Teach Soap

Newbie Question, and not sure how or where to post, so please don't get mad at me if I'm doing it all wrong

Yesterday, I made a 5# batch of CP soap (palm, coconut, olive, castor oils & shea butter). Took it to medium trace before adding titanium dioxide, oatmeal milk & honey fragrance oil and a couple of tablespoons of ground oatmeal. Blended the additions with the blending stick before pouring into the mold. Also, when I turned it into the mold, the very bottom of the pot seemed to be a wee bit thinner trace than the rest (potential problem?) It wasn't hugely thinner, but enough to separate out from the majority that poured in altogether. Put it in the loaf mold and wrapped it up, as usual, but this time it had a fissure split down the middle and I could see what looked like unsaponified oil peeking through. Soooo... putting as much info out here as possible to see if anyone says, "Aha, that's what you did!!!" Cuz I don't know. Combined the oils and lye water together at approximately 115 degrees (maybe too hot?) And we live in a warm climate, so I may have wrapped it up too much? Any wisdom here would be greatly appreciated because I really don't want to do it again Thanks so much in advance for help, everybody

Sounds like you didn't need the insulation. I rarely insulate when it's hot out and the soap still gels. If you do insulate, check it every 15 minutes or so and as soon as gel starts, uncover it. You can also stick it in the fridge if it looks like it might overheat. Sometimes if it's not overheated badly, the crack with seal and the soap will be fine, but if you cut it and it's oozing lots of oil you may need to rebatch it.

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

Thank you SOOOOO much!!! I did read last night to put it in the freezer for awhile to hopefully save it and so I did... we'll see. I'm just going to leave it for another 24 hours to see what happens. Hopefully won't have to rebatch. Anyway... love this forum!!!! It's like having a lot of friends around you can ask questions of whenever you like Also, do you think it wise for me to be soaping at cooler temps, like between 90 & 100 degrees, rather than 115?

From what I understand, combining it all at the lower temps might be problematic in that the more solid oils (palm, shea butter, possibly coconut) might start to solidify again and you might not get a true emulsion/trace. Generally, 110-120 F seems to be a fairly popular and "safe" temp range for most soapers.

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Carrie
Wife to my Best Friend and Homeschool mom to 7 beautiful gifts

Thanks, Carrie!! I so appreciate the input! And as a "retired" homeschool mom, blessings on your day to those sweet kids!!

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Carrie
Wife to my Best Friend and Homeschool mom to 7 beautiful gifts

Sorry about your batch problems, Basilwood! I live in a hot dry climate and found the best temperature range to soap in is 100*-110*F. No problems with solid fats/oils or acceleration. Good luck!

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Linda

I learn so much when I can't leave well enough alone!