weeping soap

Jessrof · May 15, 2013

My most recent batch is weeping around the swirls. It seems to be oil (slippery to touch). Any insight?

soapguy · May 15, 2013

Did you do a zap test? It could be lye, or if you added Glycerin it could be drawing h20 from the air.

Jessrof · May 15, 2013

Did not add glycerine. It isn't zappy...

soapguy · May 15, 2013

Did you just take it out of the refrigerator?

Is your home humid at this time?

soapguy · May 15, 2013

I really don't think it would be a problem. I would let it be or blot it with paper towels if it bothers you.

Jessrof · May 15, 2013

Nevermind. It is zappy. Will this go away? I began the cure in the fridge and took it out of the fridge yesterday and it began to develop the weeping. Is there anything I can do? What would cause this?

soapguy · May 15, 2013

You just slowed down saponification. If your recipe is not lye heavy it will go away. I can't remember science behind the weeping, but I guess the NaOH is doing what it does best. absorb H20 from the air.

Jessrof · May 15, 2013

K Thank you.

soapguy · May 15, 2013

Another reason for the sweating could be that the soap is heating up while continuing to saponify. I have had this happened in the past and it did not cause a problem. When I have made melt and pour there is allot a sweating when you put the soap in the freezer and then remove it from the molds. The glycerin causes that. CP soap also produces Glycerin and it might be a contributing factor.