Teach Soap

My first observation: lye is static filled and the little pellets will fly out of the tub and cling to your glove, then fly all over the table. This is annoying!!!! Second observation: this is my first water discounted batch, I did a 10% discount as suggested by a bunch of my books and recipes for castille. My water was thisclose to freezing and still hit 170* F once the lye was added. Observation 3: 1800g of olive oil is a LOT! Around 2 litres! I'm sure I'll have an observation about tracing time once my lye water drops 60* F or so and I can start to mix it!

Firsts this batch: castille, water discount, ~4lb of oils rather than 2.

Questions for this batch: How long should I wait before unmolding? It is an ~4lb oil batch, pure castille, no scent or anything. Just oil, water, and lye. I will be putting it on the radiator to promote gel stage!

_________________
~~Heather~~
Mad [soaping] Scientist

Wipe your container & gloves with a dryer sheet (like Bounce) before measuring out you lye. That will keep it from jumping all over the place.

I can usually unmold my castile within 24 hours. Just make sure it's firm before you unmold. If it wants to stick to the mold, leave it alone for another 12 hrs or so and then try again.

_________________
Linda
I know the voices in my head aren't real, but they sure have some great ideas!

_________________
~~Heather~~
Mad [soaping] Scientist

Yes; those dryer sheets work well to keep the static away.

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

You got lucky with your trace? I dunno??!! I made a 2 lb castile soap a while ago and it took 45 minutes to trace! 5 minutes, thats pretty good! I have heard that castile soap can take longer to trace and longer to gel, and mine sure stayed soft in the mold. I had to wait 2 days before I could take it out, even after it had come out of the freezer.

_________________
Kristen D. Vineyard
visit my blog http://washwithvegetables.blogspot.com

I just checked mine, it is now at an incredibly heavy trace stage Going to check it every hour or so so I can see gel progress! Not sure if a water reduction would impact how long it took to trace? I did a 10% reduction as per the recipes I have.

_________________
~~Heather~~
Mad [soaping] Scientist

!!!!!! I can see it gelling!!!! I did my little happy dance hehe SO EXCITED!!!!

_________________
~~Heather~~
Mad [soaping] Scientist

You're gellin' Heather!

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

Awesome gel Heather!!! When I did my castille soap I too did a water discount, not nearly as high a one as yours, but it did seem to trace faster with the discount that the other soaps I did without one.

_________________
Debbie

_________________

It is a sheet of fabric softener used in the dryer to make your clothes softer feeling and reduce static. Where are you at Rochy? I am a google maniac and can probably find something comparable near you


I got to about 95% gel All but the corners, and the container is slightly tapered so it may just be the top corners that didn't gel too. This morning it is nice and firm! I will try to unmold it this evening!

_________________
~~Heather~~
Mad [soaping] Scientist

_________________
Linda
I know the voices in my head aren't real, but they sure have some great ideas!

Thanks for the reminder! I forgot about that!

_________________
~~Heather~~
Mad [soaping] Scientist