Teach Soap

Hi,

1) I am working on a new recipe that seems to produce a pretty nice bar but the Iodine value has increased from 45 to 50. Except for creaminess, which stayed the same, all other values are actually reduced in value. What does Iodine do in a bar and how far over, or under, can the INS value be before it really makes a difference?

2) Another old recipe has an INS value of 176 (was making this before I'd heard of INS) but I'm looking at a new one of 165. Can I expect major differences here?

I guess I'm trying to figure out the importance of INS!

Thanks so very much!

DC

INS is just a combination of iodine and Sap value. As I understand it, it is supposed to give you an idea of the hardness of the bar. Generally, I just use the hardness value. Hopefully someone can give you more info.

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Linda

I learn so much when I can't leave well enough alone!

The INS is the number that takes into account all the other numbers, all the physical characteristics of the bar of soap and indicates the hardness as well. While 160 is the "ideal" bar of soap, many numbers work well. I have several recipes that I designed to be exactly 160, but I also have 165 recipes and 154 recipes that I like just as well. The 165 recipes do seem to be harder, even though the actual hardness number isn't as high. So the INS looks at each quality and how it impacts the bar to get the hardness, at least to my understanding.

When I first began soaping I knew nothing about a soap calculator or any special numbers. When I found it, I actually made up about 50 recipes to get the "perfect" bar of soap. I have to tell you that there was not really any that were more perfect than the ones I made without the calculator. Then, I ran my old recipes through to see what numbers they pulled, and they were all over the charts. So, while I will look at the numbers, I won't allow a number to completely throw me off a recipe. Instead, I use the numbers to work out specific attributes I may want. So, if I want a truly bubbly soap I will watch that number when making adjustments, or if I want to maintain a high moisturizing content while keeping a good bubble, I will watch those numbers as I adjust percentages. Guidelines, but not absolutes, that is for sure.

As for your questions, I think that anything much over 170 can give you a crumbly soap, but try it and see. Depending on the recipe, yours may be fine. The individual numbers are more important to my way of thinking, but the INS is an overall guideline. So if your individual numbers look good to you, then try it and see what happens. But, if the INS is way up or down, I'd make a small batch to test before doing a regular batch.

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Remember, it's not just that we weather the storm, but how we dance in the rain.

Tammy

Hi,

Just wanted to say thanks for the replies. It seems like the INS is an excellent guide but it doesn't have to set your recipe 'in stone'. The crumbly factor should be monitored for sure though. That would be a bummer!

Thanks!

DC