soft soap problems

[welsh black]

made a batch of soap using oil percentages that i have used before with no problems. In this batch i swirled with TD and chromium hydroxide green, both colours are still soft to touch after 2 weeks of making. when i cut the loaf it smudged, spoiling the swirl effect. i think ive put too much of the TD and CHG, what do you think? how much of these should i put per pound of oil?

 

[CaraCara]

I can't answer your question but I do have the same problem with a batch from about 2 weeks ago that won't harden. I thought it was the EO but never considered the oxides. Hopefully a seasoned soaper can answer.
BTW, welcome!

 

[kazmi]

Not sure if I can help. Did you mix the oxides with anything first like glycerine or did you just add the powder to the batch?

 

[newbie]

Too much colorant (micas or oxides) can lead to softer soap, from what I've experienced and what others have said. Micas seem to be used at about 1 tsp ppo and oxides require less. I don't use oxides much so I don't know ppo people use but a little goes a long way with those. Using too much mica can also lead to a chalky poor texture. Learned that the hard way too. If you made just a bit of a color for a swirl, it can be easy to overdo (I also do that frequently, I'm afraid to say.)

 

[welsh black]

i added the TD to some batter then back into the container. looking at the replys above i think i put 2tsp in 10 onz of oils. Looking at Newbie comment i put twice as much as i should have!! Hopefullly it will harden in time, the swirls were lovely but totally spoiled when cut.

 

[lizflowers42]

oh crud-I just thought I cut my newest soap way too soon...I just poured off some of my oil and mixed in some amount of pigments/TD...then added at trace. I hope mine will harden up, I really like the way they came out!

 

[Candybee]

made a batch of soap using oil percentages that i have used before with no problems. In this batch i swirled with TD and chromium hydroxide green, both colours are still soft to touch after 2 weeks of making. when i cut the loaf it smudged, spoiling the swirl effect. i think ive put too much of the TD and CHG, what do you think? how much of these should i put per pound of oil?

I have a soap I use the exact same colorants for. Typically I use 1 tsp ppo. For my 5lb batch I used 1.5 tsp TD and 2 tsp chg. No problem with soft soap but I did learn that I still used too much green and will cut back to half that amount next time. I get a light green lather. I am learning that with oxides a little really does go a long way. BTW-- I put it directly into my soap and then stick blend.

 

[Rachelmf]

Welsh black, if your soap does eventually harden, perhaps you will be able to wash the smears off and see the beautiful swirls.