Teach Soap

I bought some (pool supply) ph strips and when I tried them on a couple different batches of soap- the color that came up was not one of the colors listed to compare. I used distilled water. Does colored soap affect the strip color? I made a batch a week ago, is it safe to handle?

pH strips come with different pH ranges. Some are low, some are middle and some are made for high pH. That's most likely why you don't see the pH of soap. Try the zap test. Wet your finger, then touch your soap. Then touch that finger to your tongue. If it's lye heavy it will zap. Your tongue is more sensitive than the pH strips.

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

The pH strips that you buy for swimming pools are in a different range than the ones you need for soap making. When I first started out making soap I thought that I needed to have the pH strips to check the soap. I always came up with colors that said it was not a correct pH. I don't use the strips anymore. My soap was always fine. Now I run all my recipes through Soapcalc and never worry about pH. If you want to check your soap before using it, try touching it lightly on your tongue. If it zaps you (similar to a 9 volt battery put to your tongue) the pH is not correct. If you don't get a zap your soap is okay to use. Or you can do it the way that soapbuddy recommends!

Hope this helps!

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So many oils, so little time.

-Cathy

Thanks- Am I to cautious? It just seems like all the books, blogs etc...I have used researching- STRESS testing your soap to be SURE it isn't caustic. How soon do you cut your bars after making?

If you have an accurate scale, weigh everything properly and superfat safely, you should not have a problem with caustic soap.

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

Thanks Dave! I am waiting way to long!