soy flakes

[laa]

Hi
I am new to the Wonderful World of Process Soap Making. I have only made one batch and I don't think it is going to cure correctly. Still in the drying process.
The guestion I have is about soy flakes. Many years ago I made all natural soy candles. I have quite a lot of soy flakes left and my question is, can I use the flakes as an ingredient for cold process soap?

Thanks

 

[Hazel]

I would say no to using soy flakes in soap since it is wax. But you could use it to make tarts.

Why do you think your first batch won't cure?

 

[Sunny]

soy flakes... sounds like a tasty breakfast cereal. (or not so tasty.)

I think you could use a very very small amount, like 1 or 2% - people do use beeswax in soap... but I wouldn't use a large amount. Are you trying to accomplish something by adding the wax, or just trying to use some of it up?

 

[laa]

I mainly want to be able to use it up as I probably have about 6 cups left. I don't think soy flakes get as hard as beeswax when making candles. I know my soy candles were not as hard as parifin wax candles. So I just thought it would work in making cp soap since there is other oils to combine with. It resembles coconut oil flakes. Maybe I can figure out something to do with it.

I think I may have improperly measured the oils for the soap. This is my very first batch of cp soap. I have already cut it and have it out to dry but it is still very soft. I have bars laying on brown paper bags in my unheated garage as well. Im going to give it about 4 more weeks and hopefully it will dry out and become harder. If not, will I still be able to use it? I did the zap test on it and it seems fine just really soft.

Thanks

 

[Hazel]

What oils did you use in the batch? If you used a high percentage of olive, it takes longer to harden. I've had batches that always remained slightly soft but the soap was fine.

 

[carebear]

it depends on the actual wax, since some have additives.
you'd want to check if it was skin safe.

eco soya waxes are - http://www.ngiwax.com/aboutecosoya/purityofecosoya.html
http://www.ngiwax.com/resources/qa.html?group=7
http://www.ngiwax.com/products/specifications.html

cannot speak to others.

(I use soy wax in some of my soaps - it's really just hydrogenated soybean oil; I use 15% but it's really a matter of balance and trial and error for the most part)

 

[carebear]

if it's not zapping, it's safe.

 

[laa]

What oils did you use in the batch? If you used a high percentage of olive, it takes longer to harden. I've had batches that always remained slightly soft but the soap was fine.

I think I used too much of each one which was coconut, soybean, palm and palm kernel and olive.

I was thinking about remelting? it and adding some soy wax flakes to help harden it? What do you think? Or maybe I should just give it more time and maybe it will become a little more hard?

The soap is not zapping but it is still soft. The bars are very smooth no pits or holes and keeps it shape when picked up.

Thanks so much.

 

[carebear]

remelting it will ruin the texture (IMO) and adding soy flakes won't harden it up. just give it lots and lots of time and maybe the evaporation will help it harden enough.

 

[Hazel]

I agree with carebear - more time for curing. I've had bars that took almost 6 months to cure.

Did you use equal percentages of each oil? You might consider altering the percentages if you did. We can help you tweak the recipe if you'd like to post it. Also, you might consider getting sodium lactate. At lot of people use it in their batches to help with hardness.