why is this happening?

[CaliChan]

I made a batch of CP soap about 3 weeks ago and it seems to me that the longer they sit the more of this white residue they seem to gain on it. Its like a thick powder is encasing them. Is this a sign that I added to much Lye or to much oil? I dont have a small scale so i used cup measurements. Is this normal?

 

[danahuff]

That sounds like soda ash. It is fairly common. Some folks say that spraying the soap with isopropyl alcohol will prevent it, but I have had it happen even when I've done that. Covering your soap with plastic wrap while you are letting it gel is also supposed to help, but again, I've had soda ash when I've covered it, too. I found this blog post on how to get rid of it, but I haven't tried it, so I cannot say whether it works or not: http://lather-be-soaping.blogspot.com/2 ... a-ash.html.

 

[SoapMan]

I made a batch of CP soap about 3 weeks ago and it seems to me that the longer they sit the more of this white residue they seem to gain on it. Its like a thick powder is encasing them. Is this a sign that I added to much Lye or to much oil? I dont have a small scale so i used cup measurements. Is this normal?

Hi CaliChan,

I am currently dealing with the same issue. I started a thread on the same subject just a couple of days ago. Some people gave some great suggestions. The thread link is below:

http://www.soapmakingforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=33908

 

[CaliChan]

That sounds like soda ash. It is fairly common. Some folks say that spraying the soap with isopropyl alcohol will prevent it, but I have had it happen even when I've done that. Covering your soap with plastic wrap while you are letting it gel is also supposed to help, but again, I've had soda ash when I've covered it, too. I found this blog post on how to get rid of it, but I haven't tried it, so I cannot say whether it works or not: http://lather-be-soaping.blogspot.com/2 ... a-ash.html.

Thank you for the info! Im glad its not something I did wrong!

 

[Relle]

I dont have a small scale so i used cup measurements.

Cup measurements are not acurate enough, you should get a scale.