Superfat Question

[jblaney]

I accidentally superfated a soap about 3 months ago. I put about three times the amount of lard that it called for. I was going to toss it, but it ended up being the best soap ever. Unfortunately, the soap started smelling like old oil about 3 weeks ago and I tossed all of it. The lard was refrigerated, but pretty old, maybe 6 months. It smelled fine, but I think since I superfated it started to go rancid.

Anyway, I figured my soap was a 12% superfat. I have made more since my "mistake"soap and before I realized the soap went bad. I have since gotten fresh lard and want to continue to make this recipe since it's fantastic. Is 12% Superfat too high%? My other oils are OO, CO, PKO, Castor, lard & PO. I put a teaspoon of vitamin E in my last 2 pound batch hoping that would prevent rancidity. Any info would be helpful.

 

[la-rene]

I would say yes, 12% is too high. I've only ever heard of really high lye discounts/superfats with all coconut oil soaps to help with the dryness. I stick to around 5% or so. Have you tried Rosemary Oleoresin (ROE) for a natural antioxidant? I find it works pretty well.

 

[Obsidian]

I superfat my lard soap around 8% and it a very nice bar. I wouldn't do 12% with oils that can go rancid quickly.

 

[panzerakc]

Maybe if you really have your heart set on that 12% superfat, make a teensy batch that you can use up before it goes rancid. Something you can use up in three months? (I think that's how long it took the last batch.)

Anita

 

[jblaney]

Thank you all for your responses!

La-Rene - I completely forgot about ROE! I have a nice size bottle I bought for this very reason when I first started soaping, but forgot about it. I'm going to use it from now on...with a lower SF. Thank you for reminding me. Seems lately I forget everything!

Obsidian - I will try it with an 8-9% SF. Thanks for the guideline. If you have had luck with an 8%, hopefully I can do it with 9% with the ROE.

Panzerakc - I have a lot of soap with 11%-12% Superfat that I will never be able to use in a three month period at this point. I should have come on this board and asked before i made more and i could have saved myself from a bunch of nice soap that may or not Go bad. I'm hoping since the lard is fresh and I live in a dry climate, my husband and I can use it up before it turns. I can't give it away, which is what I was panning since I don't know when people will use it. They always say its so pretty and they want to save it. Ugh!

 

[Saswede]

I know people who routinely use a high superfat (10-12%) without any problems ...... But I tend to stick to 6-8%, because we have pretty hot summers here and any excess oil/fat (unsaponified) does have the potential to become rancid. The only soap that I make with a lower superfat (3-4%) is my shampoo bar.


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[cmzaha]

I make most of my soap at a 3% superfat, and my bars are not in the least drying. I just use emollient oils instead running so much oil down a drain. Lotions do a better job of moisturizing