Teach Soap

Hi, I kept hearing and reading about soda ash and had never had any trouble with it until recently. I believe my house has gotten a lot cooler and that that has made the difference. At any rate, I tried the steamimg off method, which worked as the ash wasn't deep or very bad. However, the cooler it gets and with the next two batches the soda ash got worse. My question is that it seems to have softened up my soap that I steamed and I was wondering how long I should wait before packaging it since it still seems a bit soft.

Thanks, I appreciate any and all help. V

No one commented, I have no experience to have any thoughts, but I'm curious how they are now a couple days later?

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"Effective questioning brings insight which fuels curiosity which cultivates wisdom"

I didn't try steaming but I did just take a damp paper towel and wipe the tops of my soaps. It took a tad bit of elbow grease but in the end the soaps looked great. If it made it soft, I would wait at least a week before packaging but I truly don't know since I have not tried this method.

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Haven

Sorry, I older I get the more I tend to procrastinate! I have steamed the ash off my soaps. I like this method if I feel the ash needs to go. I did not notice my soaps getting any softer. I am using a professional steamer so it does not take but a few seconds to actually steam the soap. Usually I steam them wait a day or two (procrastination again) and then wrap.
I am thinking with my Christmas soaps I am going to try spritzing with alcohol. My soaps cure in the basement, so yes it tends to be cooler.

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Susie
Sometimes A Mistake is so much fun, You just have to do it again!

Thank you all for your advice, I think I will wait the week to package. Thanks again! V