Teach Soap

I thought I would post my info here as well as the PM I received.

It helps if your mold is pre-chilled. At trace, pour your soap into your mold, like you would normally do. Just wait til it's barely set up. I use a piece of wax paper over the top. Then put it in the fridge or the freezer. Do not insulate in any way. Slabs work better then logs as they trap less heat.

Some fragrances tend to overheat, so they do better in the freezer. You can leave the soap in there safely overnight (or even a couple of days). Take it out and wait til the soap comes to room temp. Be aware that saponification takes longer with ungelled soaps, so please wear gloves.

If your formula uses a lot of hard oils, sodium lactate or beeswax, you can cut the soap from the fridge right away. If the soap was in the freezer, let it come to room temp before cutting. Technically it's safe to cut, even if it's frozen, but you would need a saw to cut it into bars. Injuries could result. So please be careful. This method might not work in areas that have high humidity, as this method could make your soaps sweat.

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

Thank you, Soapbuddy. I've printed out this info. for future reference. I've just been down to my sewing(SOAP) room to visit my latest soaps which have been either CPOP or freezer. It looks like I'm having good luck with the freezer method. Thanks a million for all of your advice.

I did a goat milk soap this way a couple weeks ago, and I cut it same-day out of the fridge. It was *so* easy, and the lines are really clean, since I cut and then set aside to get hard. I may be becoming a convert....

You're welcome. I'm glad it's working for you.

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

I'm now a believer!! I used to be afraid to make an ungelled batch, but we just recently started making milk soaps, which can't/shouldn't be gelled. We've made 5 batches now - all very nice! While we still gel (for the non-milk soaps), I love the non-gelled batches, so far!

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HEAVENLY SCENT SOAPS

I find ungelled soaps fragrance doesn't morph as much due to less heat. The soap stays lighter in color too.

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

Thanks for the info Soapbuddy!

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

I had fun over the weekend making various small batches of soap. I did one and split it in half - one half CPOP and the other into the FREEZER. Some of the differences were striking. For me, CPOP colors have darkened compared with the freezer method, tho' not always a bad thing. This batch (if I can manage to post a picture) was scented with rosemary and sweet orange 10X. Both batches are very similar in fragrance intensity.

Batches made with Sensuous Sandalwood fared much better with the freezer method both with color and scent. Now that both sets have been cut, the freezer bars feel smoother, but time will tell as most of my soaps seem to evolve into their final appearance over a period of weeks. In any event, I think both methods have their plusses for me. I'm impatient to handle the new bars, a CPOP advantage; but frustrated when my fragrance is fainter than anticipated. I think cool soaping has given me hope here. Nevertheless, the comparison was fun.

Good job scents! That's one thing I like about non-gelled soaps. They always come out lighter.

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

Thanks, soapbuddy, that was really helpful. I've read most of the posts here about gelling or not gelling-and not gelling sounds like the way to go. My DH is convinced it isn't good for the refrigerator or freezer though. Do you have a separate 'fridge or freezer that you use for soap? We don't have room for another one.

TIA

Kate

P.S. I keep getting logged out every time I read a post, or right after I post, and have to log back in again, so If I don't respond quickly , I'm not being rude. I don't think my browser likes this forum.

Hi Justkate! I'm trying to think what DH is worried about. The heat up process is halted pretty quickly so that's not an issue. The top is covered with wax paper so between that and the cold, the fragrance to other things in not an issue...... I've been doing this for several years in the same places. I have 2 chest freezers and a 2nd refridge in the garage that has a freezer in it. I have stacked up my molds with heavy cardboard between them and we have never had a problem. We have food in all the fridge/freezers too although 1 chest freezer is pretty much goatmilk!

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You may be only one person to the world, but you may also be the world to one person

Sometimes you can find a mini fridge/freezer in your local thrift store at an excellent price.

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

I tried this on my last couple of batches with FO "faders"

They're going strong at the recommended usage. Thanks for the tips.

Sincerely,
Another convert

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Does Betty Ford offer a program for soaping addiction?