Sticky Situation!!!

[ElenaCoralSoaps]

I tried cutting my soap yesterday after taking it out of its mold and it was so sticky. The soap kept getting stuck to the blade. What could have gone wrong??

The recipe called for 6oz. of water and 2.4 of lye. The oils I used were 10.5 of olive, 5.25 of coconut, and 1tbl. of castor oil to superfat. I added 2 tsp. of FO, 1/2 tsp of low pH lab color and I let it sit in the mold for 30hrs. I admit to peaking a little...this might have a lot to do with it. What else could have gone wrong???

 

[7053joanne]

I have had some soaps come out a bit sticky. They should be fine after curing for a while.

 

[Guest]

I find wetting the soap cutter blade helps some with the sticky factor.I wet it before each cut.

HTH
Kitn

 

[IrishLass]

I put your recipe through SoapCalc and it looks like you made a really nice Castile-type soap. You used a full 27% lye solution amount for your batch, though, which explains the stickiness. Don't panic, though- your soap is perfectly fine and is acting just as it should for the amount of water you used. Give it at least a 6 week cure and you'll have a very nice soap on your hands.

When I make Castile-type soaps (or any soaps, actually) I use a 33% lye solution, which would use the same amount of lye that your batch called for, but 2 - 3 oz less water. The lesser water amount allows for you to be able to unmold and cut Castile-type soaps within 12 hours with no soft, sticky issues. Some soapers even use a 40% to 50% lye solution, but if you are new to soaping, a 33% lye solution is a much safer amount for you to start with.

IrishLass

 

[xyxoxy]

Every recipe is different but I prefer to wait 48 hours to unmold. I have been in a pinch and had to unmold and cut sooner but I find I don't have to be as careful once it sets up a little longer.

Also helps to clean your blade in between each cut.

 

[Lindy]

Yeah I tend to un-mold and cut just a tad early so I've ended up with sticky soap too. What I do is clean my blade between cuts and then run super hot water over it to get the clean cuts. That seems to work for me - I just have to learn how to spell some "p" word - petshince or something like that - and then learn the definition. Shouldn't be that hard should it. BTW did I happen to mention that i have to peak on my baby soap at least every half hour?

Cheers
Lindy

 

[ElenaCoralSoaps]

Thanks everyone for your help. I tried another batch and discounted an ounce of water. (im afraid to experiment any more than that) and I promised myself to leave it in its mold for 48 hours. I think leaving the loaf out uncut for a day might help too. Ive noticed that my soap seems to get harder after giving it some air after a few hours

 

[ilovedoxies]

I unmold the next day and let it sit for 2 days or so before cutting.

 

[topcat]

Yeah I tend to un-mold and cut just a tad early so I've ended up with sticky soup too. What I do is clean my blade between cuts and then run super hot water over it to get the clean cuts. That seems to work for me - I just have to learn how to spell some "p" word - petshince or something like that - and then learn the definition. Shouldn't be that hard should it.

Cheers
Lindy

The word you are thinking of is "patients:~~any person who receives medical attention, care, or treatment."...treatment with a sharp, hot knife perhaps? Guess that means you are doing it right!

Tanya

 

[Lindy]

Oh Tanya! Thank you for the spelling AND definition - I feel so much better now.... 8)