Teach Soap

I've never used PKO before but wish to try it in order to get harder bars. Lately since I have been SFing at 10% my soaps are turning out softer than usual, don't want to lower SF % because I love the feel this % gives to the soap, just wondering if I replace some of PO with PKO would it produce a harder soap? My recipe uses CO 20% PO 35%, OO 40% & Castor 5%. Any thoughts or suggestions greatly appreciated. TIA

I would either add a butter (mango, shea), 1% beeswax or add some salt to your lye water.

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

Thanks soapbuddy that is great information, I used to add steric acid 1% but since I've been getting white specs abandoned this practice but I think the beeswax suggestion is excellent as well as the salt to the lye water. For some reason I thought that PKO made harder bars, Why do some soapers use PKO instead of PO is there an added benefit to the quality of the soap?

H Soapbuddy

When you say add some salt, how much are you meaning and would it be plain or iodised salt. Also why does salt make a bar harder? Thanks

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

Hi Soapbuddy
Thank you so much for your reply, it is very helpful. Another question though, does the salt affect any of the other qualities of soap at all that I should be aware of.

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

Great and once again thanks so much.

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