Teach Soap

I made my fourth batch of soap today. I used very little fragrance oil (1 oz to 5 pound batch) so that it would have a hint of fragrance, and I was hoping that it wouldn't accelerate trace. At the end I was scooping the last of the soap into my mold. I mixed the FO with the oils thoroughly before adding the lye water.

Also I was using a PVC 3" round mold that I put a divider into. I made one side green and the other natural. It was horrible trying to pour thick soap into a small opening. I had soap EVERYWHERE. When I tried to slam it down to get it to the bottom a glob of soap came out and landed on the wall and in the cat dish. If it wasn't so frustrating I would almost be laughing. Maybe someday I will, but not today

I think part of my problem may be temperature. When I mixed the lye water to the oils they were both 92F. Is it better for the soaping temp to be a lot higher or doesn't it matter?

I'm really getting frustrated with this. I would love to learn to do swirls but at this rate I'm lucky to get the mixture into the mold in time.

I soap between 100 and 110*F. Are you bringing your soap to a full trace before you try to pour? For swirls I try for just an emulsified batter, not even a light trace. What is your recipe? Maybe there is something about the recipe itself that is making your trace so fast.

We'll figure it out!

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~~Heather~~
Mad [soaping] Scientist

Are you using pomace olive oil by any chance?

(Pomace OO is my new go-to blame game, hehe)

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Laura<3

What's your recipe? Are you stick blending? And if so for how long? What level of trace are you bringing your batter to before pouring?

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The Soapinatrix! *whip-crack*
- Posting the trials and tribulations of my Soaping Journey!

I normally soap at around 110 degrees (US). It could be your fragrance that's accelerating your trace. If it is the fragrance, try using a stainless whisk instead of a stick blender. it's possible that you are using the stick blender for too long also. Do you have a thermometer?

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

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

Heresy!

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Laura<3

35% castor?! That's way too much. Try around 10%.

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Laura<3

Did you discount your water or are you using the full water amount?

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