Teach Soap

one of my first batches of basic white soap is ready to try out but my daughter says she doesn't like how it makes her hands feel "squeaky" after using it - can anyone tell me what causes this?? i added fennel and lemon zest to the batch but no fragrance, it's got a nice lather but she doesn't like the effect

Can you post your recipe? Has the soap sufficiently cured?

I associate squeaky clean with a high cleansing number but would have to see the recipe first.

In order to help, we need your recipe, method, temps and superfat. Did the soap gelled?

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Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.

thanks for the replies. my recipe was as follows:

rapeseed (canola) 100g
coconut oil 175g
grapeseed 100g
olive oil 200g
sunflower 250g
lye 110.68g to give a 7% superfat
water 313.5g - water:lye ratio 2.832:1

at trace i added:
2 heaped tsp lemon zest
1 tsp dried parsley
2 tsp fennel seeds
1 tsp sugar
2 tsp salt

the soap didn't gel (as far as i'm aware!), was a nice creamy white but it crumbled a little when cutting - i made a note to leave it for a further 24 hours if i made it again. as i said, it lathers nicely and smells fine. personally i don't mind the 'squeakiness' but would like to know what's causing it.

thanks for the help you guys x

Your recipe has a lot of soft oils. Canola, Grapeseed and sunflower are all soft oils in CP soap. Since you didn't gel, it can take up to three days before the soap completely saponifies. That's most likely why it feels squeaky and parts can be crumbly. Leave it be for one week, then try a small sample. Then leave the whole batch to cure for 4 to 6 weeks. Then try another sample. Please post back your results after the soap cures.

Is olive oil not available where you are? I would refomrulate your recipe and sub olive oil for some of the soft oils, add some castor for bubbles and possibly some mango or shea butter.

_________________
Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.

thanks soapbuddy. the recipe was a 'use up' of what oils i had on hand at the time and it HAS actually been curing now for 2 months so i expect it won't ever get much better. i do usually use olive oil as that's the easiest to get here (evoo only though, can't find pomace!). i think this recipe is definitely NOT a keeper!!

_________________
Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.