Spiky growth on soap. What is it?
- Thread starter ewhitake
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Unfortunately no
Is the stuff hard or soft?
What's the superfat? Did you use cocoa, mango, or Shea butter? Could it be a fat bloom like you see in lotion bars?
I've never seen anything like that before.
What's the superfat? Did you use cocoa, mango, or Shea butter? Could it be a fat bloom like you see in lotion bars?
I've never seen anything like that before.
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The white crystals are soda ash, aka sodium carbonate.
Dwamn, looks like your soap grew sprouts and they frosted lolUnfortunately no
If it is soda ash, I'm curious how you managed to pull it off, you can say it's a design feature, if you feel adventurous
I get this when I use citric acid above a certain amount - 2% IIRC but don’t have my notes handy.
Soda ash develops for a lot of reasons. Some reasons we have control over, others not so much.
higher amount of water in the soap batter (aka low lye concentration)
batter poured at emulsion rather than later at a more obvious trace
saponification occurring more slowly due to lower temperatures so free alkali is present in the soap for a longer time
low relative humidity
maybe the phase of the moon?
higher amount of water in the soap batter (aka low lye concentration)
batter poured at emulsion rather than later at a more obvious trace
saponification occurring more slowly due to lower temperatures so free alkali is present in the soap for a longer time
low relative humidity
maybe the phase of the moon?
akseattle
Well-Known Member
Wow, that is serious soda ash.
In case I ever get it (soda ash that has crystalized like that) , although it does border on looking decorative, I'm wondering if you can get rid of it like you get rid of other soda ash, i.e. steaming, etc.?
In case I ever get it (soda ash that has crystalized like that) , although it does border on looking decorative, I'm wondering if you can get rid of it like you get rid of other soda ash, i.e. steaming, etc.?
I assume so - it's not different in nature, just more severe (or at least it looks that way).
OP has posted some 'before' photos, maybe we can see some 'after' as well? How did it go, @ewhitake , did you try to remove the stuff?
After steaming and before with “what ever” photos. Seems it was just real aggressive soda ash
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akseattle
Well-Known Member
That's great!After steaming and before with “what ever” photos. Seems it was just real aggressive soda ash
Wait, I'm thinking... 'Caramel frostbite' - a perfect name for the soap 'before' it was treated... I'm willing to pass the rights, no need to pay royalties@ewhitake , wow! that was definitely soap worth steaming. What a beautiful caramelly soap! I could take a bite out of that
Humblegoat
Member
I’ve had the same thing happen and thought it was soda ash as well. However, using the same recipe and having it not happen I began to wonder. On a day with high humidity it was serious. I did a little research and came across that soap is a humectant and it pulls moisture from the air. It looked like all my expensive EO was leaking out!! Anyone have thoughts on this?
akseattle
Well-Known Member
Hmmm... I don't have any thoughts on this but I sitting on the edge of my seat to see what others think! So many possibilities with these odd events...
Humblegoat
Member
I’ve never steamed soap. Can someone fill me in on the why and how?
The steam removes sodium carbonate. Here's a video:
People say you can also clean it with a piece of nylon cloth, or just by submerging the bars in cold water for a bit. Or, by spraying them with alcohol
Humblegoat
Member
Certainly makes it pretty!
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