Sticky beige surface coating!!!

[n6561echo]

Yes, I'm a newbie. My first two batches were perfect. Since then, no matter what I try, the surface of my small
test bars (poured in 6/up rectangular mold) are covered in a layer of light tan, sticky, clay like coating. Could that be soda ash? I've soaped at 90-110F (Jan Berry), and 120-130F (Kenna/Modern Soap Making). What is
it, and how do I get rid of it???

Paul McClain
Tucson, AZ

 

[penelopejane]

Yes, I'm a newbie. My first two batches were perfect. Since then, no matter what I try, the surface of my small
test bars (poured in 6/up rectangular mold) are covered in a layer of light tan, sticky, clay like coating. Could that be soda ash? I've soaped at 90-110F (Jan Berry), and 120-130F (Kenna/Modern Soap Making). What is
it, and how do I get rid of it?

Paul, if you post your recipe and method we might be able to help you. A photo would be helpful too. It doesn't sound like soda ash.

 

[BattleGnome]

Also, what brand/kind of mold are you using? Some molds can transfer color to a bar (usually red colored molds) but I haven’t come across any that change the texture.

And, where are you storing your soaps? How soon after unmolding does the surface change?

 

[Obsidian]

It does sound like thick ash. I've seen it with that clay like texture. You can wash it off your soaps or plane it off.

Gelling your soap can help prevent it from forming but thats hard to do in small molds.

 

[shunt2011]

I agree it sounds like it may be heavy ash. However, my experience is different as to washing it off, I had it really heavy/thick once and couldn't get it to wash off. Ended up cutting it off. It's only a cosmetic flaw and won't affect it being a usable soap.

 

[DeeAnna]

But it could be other things too -- glycerin weeping out and maybe mixing with ash, additives doing strange things, soap overheating and forming a crusty top, etc. We really need more info than what you've given us.

 

[n6561echo]

Paul, if you post your recipe and method we might be able to help you. A photo would be helpful too. It doesn't sound like soda ash.

Hi P.J. Thanks for Your response. I'm not able to upload photos right now. I am making CP soaps only, encompassing a wide variety of formulas.
I am using 99% pure NaOH, 5% superfatting, and a 2.2:1 water/lye ratio, calculated by SoapCalc. In almost all cases, I get white swirls, streaks, and light to heavy coating that develops in 12-24 hrs. Other soapers, showing, what appears to be the same buildup and coatings (on U Tube) define this
as "soda ash." And then, describe how to wash it off. What I want to know is, "HOW TO PREVENT IT!"

The only clue that I can discern, is that this conditions occurs quicker, covers wider areas, and is much thicker, on soaps that have sat:unsat oil ratios
averaging about 34:66, as opposed to those with ratios averaging 45-55, or 43-57. I should probably mention that I pouring small 2 x 3 test bars in a
6up rectangular mold, uncovered, at room temperature.

I'm considering trying a SF of 7.5%( reducing the amount of lye), and water/lye ratio of 2:1, and covering my molds.

All opinions, ideas, experiences, and scientific data will be most welcome, and much appreciated.

Paul McClain

 

[penelopejane]

I am not sure yours is soda ash unless you post photos.
"light tan sticky clay like" is not soda ash.

No matter what it is I wouldn't increase your SF to 7%. You will just get gluggy, DOS prone soap.

Soda ash is more of an environmental thing I think and has something to do with water content and keeping the air off your soap. I don't think Saturated vs unsaturated fats have much to do with it.

This is how to prevent soda ash.
https://www.soapmakingforum.com/threads/soda-ash-issue.64673/

 

[n6561echo]

I am not sure yours is soda ash unless you post photos.
"light tan sticky clay like" is not soda ash.

No matter what it is I wouldn't increase your SF to 7%. You will just get gluggy, DOS prone soap.

Soda ash is more of an environmental thing I think and has something to do with water content and keeping the air off your soap. I don't think Saturated vs unsaturated fats have much to do with it.

This is how to prevent soda ash.
https://www.soapmakingforum.com/threads/soda-ash-issue.64673/

Thanks Penelopejane. The more I read, the less I believe it's soda ash. I also think you're right about the water. That makes sense for a lot of
reasons. So, I'm doing two experiments. 1. Reducing my water by 10 and 15 percent. 2. Placing half of the samples in my vacuum chamber,
immediately after reaching a light/medium trace. This way there will be NO CO2 to react with my soap. The other half I'll process as I did
previously, and leave them to cure uncovered, at room temperature. If the samples in the vacuum chamber, also develop a coating, I'll know
that it's not due to atmospheric CO2, and it's not soda ash. At this point, my money is on glycerin.

 

[penelopejane]

Can't you take a photo with your phone and post it?

I think a medium to thicker trace is less likely to develop ash.
https://www.soapmakingforum.com/threads/what-are-your-best-practices-for-preventing-soda-ash.59209/

 

[Obsidian]

I've had light tan sticky soda ash. It was so thick and sticky, I could roll it off the soap like little snowballs.