Teach Soap

I have a question... does soap that is put in the fridge overnight after making to prevent gel, stay softer longer? Its been about 2 days since I took it out of the fridge and my soap is still pretty soft. It is definitely harder than it was when I first took it out but still too soft to cut. It was a recipe that had, olive, coconut, canola and a little Shea butter. I've gelled this recipe and it always turns out good, so I know it is a good recipe and the percentages are correct. I poured it at a light trace too, so not sure if that is a problem.

Thanks!

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Handmade Soaps
http://www.ForTheLoveOfSuds.com

Canola is a soft oil, so if you don't gel, it will take longer for that soap to get hard. I would wait another day before you cut it.

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

But it will harden up with time?

_________________
Handmade Soaps
http://www.ForTheLoveOfSuds.com

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

It is still pretty soft
;9 kinda like butter that has been left on the counter

_________________
Handmade Soaps
http://www.ForTheLoveOfSuds.com

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

I've had that happen before also soapysue. I think mine was because I poured too early without first achieving a good trace. I left it in the container for well over a week before it got hard. It was one of my first batches. Ended up being a good soap but just took forever to get hard.

27 ounces canola oil
27 ounces olive oil
12 ounces coconut oil
3 ounces shea butter

5% superfat

i have used this before several times but never put in the fridge.

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Handmade Soaps
http://www.ForTheLoveOfSuds.com

That's a lot of canola.

Canola Oil 27ozs. 39.13%
Coconut Oil 12ozs. 17.39%
Olive Oil 27ozs. 39.13%
Shea Butter 3ozs. 4.35%

I would change the canola to 15%, up the coconut to 20%, then add the difference to your olive oil.

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

I just hope this batch hardens up!

_________________
Handmade Soaps
http://www.ForTheLoveOfSuds.com

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

So this soap has been curing now for over 8 weeks and is still too soft to sell. How long should soap that is put in the fridge take to fully cure? I heard 8 weeks. Is it hopeless? I hate to rebatch it because it is so pretty. I don't even know what I would do to rebatch, cause I believe the reciepe was correct (one I had used before also). It is definitely harder than the "butter" stage that it was at weeks ago, but still I could mush it with my fingers now.

Any encouragement? Anyone else have a soap that was put in the fridge (or otherwise prevented from gelling) that take even longer to fully cure?

_________________
Handmade Soaps
http://www.ForTheLoveOfSuds.com

I don't use canola, but I don't gel either. I think that batch will be soft for a longer while. Forgot about it for a couple more months, then try it out again.

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

What is the benefit(s) to "not gelling" soap?
If I understand correctly, the soap is placed in container at trace and then in the refridgerator or freezer?
Is it covered before doing so?
Does it speed up curing time? If so by how much?

Thank you for any assistance, this topic has peaked my interest...

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