Teach Soap

I'm sure this topic has been discussed, if so, sorry.....too many threads to read....

Has anyone noticed that their gelled soaps don't get any (or very little) soda ash? I've noticed that my non-gelled soaps seem to be covered with the stuff and the gelled soap hardly any.......is it just me?

I used BB's oval mold and did a nice swirl, the tops had a little ash and now the sides and bottoms are covered also. I even sprayed alcohol on the top of the soap.

Although it doesn't really bother me that much, if I wanted to wipe this off, how would I go about it? Damp cloth?

Shelia

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Shelia
Newbie still learning.....

Oh! I can answer this! Gelled soaps tend to lose water at a faster pace. When your soap sits (and doesn't gel) it takes longer to solidify and also for the water to come to the surface and evaporate. As the water comes through the soap it reacts with the sodium and carbon and forms soda ash once it is in contact with the oxygen on the top of the soap.

The fast the soap solidifies the less ash you will see!

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~~Heather~~
Mad [soaping] Scientist

I prefer not to gel and I don't get ash. Try spraying yours with some alcohol as soon as the soap is poured. Some people also wipe their ash off.

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

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~~Heather~~
Mad [soaping] Scientist

Thanks everyone. I did spray with alcohol as soon as I poured, but noticed that it was only 51 percent.....some generic brand I guess. I have to find 97 percent.

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Shelia
Newbie still learning.....

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

You can get a 99% at Walgreens! It works super well, and is also good for de-germing surfaces. Ohh and it dissolves tree sap!

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~~Heather~~
Mad [soaping] Scientist

Oh, I'm going to have to go to Walgreen's there is one on every corner practically.

Thanks everyone.
Shelia

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Shelia
Newbie still learning.....

you can polish the soap with some alcohol and washcloth to get rid of the ashy look.

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Dawn

Thanks dsgemmill, that's a great idea.

I love this forum.

Shelia

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Shelia
Newbie still learning.....

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

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Shelia
Newbie still learning.....

You guys are so great. Thanks for all the help.

Shelia

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Shelia
Newbie still learning.....

Soaping 101 did a video on this. I've yet to try the steam method but hope it works as well as it seems on her video.

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Linda

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

I've tried the steam method, but found the soaps just got too slippery...

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