Wierd look to my batch, is it ok?

teesha · Oct 18, 2011

I've just unmoulded a new batch, it was in the mould for 48 hours and it has this weird effect,
this has never happened to me, so was wondering if anyone can shed some light, will it be ok to use?
Most of the bar look ok, but these are the ones that were in the middle of the batch.
I am using a box mould with plastic dividers that I recently bought, so not sure if its from the new mould or not?
it was a bit oily on the bottom too, so hoping its just a separation thing??

teesha · Oct 18, 2011

hope this works..... here's a pic

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

Bubbles Galore · Oct 18, 2011

I've never seen anything quite like that before. Probably the oil on the bottom didn't help.

teesha · Oct 18, 2011

Neither have I. I'm hoping that's just it, maybe I hadn't washed the dividers properly, might have had some residue that's affected the soap.

When I tipped it out, it sort of looked like it was part way through its gel stage (after 24 hours) so I put it back in and left it another day. Now its all splotchy. But only the bars from the center of the mould.

I'll let it sit for a few days and see how it looks.

soapbuddy · Oct 18, 2011

Did you reach true trace? Do the spots zap? Did you mix any fragrance oil thoroughly?

teesha · Oct 18, 2011

hi soapbuddy, yes i did reach true trace, took a while even with my stick blender, i did a zap test last night and there was a very slight tingle, nothing big, and another this morning and there was no zap.

I use essential oils and added some ground nutmeg for colour and mixed pretty thoroughly.

I just decided to slice a bit off the sides and see if it penetrates in to the bar and it doesn't, its only on the surface. So I think it must be from the moisture in the mould.

newbie · Oct 18, 2011

That is really weird. How did it get on at least three sides of the bars? One of those sides must be a cut unless you had individual compartments? Is that what you meant about the dividers? If there was moisture, it could make the spots pretty wonky, but I would think as it dried it would settle back down some. I'm glad it doesn't go into the soap- that's a big plus!