Teach Soap

I bought 20kgs of clear base at a discounted price from my usual supplier as towards the end of their batch, they noticed some clouding in the clear if no opacifiers were used in the mix.

I haven't found that to be much of a concern but it seems to be that the base has too much water or something like that, that's making it extremely soft, quite greasy and very hard to set.

To get around this, I've found that if I melt and re-melt, I can remove a bit of the excess moisture before I mold and I HAVE to put the molds in the fridge prior to unmolding. I hate doing this as they sweat a bit and I have to let them air out for a bit before I can package them up.

Does anyone have any other tips on how to deal with this base?

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Aliya from Brisbane, QLD Australia



Founding member of Melt & Pour Soap Crafters - look for us on Facebook!

Ha ha - same supplier, similar problem! I pour mine in loaf pans and cut and I slice them and leave them out for a couple of days before wrapping - a lot of the excess moisture evaporates which is helpful. I've got one slice that I've used for the last month and it's sticky to the last sliver! Every time I use it it has to be "unstuck" from the soap dish! And it's getting "yellower" the longer it sits!!! I fragranced it with Jelly Bean - and it still smells delicious but doesn't look anywhere near as cute!!
I hope someone can help!!

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Soaper from Melbourne Australia
Founding member of Melt & Pour Soap Crafters ... find us on Facebook - we'd love to see you!

I'm not alone!

Tehehee

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Aliya from Brisbane, QLD Australia



Founding member of Melt & Pour Soap Crafters - look for us on Facebook!

Not the best photo but you get the idea!!

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Soaper from Melbourne Australia
Founding member of Melt & Pour Soap Crafters ... find us on Facebook - we'd love to see you!

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Soaper from Melbourne Australia
Founding member of Melt & Pour Soap Crafters ... find us on Facebook - we'd love to see you!

Wow that really did yellow up, poor lovely Jelly Bean bar.

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Aliya from Brisbane, QLD Australia



Founding member of Melt & Pour Soap Crafters - look for us on Facebook!

Well this should be fun. I would imagine I purchased the same thing. I only had a chance to make a couple of things before I had to go on holidays. Going to make some things today, so we shall see how they work out. Thanks for the heads up

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Soaper from Melbourne Australia
Founding member of Melt & Pour Soap Crafters ... find us on Facebook - we'd love to see you!

I was very tempted by the offer but decided against it,now l am glad l didn't give in to temptation.I have enough trouble with ordinary bases without trying to tackle tricky ones.

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Pauline
http://www.facebook.com/SudsandKissesSoaps
Founding member & admin of Melt & Pour Soap Crafters.

Gah! I think you cursed me

I made a few things with this base and didn't seem to have any trouble. After reading this thread I attempted to make something and they looked rather ick. I was attempting to make those candy soaps from the Soap Queen TV vids. Made the white part just fine. I decided I knew it was a long shot but I'd give the surplus base a go for the very thin clear layer as I knew it was going to be quite thin. Also tried the bluing technique which I hadn't tried before. The soap looked fine when I poured it but got more and more opaque as it hardened, so that by the time it was hard, it was no longer transparent in the slightest. Fine I said to myself, that was my fault. They warned me, but it was worth a try. I then mixed the next layer with a deep blue mica (at least I think that's what it's called). Looked lovely in the pyrex jug and I'd had no trouble with the micas in the base as yet. Poured this in and left to harden. When I got back it was anything but lovely. It didn't work at all. What a pity. Think I'm going to need to buy some more clear base when it's back in stock and stick to using the strong soap colourants in this one. That being said, I have also made some lovely soaps with this base and as you said, we can't say they didn't warn us.

I'm sorry silverpegasus ...
But on the upside (for me!) it's nice to know it's a general thing!!!

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Soaper from Melbourne Australia
Founding member of Melt & Pour Soap Crafters ... find us on Facebook - we'd love to see you!

On a side note I've also been finding it nearly impossible to unmold from a regular plastic mold so I've taken to only using silicone molds with this batch, so much easier.

I've also given up trying to use the clear as clear, I always color it now.

And leaving the block out to "dry" overnight helps, it's almost like the water content was too high, leaving it to air helps heaps.

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Aliya from Brisbane, QLD Australia



Founding member of Melt & Pour Soap Crafters - look for us on Facebook!

Have you tried stearic acid to harden your M&P soaps?
Many soapers use it with M&P base that seems watery and is softer when cured

i bought 20kgs of this soap too and i actually havnt noticed any yellowing - kinda 'frosty' looking but i like that actually. some of my soap blocks (before i use them i mean) are a bit slimy but other than that, no problem yet.

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Watch out! I have discovered the magical world of CP

"Founding member of Facebook's "Australia & New Zealand Melt & Pour Soapers"

Damn it, some of my blocks are so slippery I almost drop them.

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Aliya from Brisbane, QLD Australia



Founding member of Melt & Pour Soap Crafters - look for us on Facebook!