What causes soda ash?

[whitetulips]

So what causes soda ash? I've seen whitish stuff on the top of one of my soaps, and then once cut, it seemed to form on the cut sides as well. I presume that to be soda ash. I've seen tiny bubbles in another soap that I noticed when I cut the loaf. Is that something else? I saw a picture of another's soap here on Soap Forum and saw some with the tiny bubbles.

 

[Relle]

Links to read re soda ash.
http://www.soapmakingforum.com/f11/soda-ash-32762/
http://www.soapmakingforum.com/f11/how-do-you-get-rid-soda-ash-top-your-cp-29291/

 

[mel z]

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3WiX6sD-fY[/ame]

 

[soapguy]

I believe it is caused by oxidation. You can get rid of it by using beeswax in your formula or by covering your soap during the curing process. Freezer paper and towels work for me.

 

[Badger]

The whitish stuff on top is soda ash. The tiny bubbles when you cut the loaf are likely a different issue. They could be pockets of air in the mix, others might have better idea or suggestions on what they might be. (I am still relatively new at this).

 

[jcandleattic]

The tiny bubble could be air pockets, like Badger suggested, or if they are just little white dot looking things they could be resolidfied stearic spots due to hard oils not completely melting or not being stirred well enough. Mainly both are just aesthetic problems and as long as the bar is not lye heavy will be fine to use.
I rarely get ash. I know some people will either rinse it off or steam it off.

 

[whitetulips]

So if I unmold the soap 12-24 hours after pouring and cut into bars and let sit for 4 weeks, how do you cover the bars with plastic wrap and let them cure? Or is it during the molding process that it is important to have tightly covered? Now I've been covering with freezer paper and heavy towels after the pour. Sometimes doing CPOP, but my floor isn't level, so my soap is a little taller on one end. I like that best but will have to wait until the oven gets leveled.