Soda ash or overheated bubbles?

[KentuckySilks]

Just wondering if this is an overheated soap or just plain soda ash? I’m thinking it’s overheated because of the uniformity of the dots. Thanks!

 

[ScentimentallyYours]

@KentuckySilks that’s a wonderful picture of soda ash!

 

[KentuckySilks]

@KentuckySilks that’s a wonderful picture of soda ash!

 

[KentuckySilks]

Awwww, ugly stuff- that mold that I use prevents me from covering it with saran wrap because it would touch the soap. I need to start using my old wooden silicone lined mold with a cover. Helps a little bit and I believe. Course I was really into hot process for so many soaps because I avoided the dreaded soda ash, did a gel or did it not gel?, Fixing sents longer, etc..(or at least that’s what I thought)

 

[artemis]

Personally, I think a textured top is improved by soda ash. It makes all the little details stand out.

 

[ScentimentallyYours]

Let it cure a couple days and you can wash the soda ash off the tops and/or spritz them with 70% rubbing alcohol. Should get rid of the worst of it and give the swirls a glossy surface.

Edit to add: you can use a handheld steamer to get rid of it and give you a glossy surface, too!

 

[ackosel]

That's what my soda ash looks like. Ugly stuff, though I did have some that turned out very pretty, looking like white snow on a gray day. But mostly, I keep trying to find ways to control it.

 

[KentuckySilks]

Yep, I used my steam setting on my iron and cleared it right up, on another batch- I wait a week bc it seems to keep accumulating over the first few days.
Also, started covering to cut tops and that helps too

 

[dmcgee5034]

Awwww, ugly stuff- that mold that I use prevents me from covering it with saran wrap because it would touch the soap. I need to start using my old wooden silicone lined mold with a cover. Helps a little bit and I believe. Course I was really into hot process for so many soaps because I avoided the dreaded soda ash, did a gel or did it not gel?, Fixing sents longer, etc..(or at least that’s what I thought)

Even when my soap is over the edge, once it’s set up really well, I cover it with plastic wrap and it prevents soda ash. Maybe just wait longer before you cover it?