Teach Soap

Hi Guys,

Scrape the ash of their soaps that is, lately it is driving me mad as I find it spoils the beauty if the soap. How can I make it stop without having to scrape it off all the time ?

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Pixie

There are a couple of things that I have found to work. The first is use GM or other liquid with a higher solid content as the sole liquid. I make all GM soap and very rarely have problems with soda ash. The second is to melt 1oz beeswax per 1.5 pounds oil into the oil before you add the lye. This also helps make a harder, longer lasting bar. I only do this, though when the local bee lady gives me wax.

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Always be kind to your enemies. It messes with their heads.

My blog:

http://blog.knoxfarms.com/

Leave me lots of comments!

I use beeswax in every batch. So far no ash.

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

_________________
Always be kind to your enemies. It messes with their heads.

My blog:

http://blog.knoxfarms.com/

Leave me lots of comments!

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

Sorry to bring up such an old post, but I have a question...

How much per pound do you use beeswax? I recently came across someone that gave me a ridiculous amount of fresh beeswax from his farm and I'd love to use it in my soaps but I have no idea how much to use. Even a ballpark figure would be nice as I understand all recipes are different.

TIA... you guys are all so great!

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ween rules

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

Thanks soapbuddy! This beeswax is awesome- it smells even better than honey and I can't wait to use it!

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ween rules

You're welcome vexvelour.

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

I am a newbie and have trouble with ash except with my GM soaps. i don't cut it off if it isn't too bad, I just use a soft makeup brush with a bit of water to remove it. The tops come out shiny after it dries and you don't loose too much soap as with cutting it off. I however need to try other methods, ie; the wax paper which would be better then having this extra step to make the soaps look good.

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"Maintaining Balance Between People and Nature"

Frankly, I think it adds to the character of handmade soap. I just leave it on there.

I agree on the GM part - haven't had a single batch forming ash when using GM. However I don't substitute the water content, most of the time I just use powdered GM mixed with some jojoba.

Also, covering the batch with plastic wrap instead of waxed paper works just the same imho

I was always scraping off ash, and was very frustrated with it. Plastic wrap or wax paper, didn't seem to solve my problem; since whenever I removed it, moisture, then ash would form. I decided my problem may have been condensation. I had been using SoapCalc's preset Water as % of oils of 38%. After bumping down to 33%, I've had much better luck. Lately, I have been freezing my batches, and when removed from freezer, I rest an old (more absorbant) towel on top. I haven't had ash since these changes. I am still considering a small dehumidifier for that room, though. It's pretty moist with or without ash.