Speeding up curing process?

[Detvarpokkers]

Is it possible to speed up the process a little by letting the soap cure in a dry room, or does that not affect the time needed before the soap is ready to use?

 

[KiwiMoose]

No - you can't speed up cure. But yes - a dry room, or dehumidified room, is better than a humid room.

Incidentally, soap is ready to use once it is saponified (about a day or two after making), but it's just not best to use. Wait at least four weeks before using, and six weeks if giving away to friends. Most soap is better and milder after 6 months.

I am guilty of using bars after only two or three days - but only as 'testers' at my kitchen sink.

 

[Detvarpokkers]

No - you can't speed up cure. But yes - a dry room, or dehumidified room, is better than a humid room.

Incidentally, soap is ready to use once it is saponified (about a day or two after making), but it's just not best to use. Wait at least four weeks before using, and six weeks if giving away to friends. Most soap is better and milder after 6 months.

I am guilty of using bars after only two or three days - but only as 'testers' at my kitchen sink.

Thank you for the answer, I was just hoping. Okay then I just keep going as normal. This time I have bought indicator strips to test the level of alkalinity of the soap and hope to reach around or at least relatively close to neutral before I need the soap

 

[artemis]

Thank you for the answer, I was just hoping. Okay then I just keep going as normal. This time I have bought indicator strips to test the level of alkalinity of the soap and hope to reach around or at least relatively close to neutral before I need the soap

I'm sorry to tell you, soap is nowhere near neutral. Search the forum for pH testing or pH strips for more info. For now, here's a post on a related thread:

Post in thread 'Hi everyone ' https://www.soapmakingforum.com/threads/hi-everyone-😄😄😄.93603/post-1014251

 

[lsg]

You may be able to speed up moisture evaporation form soap, but not cure time.

 

[DeeAnna]

Also, pH test strips don't directly measure alkalinity. They measure the concentration of hydrogen ions (H+). While alkalinity and pH are related concepts, they're not the same thing.

Measuring the pH alone is not a valid way to measure the total alkalinity of soap. And even if it was, there are no pH test strips on the market, even the best of the best, that are precise enough to work.