about soap terms on the CP forum. I agree with Newbie as there are plenty of threads on this site about the terms. Usually when I am trying to figure something out I just throw it out on Google and it will usually come back with a link to SMF thread. Another good thing would be to watch some Soap Making 101 videos as I think she explains a lot of things great for a new soap maker. Since I have been in the new soaper boat, I will throw ya a bone on these:

Superfatting- This is where there is oils left in the soap that the lye has not saponified. The typical standard is 5% so that means 95% of the oils have been saponified while there is 5% left unsaponified. Now this isn't oils that are just sloshing around in your mold, it just means that the lye used up all it needed to make the soap and this is whats left. It can be beneficial if you are making a soap high in coconut oil as that tends to create a higher cleansing number and can make the soap drying to the skin. Superfatting can be adjusted on the soap calc when creating your recipe.

Gelling the soap- This isn't something that is needed to create soap and is up to the soap maker if they want to do so. This is a process during saponification when the soap is in the mold where the soap heats up to a higher temp which turns the soap translucent looking. As the soap cools it will go back to looking like a bar of soap. I have yet to see this myself in person since I try not to peak at my soap Some people avoid gel because if they used something that can overheat their soap, they run the risk of overheating issues like cracks in the top, soap alien brains, and soap climbing out of the mold. Scary, I know but it is not too common especially if you take the steps to prevent it.

Curing the soap- THIS.IS.A.MUST!!! Veteran soapers and some of us that have been around for a little bit know the importance of curing. Standard is 4 weeks minimum but you can let it cure longer (the better) than that. This allows the excess water to evaporate from the soap and helps it become more mild, the lather gets better, and the soap may also last longer.

Hope this helps you along your way

Thank yiu so much for taking the time snd effort to help... good luck with your soaping ;-)