Teach Soap

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

I unmolded the soap as soon as I took it out of the refrigerator because the soap was hard enough to cut at that point... I was trying to avoid the soap heating up to cause the gelling which I thought I had when I cut into it. So, if/when I try this again, I'll cut the soap and then put it back in the fridge for another day or so just to see if that will stop any gelling

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Tamra
New to soaping, long time crafter and artisan, avid learner of new things!

Once my soaps are cut, I've never had them get a partial gel, so I don't put mine back in the fridge or the freezer. Try it your way and see if that works for you.

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

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

Thanks for the reply... I didn't see any further change after about another hour so I removed it from the fridge and just have it on the counter. It hasn't gelled any more so right now it has the center a bit darker and the ends and outer edges a nice creamy off white. I guess at this point I can't do anything more.... and I'll just have a gelled center on this batch. The next time I think I'll try putting it in the freezer right from the start.
Question: If you put it in the freezer how long should I leave it there?
I guess I should still be happy.... at least it looks like I have usable soap and it didn't turn dark or burn and smell terrible! If I were to rebatch it and put it in the freezer might it all come out the same color? The only way I know how to rebatch is to do HP.... and then the texture would be different as well... Hmmmm. So much to learn!

Partial gel is just aesthetic. Next time you make it, you can leave it in the freezer up to overnight. Let it come to room temp before you cut it. Depending how much milk you've used, what type of a mold you used or if you used any sugar, sometimes it's helpful to elevate the mold and put a fan on it to keep it from gelling as it comes back to room temp.

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

I finally made goatsmilk soap for the first time thanks to all of the great hints here! I kept it in the freezer for 24 hours but I should have kept it in longer, because within an hour it started turning brown. Now it's brown and ugly, but oh well. We will see how well it works in a few weeks! Thanks, everyone!

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

Slab molds seem to be more goat milk friendly than loaf molds too! (Learned this the hard way...) This seems to be because the slab shape allows the soap to 'dump' heat more quickly than the loaf which is much thicker throughout.

And definitely just pop that thing right into the freezer (or fridge) for a good 18-24 hours. (More learning the hard way. LOL)

(PS: I learned a LOT about this not only by experimenting but by reading tips from gals like @soapbuddy )
Karri

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I soap therefore I am.

Thanks!!! I used silicone loaf molds (I don't have wooden ones yet ) and soaped at room temp (pretty much). That's okay though. I think it will be fine. I'll just have to keep practicing. I really don't know what to do with all this soap....

I got my goats (mini's - Nigerians) 2 years ago. My goats milk soap has turned out great. I freeze it and let it thaw out some - not the slushy some talk about - but just let it soften some. Then I add the lye a little at a time until I have it all dissolved - then immediately in an ice bath and cool to 100. I never let it get more than 115 (fear is part of that). At first I was getting a little orange, then I saw you should add the lye a little at a time and keep it cool. I mix the oils/lye at 100 Degrees. I got concerned later about possible having undissolved lye I couldnt see. I always use the max liquid - the last batch I used water to mix the lye in first - then warmed the milk and added at trace. I really didnt notice the bar being any lighter adding milk at trace, as I did when I was careful with the temp and added a little lye at a time. With all the care and $$ I have in those goats - I feel incredibly guilty and wasteful when I use the milk for soap LOL but I made some really awesome labels that say goats milk soap! LOL.

Don't ever feel guilty about using your goat's milk for soap! It is wonderful! You are lucky to have your own goats. I'm trying to find someone locally that I can get milk from.

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Linda
I know the voices in my head aren't real, but they sure have some great ideas!

well, it's like using half and half for soap - I feel extravagant using it in coffee LOL TN is awesome btw - I lived in Crossville for bout 6 months in the 70's ^^